Firearms unit

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A firearms unit is a specialised, armed unit within each territorial police force in the United Kingdom.^[1] For the most part, the police forces of the United Kingdom are unarmed; however, all have firearms units (the title of which differs between forces) to provide the police force with the capability to deal with armed criminals. A Constable cannot apply to the Firearms Unit without first finishing their two year probationary period with a further two years in a core policing role.^[2]. Firearms Unit is the traditional name for the unit in all forces outside of the capital, while that of London's Metropolitan Police Service is called the Specialist Firearms Command, or CO19. It is sometimes considered the United Kingdom's equivalent to the SWAT units in the United States

Criminals are unlikely to carry firearms due to United Kingdom gun laws, and the presence of an armed officer can be enough to negotiate their surrender. One particular British police force has only had to use a firearm against a suspect once in its entire history.^[3]

Only three forces in the United Kingdom routinely arm officers due to the nature of their work; the Ministry of Defence Police who police all MOD property, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary who guard civil nuclear facilities, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.^[4][5][6]

Contents 1 Organisation, history, training and tactics 1.1 History 1.2 Organisation 1.3 Training 1.4 Tactics 2 Firearms Intelligence Unit 3 Types of firearms officer 4 Weapons used 4.1 Standard weapons (AFO) 4.2 Specialist weapons (SFO) 5 Alternative names for firearms units 6 Firearms units outside the UK 7 See also 8 External links 9 References

[edit] Organisation, history, training and tactics

[edit] History

Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom has been a slow, controversial^[7] and developing process as senior officers wanted their forces to still have the "British Bobby" or Dixon of Dock Green affect on the community. During The Second World War Firearms were only carried on protection duties such as 10 Downing Street, but police were given many firearms in case of invasion. Although they were never taken on general patrol, due to the lack of equipment when issued with a firearm it was usually without a holster to accommodate the weapon^[7], as all available equipment was in huge demand because of the war^[7]. Training for the Webley & Scott Revolvers usually consisted of firing six shots and to pass, it was required that three shots had to be on target although loading of the actual weapon was not taught. Even more so in the after war years when ex service men were in the police as their previous knowledge was thought to suffice. In 1948, after The Second World War. Concerns were aired by the Home Office of the police forces role of another war or nuclear attack, to combat this it was decided that some of the forces would be loaned Sten Guns by the Ministry of Defence and a number of Lee Enfield No4 Mk 2s these along with revolvers and ammunition were kept in secret depots around the United Kingdom so every force had the weapons close and could get access to them when and if the time come.

In the 1960s 70s when police use of firearms become more needed due to developing crime and terrorism, firearms were to be conceled and never to be shown to the public unless drawn from the holster. When the Heckler & Koch MP5 was adopted by police this rule changed as concealment of a sub machine gun is very difficult.

In the event of an "immediate threat to life", high ranking officers such as Chief Inspector or Superintendents could give the order for Authorised Firearms Officers to draw firearms from the safe in the boot of the Armed Response Vehicle. In a less threatening situation, authorisation had to be gained from an on-call senior officer of the Association of chief police officers (ACPO). The difficulty of this authorisation was quickly realised as desired officers were not always available so now^[when?], the decision to draw sub machine guns rest upon each member of the ARV crew, although personal Pistol are carried on the member as a matter of routine.

Before the introduction of Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) and Specialist Firearms Officer (SFO), each police station had a small number of officers trained in the use of firearms, so in theory the could deploy to relevant incidents in that area, but the officers did not patrol full time with firearms they carried out normal policing duties until needed. The actual Firearms Unit was not established until the mid 1980s with the Metropolitan Police Service and other forces soon built upon the idea of the Met. This then brought together all trained officers, under one unit which could then be deployed easier than an assortment based at stations. The Armed Response Vehicles were not introduced in London until 1991. The Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit has had many name changes, when devised it was named D6 then changed to D11, then later PT17 for Personnel and Training, later to that when Specialist Operations units were devised, it was renamed SO19, when "SO" was phased out, its designation changed to Central Operations and now the units official name rests as CO19, or Specialist Firearms Command.

[edit] Organisation

In large forces, the Firearms Unit is headed by a Chief Superintendent, a Superintendent, a Chief Inspector with two Inspectors, and four Sergeants with about thirty-eight Constables. In smaller forces the Firearms Unit is headed by a Superintendent, Chief Inspector, an Inspector, four Sergeants^[7] and twenty five to thirty Constables.

Firearms units maintain a pool of specialist tactical advisors to train new recruits, and to utilise^[7] a planning capability for pre planned firearms operations and VIP protection.^[8] The Firearms Units in the UK are predominantly used for the arrest of armed criminals in official raids, and responding to incidents where firearms are suspected to be involved. SFOs in a small minority of forces (notably the Metropolitan Police Service's CO19) receive enhanced training in dynamic entry tactics for hostage rescue.^[9]

Each force operates Armed Response Vehicle system that are crewed by AFOs. These vehicles constantly patrol an area, as this reduces deployment time because an armed incident must be responded to rapidly. Most forces use Volvo V70s as ARVs which are also used by Road Policing Units, although the Metropolitan Police Service uses BMW Area Cars adapted for specialist duty usage.^[10]

Also Road Policing Unit (Who are responsible for policing of the United Kingdom Motorways) Operate "Traffic ARVs" as these are needed on the motorways because fleeing offenders would commonly try to escape by the use of motorways. Until needed for firearms incidents they carry out normal Road Policing duties.

Within the Metropolitan Police Service, Armed Response Vehicles carry three officers - an Advanced Driver, a Navigator and an Observer who is in charge of scene assessment and liaises with other units, such as the London Ambulance Service. They act as a communications bridge between other services at the incident and can also request more officers if the need arises. Although ARVs excluding the capital are only crewed by two AFOs instead of three (The observer is a fully trained navigator), Metropolitan Police ARVs have the call sign "Trojan". Armed Response Vehicles can be identified by a circular yellow sticker on the body of the vehicle.

Metropolitan Police Service Firearms Officers (CO19) Will commonly be present on foot more than other county forces due to the large geographic area they are responsible^[7] for as obviously the capital is large, and the large volume of security needed to police the capital. They are present at major demonstrations, and large social events such as the Chinese New Year. Officers of the Diplomatic Protection Group will be armed as they guard high risk buildings such as foreign embassies, 10 Downing Street, Palace of Westminster and Buckingham Palace.^[11]

Armed officers can also be seen in hospitals, if the person there is a victim of gun crime and it is deemed a possibility that they are still in danger from further attacks. The Senior Investigative Officer will apply to the Force Firearms Unit to have an AFO guard them.

[edit] Training

In England out of the 39 Territorial Police Forces, 6,000 officers out of the 142,000 are trained in the use of firearms. Around 2000 of them are with the Metropolitan Police Service.^[12]

Armed Police can only open fire upon the target when an immediate threat to life is present, for example if an armed offender aimed a firearm at a member of the public or an officer that would constitute as such a threat.^[13] Also a clear, loud warning must be given to the offender in all circumstances. This is rarely overruled if the officer has had prior intelligence from FIU or the Security Service that the subject is about to commit a terrorism related offence, then the order is given that shots can be fired without warning. But all the officers actions must be justified in a Court of Law when the enquiry follows. They are only to shoot once at the central mass then the situation is reassessed by the officer on the risk that they now pose and whether to fire again. In response to the 7 July 2005 London bombings the order was given that police firearms officers "shoot to kill" instead of aiming at the central mass to incapacitate.

Training to enter the Firearms Unit is one of the most rigorous training regimes in the modern UK Police Service^[14] Officers have to undergo a selection process to filter out those deemed unsuitable for the role, they also have mental checks to determine whether they are mentally fit to carry a firearm.

[edit] Tactics

When a hostage situation arises, the Authorised Firearms Officers from an ARV first on the scene will attempt to contain the suspect if they are inside a building, if in the open and an immediate threat to bystanders a quicker solutuion is made. Before Specialist Firearms Officers can arrive the ARV officers would set up an inner and outer cordon, the inner is made up of armed officers and the outer of unarmed usually to prevent journalists and bystanders from gaining entry^[7]. The United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF), most commonly the Special Air Service, will be put on standby. If it is not deemed necessary for an assault by the SAS, Specialist Firearms Officers will do so instead. As soon as a hostage situation presents itself an Oberservation Point (OP)is allocated with a Marksman in. Then a Deliberate Action Plan (DAP) will be devised, briefing each member in full about the entry points and details of the assault. Negotiations are made allowing the hostage takers to issue demands - although commonly these are made to acquire time and avoid harm to the hostages. The negotiations will be attended by a psychological profiler in order to asses the hostage taker's state of mind and if their objective really is for a purpouse or they are just forced into it by fleeing from the police for example^[7]. Only when negotiations fail will an assault by either the SAS or Specialist Firearms Officers take place.

During an assault, "Ferret" (Canisters of CS gas) rounds are fired through windows to concuss and soften any resistance^[7]. Before a team enters a room Stun Grenades are thrown in, after this the actual assault team enter.^[7] The "Shield Man" who carries a heavy ballistic shield to cover the team from being fired upon, the second man who is nicknamed the "Stick Man" would be armed with a large baton to engage any unarmed offenders^[7]. Then the Door breaching or Method of Entry Specialist would be responsible for opening barricaded doors usually armed with a Shotgun (Remington 870)^[7]. Then the "Cover man" who would protect the other team members as they go about their jobs, then the "Prisoner reception" who is responsible for handling prisoners^[7]. And finally the team leader which is usually a Sergeant^[7]. After the Firearms officers has made the premises safe, and is clear of offenders, forensics Scenes of Crimes Officers will gather evidence to build a picture of what happened and who fired which shots etc. After this the officers make their weapons and the offenders safe and seal them in evidence bags so they can be examined and used in court, after this the officers directly involved in any assault are entitled to a twenty-four hour rest period before regaining duties, arranging court dates and giving statements.

[edit] Firearms Intelligence Unit

Most notably the Metropolitan Police Service operate an FIU to gather intelligence about known criminals who carry firearms as a matter of routine. Because they are usually drug dealers, armed robbers or gang members. Also they gather intelligence about incidents where Firearms are involved or likely to be the FIU gather such intelligence so Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) crew have an idea about the size and expected weaponry of the situation.

These officers are a branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) work in unison with AFO's and SFO's providing them with intelligence. The most notable FIU Operation is Operation Trident designed to cut down shootings in London's black community.

[edit] Types of firearms officer

• Authorised Firearms Officer are trained in all weapons issued to his/her police force as well as battlefield medicine, which includes the treatment of gunshot wounds. They also crew Armed Response Vehicles.

• Specialist Firearms Officer are qualified as an AFO, with extra training within a specific area, such as specialist weapons, Close Protection, Tactical Medicine, Tactics Advice, Advanced Police Driving or Police Firearms Instruction, and are commonly the firearms officers to assault a building in a hostage situation.

[edit] Weapons used

[edit] Standard weapons (AFO)

Firearms in service vary between forces in the UK as individual Chief Constables and Police Authorities retain considerable independence. Kent Constabulary, for instance, require potential AFOs to have been trained in:

Despite being armed, Authorised Firearms Officers still carry the standard issue telescopic baton, CS/PAVA Incapacitant spray and Hiatts Speedcuffs, instead of wearing a stab proof vest a ballistic one is worn. Specialist Firearms Officers normally wear fire retardent overalls when on duty and may or may not carry batons, incapacitant Spray etc depending on the nature of their tasking.

• German Heckler & Koch MP5 (semi-automatic carbine) [1]
• Austrian Steyr AUG (Semi Automatic Carbine, some forces issue the AUG instead of the H&K MP5)^[7]
• German Heckler & Koch G3 (assault rifle, used as sniper)
• German Heckler & Koch G36 (semi-automatic carbine) [2]
• Austrian Glock 17 (pistol)[3]
• Swiss/German Sig Sauer P226 (Pistol) [4]
• German Heckler & Koch Baton Gun - less lethal option (fires a large rubber bullet)[5]
• American Taser International X26 (stun gun)[6]

Officers may also be trained in the use of equivalent weapons.^[15]

[edit] Specialist weapons (SFO)

These weapons are commonly used by SFOs when a siege situation occurs.

Fully automatic weapons can be granted for special use in hostage rescue situations.

• American Remington 870 (shotgun) mainly used for door breaching, never for shooting target[7]
• German Heckler & Koch PSG1 (sniper rifle)^[7][16]
• Heckler & Koch German MSG90A1 (sniper rifle) ^[7][16]
• American Riflecraft TMR1 (sniper rifle) ^[7]
• Austrian Steyer 7.62mm (sniper rifle) ^[7]
• German Heckler & Koch MP5K (semi-automatic carbine) ^[7]
• German Heckler & Koch 93 (sniper rifle) [8]
• German Heckler & Koch SD (semi-automatic carbine, Suppressor fitted version of the conventional MP5)
• German Heckler & Koch G36 (assault rifle)
• British L1A1 CS Gas Launcher (launches projectiles of irritant gas; "CS" or "PAVA") ^[7]

[edit] Alternative names for firearms units

• Devon and Cornwall Constabulary: Tactical Aid Group
• Metropolitan Police Service: Specialist Firearms Command Previously SO19 now CO19
• Kent Constabulary: Training and Tactical Firearms Unit
• City of London Police: Tactical Firearms Unit

[edit] Firearms units outside the UK

Specialized armed police units exist even for police agencies where officers are generally armed. Possibly most famous of these specialized units is the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, in many American cities. Other examples include Australia's Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS) and the Special Tactics and Rescue force in Singapore.

[edit] See also

• Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom

[edit] External links

The external links in this article may not follow Wikipedia's content policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links.

• Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit
• Armed Law Inforcement
• Sussex Police Firearms Unit
• Devon & Cornwall COnstabulary Firearms unit
• Thames Valley Police Firearms Unit
• Tayside Police Firearms Unit
• Lancashire Constabulary Firearms Unit
• Guardian Newspaper Article
• Ministry of Defence Police
• Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Civil Nuclear Constabulary
• Armed Response Vehicle
• Kent Police Firearms Unit
• Surrey Police Firearms Unit
• Independant Newspaper article
• Diplomatic Protection Group
• Metropolitan Police Vehicles
• Police use of Firearms
• Defunct SO19 in action

[edit] References