Firearms unit
2604816
226008401
2008-07-16T12:33:38Z
Police,Mad,Jack
5040514
/* Standard weapons (AFO) */ Change weapon
[[Image:Police armed uk.jpg|thumb|right|[[Authorised Firearms Officer]]s wearing body armour, both armed with [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] [[Carbine]]s and [[Glock 17]] [[Handgun|Pistol]]s]]
A '''firearms unit''' is a specialised, armed unit within each [[territorial police force]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>[http://www.global-defence.com/2003/police_03.htm Metropolitan Police Force's Firearms Unit<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> For the most part, the [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom|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 [[Police Officer]] cannot apply to the Firearms Unit without first finishing their two year [[Probation (workplace)|probationary period]] with a further two years in a core policing role.<ref>[http://www.tayside.police.uk/firearms.php Tayside Police - Specialist Units - Firearms<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. 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. Within the [[News media|media]] it is sometimes compered to the [[SWAT]] units of the [[United States]].
Criminals are unlikely to carry firearms due to [[Gun politics in the United Kingdom|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/UNDERZONE/about-us/specialist-firearms.htm |title=Underzone - Police specialists - Firearms officers |accessdate=2008-02-20 }}</ref>
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 [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MOD]] property, the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] who guard civil [[Nuclear energy policy|nuclear]] facilities, and the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]].<ref>[http://www.modpoliceofficers.co.uk/default.asp Ministry of Defence Police - Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.psni.police.uk/ Welcome to the Police Service of Northern Ireland<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.cnc.police.uk/ Civil Nuclear Constabulary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Organisation, history, training and tactics ==
===History===
Police use of firearms in the [[United Kingdom]] has been a slow, controversial<ref name="waldren">{{cite book |title= Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= 2007 |publisher= Sutton |location= England |isbn= 0750946377 |pages= 224}}</ref> and developing process, usually because senior officers strived for their forces to retain the "British Bobby" or [[Dixon of Dock Green]] affect within the community. During [[The Second World War]] [[Firearm]]s were only carried on protection duties such as [[10 Downing Street]], however, police were supplied with 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<ref name="waldren"/>, as all available equipment was in huge demand because of the war<ref name="waldren"/>. In the after-war years, training for the [[Webley & Scott]] [[revolver]] usually consisted of firing six shots. To pass, it was required that three shots had to be on target. Loading of the actual weapon was not usually taught, particularly in the years immediately following the Second World War, when the police had an influx of ex-servicemen joining, and their previous knowledge was thought to suffice.
In 1948, concerns were aired by the [[Home Office]] over the police forces' role if there were to be another war or the new threat of nuclear attack, it was decided that some of the central forces would be loaned [[sten gun|Sten]] sub-machine guns by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and a number of [[Lee-Enfield|Lee Enfield]] No4 Mk 2 bolt action rifles. These, along with [[revolver]]s and [[ammunition]], were kept in secret depots around the United Kingdom so that every force had the weapons close and could get access to them if they were required.<ref name="waldren"/>
In the 1960s and 1970s, the police use of firearms become more prevalent due to developing nature of armed crime and terrorism. Firearms were usually concealed from the public unless drawn, although when the Heckler & Koch MP5 was adopted by police, the size of the weapon meant that this rule had to be changed, allowing armed officers to openly carry their firearms.
In the event of an "immediate threat to life", a high ranking [[police officer|officer]] such as [[Chief Inspector]] or [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]]s can give the order for Authorised Firearms Officers to draw firearms from the secure cabinet in the boot of the Armed Response Vehicle. In a less threatening situation, authorisation has 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 rests upon each member of the ARV crew, although personal [[sidearms]] are carried on the member as a matter of routine. Intervention from Specialist Firearms Officers requires authorisation from the Home Office before the [[Chief Constable]] of the force can deploy them.
Before the introduction of [[Authorised Firearms Officer]] (AFO) and [[Specialist Firearms Officer]] (SFO), each large [[police station]] had a small number of 'authorised shots' (as they was then called), 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 as part of the [[Metropolitan Police Service]], and was later formed in other forces outside of London. After the formation of the firearms unit, all trained officers in a single force were brought together under one unit which could then be deployed more easily than an assortment based at stations. [[Armed Response Vehicle]]s were not introduced in [[London]] until 1991.
The Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit has had many name changes, when first devised it was named D6, before being changed to D11, later it changed to 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 was replaced by [[Central Operations]] and [[as of 2008]], the unit's official name is [[CO19]], or Specialist Firearms Command.
===Organisation===
In large forces, the Firearms Unit is headed by a [[Chief Superintendent]], a [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]], a [[Chief Inspector]] with two [[Inspector]]s, and four [[Sergeant]]s with about thirty-eight [[Constable]]s. In smaller forces the Firearms Unit is headed by a Superintendent, Chief Inspector, an Inspector, four Sergeants<ref name="waldren"/> and twenty five to thirty Constables.
Firearms units maintain a pool of specialist tactical advisors to train new recruits, and to utilise<ref name="waldren"/> a planning capability for pre planned firearms operations and VIP protection.<ref>[http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/about/departm/codiv/operdept/fu.htm Firearms Unit - Operations Department - Devon & Cornwall Constabulary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 crisis|hostage rescue]].<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/co19/training.htm Metropolitan Police Service - Central Operations, Specialist Firearms unit (CO19)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Each force operates an [[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 V70]]s as ARVs which are also used by [[Road Policing Unit]]s, although the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] uses [[BMW]] Area Cars adapted for specialist duty usage.<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/mpds/vehicles.htm Metropolitan Police Service - Driving School<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Traffic police units are responsible for policing of the [[United Kingdom]] [[motorway]]s, and operate "Traffic ARVs" to pursue fleeing offenders who commonly try to escape by the use of motorways. When not needed for firearms incidents, the traffic police 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. However, 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", making it easier to identify an ARV while communicating by the use of radios. Armed Response Vehicles can also 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<ref name="waldren"/> for, as obviously the capital is large, and the volume of security needed to police the capital is commonly larger than other cities. 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]].<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/co/protection.htm Metropolitan Police Service - Central Operations<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Armed officers can also be seen in [[hospital]]s, 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.
===Training===
In England out of the 39 [[Territorial police force]]s, 6,000 officers of the 142,000 nationally are trained in the use of firearms. Around 2000 of them are with the Metropolitan Police Service.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/10/nlogo410.xml Britain may call on foreign armed police - Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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.<ref>[http://www.westmercia.police.uk/publications/acpopoliceuseoffirearms.htm West Mercia Constabulary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 [[torso|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<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/co19/ Metropolitan Police Service - Central Operations, Specialist Firearms unit (CO19)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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.
===Tactics===
[[Image:British Armed Police.jpg|140px|thumb|right|CO19 officers cordoning an area of [[Mayfair]]]]
When a hostage situation arises, the [[Authorised Firearms Officer]]s 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 sought. If the situation in a building requires specialist entry due to barricades, marksman trained officers or other means of speciality, Specialist Firearms Officers would be called upon if this is the case 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<ref name="waldren"/>. 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 Special Forces, [[Specialist Firearms Officer]]s will do so instead. As soon as a hostage situation presents itself an Oberservation Point (OP)is allocated with a Marksman within. 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<ref name="waldren"/>. Only when negotiations deteriorate so much, that it is deemed the hostage taker would injure the hostages, will an assault by either the SAS or [[Specialist Firearms Officer]]s take place.
During an assault, "Ferret" (Canisters of [[CS gas]]) rounds are fired through windows to concuss and soften any resistance<ref name="waldren"/>. Before a team enters a room, Stun [[Grenades]] are thrown in, after this the actual assault team enter.<ref name="waldren"/> 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<ref name="waldren"/>. Then the [[Door breaching]] or Method of Entry Specialist would be responsible for opening barricaded doors usually armed with a [[Shotgun]] ([[Remington 870]])<ref name="waldren"/>. 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<ref name="waldren"/>. And finally the team leader which is usually a [[Sergeant]]<ref name="waldren"/>. 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.
== 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]].
== 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 Vehicle]]s.
* [[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.
== Weapons used ==
===Standard weapons (AFO)===
Firearms in service vary between forces in the UK as individual [[Chief Constable]]s and [[Police authority|Police Authorities]] retain considerable independence.
Despite being armed, Authorised Firearms Officers still carry the standard issue telescopic [[Club (law enforcement)|baton]], [[CS gas|CS]]/[[Nonivamide|PAVA]] [[Lachrymatory agent|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. All of the weapons described here are used by [[territorial police force]]s firearms unit.
The following is commonly standard issue to [[Authorised Firearms Officer]]s:
* German [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] ([[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] [[carbine]]) [http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
* Austrian [[Steyr AUG]] (Semi Automatic Carbine, some forces issue the AUG instead of the H&K MP5)<ref name="waldren"/>
* German [[Heckler & Koch G3]] ([[assault rifle]], used as sniper)
* German [[Heckler & Koch G36]] (semi-automatic carbine) [http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
* Austrian [[Glock 17]] ([[Handgun|pistol]])[http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
* Swiss/German [[Sig Sauer P226]] (Pistol) [http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread153344/pg2]
* German [[Riot gun|Heckler & Koch 69 "Baton Gun"]] - less lethal option (fires a large [[rubber bullet]])[http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
* American [[Taser International]] X26 (stun gun)[http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
===Non-Home office police standard firearms===
* British [[SA80]] (Assualt rifle) - [[Ministry of Defence Police]]<ref name="waldren"/>
* German [[Heckler & Koch MP7]] ([[Personal defence weapon]]) - Ministry of Defence Police<ref name="waldren"/>
* Belgian/American [[Browning Hi-Power|Browning High Power L9A1]] (Pistol) - [[Royal Military Police]], Ministry of Defence Police.<ref name="waldren"/>
Officers may also be trained in the use of equivalent weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html|title=Kent Police Training and Tactical Firearms Unit|quote=Candidates must be currently authorised firearms officers (AFO) within their own force and have completed training compliant with the National Police Training Curriculum to qualify them in the use of: H&K G36 and MP5 Carbines, Glock 17 or 19 Self Loading Pistol, H&K Baton Gun, X26 Taser, Remington 870 Shotgun, or equivalent weapons.}}</ref>
===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.
The following is commonly standard issue to [[Specialist Firearms Officer]]s:
* American [[Remington 870]] ([[shotgun]]) mainly used for [[door breaching]], never for shooting target[http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html]
* German [[Heckler & Koch PSG1]] ([[sniper rifle]])<ref name="waldren"/><ref name="collins">{{cite book |title= The Good Guys Wear Black |last= Collins |first= Steve |coauthors= |year= 1998 |publisher= Arrow Books Ltd; New Ed edition |location= England |isbn= 978-0099186823|pages= 256 pages}}</ref>
* Heckler & Koch German MSG90A1 (sniper rifle) <ref name="waldren"/><ref name="collins"/>
* American Riflecraft TMR1 (sniper rifle) <ref name="waldren"/>
* Austrian [[Steyr Mannlicher|Steyer]] [[7.62mm]] (sniper rifle) <ref name="waldren"/>
* German [[Heckler & Koch MP5|Heckler & Koch MP5K]] (semi-automatic carbine) <ref name="waldren"/>
* German [[Heckler & Koch 93]] (sniper rifle) [http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread153344/pg2]
* 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 gas|CS]]" or "PAVA") <ref name="waldren"/>
== Alternative names for firearms units ==
* [[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]]: Tactical Aid Group
* [[Metropolitan Police Service]]: Specialist Firearms Command Previously SO19 now [[CO19]]
* [[Kent Police|Kent Constabulary]]: Training and Tactical Firearms Unit
* [[City of London Police]]: Tactical Firearms Unit
== Firearms units outside the UK ==
Specialized armed police units exist even in police agencies where officers are routinely armed. Possibly the best known of these are the [[SWAT|Special Weapons and Tactics]] (SWAT) teams of many [[United States|American]] police services. Other examples include [[Australia]]'s [[Special Weapons and Operations Squad]] (SWOS) and the [[Special Tactics and Rescue (Singapore)|Special Tactics and Rescue]] force in [[Singapore]]. These units are not intended to deal with routine firearms related incidents, as these are handled by divisional officers as they carry a firearm as a matter of routine. These units are normally only called when firearms incidents are of such a nature that they are beyonf the capabilities of divisional officers. The "Firearms Units" within the United Kingdom are different because they respond to all firearms related calls as few other personnel carry firearms.<ref name="waldren"/>
== See also==
*[[Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom]]
==External links==
* [http://www.global-defence.com/2003/police_03.htm Armed Law Inforcement]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/nov/04/ukguns.ukcrime Guardian Newspaper Article]
* [http://www.lancashire.police.uk/index.php?id=1212 Armed Response Vehicle]
*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hundreds-more-armed-police-to-join-londons-terror-fight-501825.html Independent Newspaper article]
* [http://www.westmercia.police.uk/publications/acpopoliceuseoffirearms.htm Police use of Firearms]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6497417972412615851 Defunct SO19 in action]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Law enforcement units]]
[[Category:Police units of the United Kingdom]]