Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO)

This profile has recently been updated to include the CVF 2024 and core skills, and the new version can be found on College Learn by entering the Profile title in the search function. Please note this profile is out of date and is in the process of being reviewed.

An Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) is a police officer who has been selected, trained, accredited and authorised by a Chief Officer to carry a firearm operationally.

Please note that this profile is intended to provide a generic baseline of various AFO roles (e.g. Rifle Officer, Specialist Firearms Officer, Armed Response Vehicle Officer).

• Respond to conflict situations using a range of tactical options, assessing the threat to determine a proportionate response in line with legislation, policy and guidance.
• Assess the immediacy and proximity of threat in order to make operational decisions for the protection of life.
• Apply the National Decision Model to manage their response to a situation in a reasonable and proportionate way.
• Justify the proportionate and lawful use of force in line with legal accountabilities.
• Understand their role within the context of the wider police operation to support the achievement of operational strategies and priorities for action.
• Gather and handle information and intelligence from a variety of sources, to assess threat in line with legislation, policies and guidance to take the appropriate action.
• Provide public reassurance when deployed within communities.
• Provide medical aid commensurate with training as required to preserve life.

Prior education and experience:

• Trained to the national common standard for all specific AFO roles in which they are operationally deployable.
• Passed relevant medical and fitness tests (annual requirement)

Skills:

• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others.
• Able to produce concise statements or other documents.
• Skilled in the use of standard or user specific IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.
• Able to use resources efficiently in own role in accordance with procedures, policy and guidance.
• Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
• Able to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes and mitigate risks.
• Able to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.
• Able to review own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
• Competent with a range of weapons and tactical equipment appropriate to the role.
  Competent in the provision of ballistic first aid.
• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
• Understanding of post deployment procedures.
• Able to act with discretion and emotional intelligence to manage conflict and defuse difficult situations.
• Able to apply procedures and legislation in line with policy and guidance.
• Able to respond appropriately to vulnerable persons.
• Understanding of other armed policing roles.
• Understanding of firearms, ammunition, ballistics, protection characteristics and capabilities.
• Competent in a range of tactical options commensurate with their AFO role (s).

• Undertake mandatory refresher training in all modules and units of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) in accordance with, or relevant to the role.
• Undertake additional mandatory refresher training as determined by your force or agency.
• Annually meet health and fitness standards relevant to the role.

• See CPD Section

• NPoCC Mercury Profile: Authorised Firearms Officer – 89 – v2