Authorised Firearms Officer; AFO Transferee Constable

Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) Transferee Constable

Warwickshire is recruiting Armed Response Vehicle Officers to the Operational Firearms Unit.

• We are seeking transferees for PC Authorised Firearms Officers (trained to ARV role profile) at our Leek Wootton Police HQ.
• AFO’s in Warwickshire Police work a 4 on 4 off shift pattern for 8 weeks followed by a 2-week training period.
• Salary £31,164- £50,256
• All AFOs will receive a one-off payment of £1,000 on successful transfer to Warwickshire Police.
• In addition, all AFO’s currently receive an annual targeted variable payment (reviewed annually, £1,500 last year).
• All OFCs receive an additional annual targeted variable payment in recognition of the command role (reviewed annually, £750 last year).
• Officers benefit from use of the gym facilities.
• There are opportunities for role progression as a PC OFC, close protection officer and a National Firearms Instructor depending on availability and subject to selection process.
• Advanced driving grade is desirable (but not essential) and officers will be able to apply for TPAC training (if not already accredited) once in post.

This is an exciting role for AFO’s providing an armed policing function to the large county of Warwickshire with a split of rural and urban communities.

Warwickshire police covers a large section of the strategic road network and borders the West Midlands Policing area with large population areas. As an ARVO in Warwickshire you will work in the Operational Patrol Unit based at Warwickshire Police HQ, Leek Wootton.

We are looking for officers who hold the AFO role profile including newly qualified AFO’s who wish to transfer into Warwickshire. The ARV’s are responsible for providing a response to armed incidents within the county and to provide support to other functions, such as roads policing, OCG enforcement and pro‑active policing via intel and ANPR based patrols.

As a smaller force with a limited number of armed assets available you are likely to be deployed to all armed incidents that occur during your tour of duty as well as providing support to planned deployments. Warwickshire Police operate a voluntary call‑out function to provide contingencies to armed operations. The role is varied, and you will not be restricted from supporting other policing areas, whether this be planned arrests of dangerous offenders or providing tactical options for pursuits and county lines offenders.

Warwickshire Police will provide opportunities to develop your skills and training either within the firearms role or wider policing functions to support your career. This includes OFC roles, instructing if you aspire to become a National Firearms Instructor, close protection or promotion development programmes.

Additional Payments

AFOs who are qualified and deployable and meet the required criteria will be eligible for a Target Variable Payment (TVP) of £1,500 per annum. Similarly, trained and deployable OFCs meeting the necessary criteria will receive an additional TVP of £750 per annum. These payments are subject to annual review.

We are keen to increase the current OFC establishment and will recognise this critical skill by offering a TVP.

Alongside leading your team in both planned and spontaneous incidents, you will get excellent training and CPD opportunities.

You will join an enthusiastic team that trains and works together. Warwickshire is a supportive environment where the vital AFO/OFC role is recognised as critical to the organisation. We work a 10 week, 5‑shift system on a 4 on 4 off pattern of 12‑hour shifts for 8 weeks with 2 weeks of Monday to Thursday 8‑hour shifts dedicated to maintaining your mandatory training hours.

The 5th shift provides the opportunity for teams to train together and when there is no training it is an opportunity for proactive policing and supporting campaigns. The training calendar is tailored to provide interesting and stimulating training locations and we utilise excellent range facilities with one of our partners.

Also, AFO’s have access to Force Gyms and there is an active Sports & Social Club across the Force. Warwickshire Police is aware that officers may require a degree…