Police Constable - National Firearms Instructor - Bedfordshire; Transferee process

Police Constable
- National Firearms Instructor
- Bedfordshire (Transferee process)

Force Bedfordshire Police

Contract Duration:
Permanent

Contract Type:
Full Time

Department:
Joint Protective Services

Location:

Headquarters, Huntingdon;
Headquarters, Kempston, Beds;
Luton Airport

Rank:
Constable

TBC following national pay scale

Competitive and Value Framework (CVF) Level 1

Closing Date: 31/12/2026, 23:55

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police are looking for qualified national firearms instructors to join the firearms training team. The Armed Policing Unit supports 24/7 armed response across all three forces, delivering overt patrols at London Luton Airport. The NFI teams work a two‑week pattern:
Week 1 Monday – Thursday 08:00 – 18:00, Week 2 Tuesday – Friday 08:00 – 18:00. NFI’s receive a targeted variable payment of £2,000 and are required to join the Tactical Advisor on‑call rota.

Officers have exclusive access to a range of vehicles including Volvo XC90s and bespoke vehicles for surveillance operations and CAT A prison escorts. The team maintains armed support for spontaneous armed response, ARV, CBRN incidents and counter‑terrorism duties, frequently supporting national events through mutual aid. Officers also maintain a permanent presence at Luton Airport, attending high‑risk response incidents and policing high‑profile events, supporting visiting royals and dignitaries, and escorting high‑profile prisoners.

• Officer confirmed in rank and outside of probationary period
• Currently working in a Home Office Force
• AFO / ARVO with no outstanding training development needs
• Hold a recognised training qualification at level 3 or above, experience of writing, developing and delivering Firearms Training in line with the National Firearms Curriculum, good working knowledge of APP Armed Policing and NDM
• Advanced driver trained (if only response driver trained, must complete a driving school assessment before appointment)
• No live misconduct investigations and PDR or equivalent to be submitted with the application

Stage 1 – Application – Submit firearms training record to Ian Mann for review by CFI so BCH FTC can advise on any additional training required.

Stage 2 – Professional Discussion – Successful applicants invited to attend a professional discussion with members of the APU SMT.

Stage 3 – Pre‑employment Checks

• Standard transferee process – full vetting and HR related checks.
• Advance driver assessment – must demonstrate potential to pass an advanced driving course within 12 months of joining.
• OHU appointment – Firearms Medical – complete a GP questionnaire and have it signed by your GP.
• Vetting – MV / SC level required.
• JFRT – NFI officers expected to achieve 9.4 on the bleep test.

Stage 4 – Transfer – Successful candidates invited to join the relevant police service. Transferees will be informed of any additional training requirements prior to joining.

Contact:
Insp. 2771 Mann () for queries.

The BCH Vetting Unit may contact your current line manager to complete a Supervisor Appraisal in accordance with the 2025 National Vetting Guidelines.

Supervisor Appraisal may be necessary when:

• Applying to transfer to another force
• Renewing existing vetting clearance
• Moving into a role that requires Management Vetting (MV), even if you currently hold MV clearance
• Moving into or working in a role that involves close contact with vulnerable individuals

This role is high‑risk regarding potential DNA and fingerprint contamination. Successful candidates must provide DNA and fingerprint elimination samples as part of pre‑employment checks, in line with the PSD Biometric Policy.

Bedfordshire Police comply with all relevant equality, diversity and inclusion obligations. All qualified applicants, including those from under‑represented backgrounds, are encouraged to apply.