Which magic hat do we pull a number of AFOs from?

SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation has questioned where extra firearms police officers will come from – after a fanfare Government announcement about “new” gun cops.

Police forces in England and Wales are starting to train around 1,500 extra firearms officers to help protect the public from terrorism – but the officers will come from existing police service strength.

“The Government’s announcement on increased numbers of AFOs is welcome news,” said Jim Lucas, Secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation. “But with a big question mark.”

He added: “As it is we are losing police officer numbers as part of police reform. How does the force resource this? Which magic hat do the force pull a number of AFOs from?

“As I say it’s good news, but as we know it needs funding.

“Without the funding and increase in numbers I can’t see how forces can do it without removing officers from other vital posts. It’s another matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

The Home Office is providing £143 million of new funding to assist forces in areas of greatest risk. The money is on top of that already pledged by individual chief constables to increase the number of armed officers under their command.

In total around 1,000 officers will be trained and equipped as a result of the Government grant, which will be spread over five years.

The majority of these will be deployed in highly mobile, rapid reaction teams – on patrol and ready to react 24/7. Other officers will receive even more specialised training to deal with a wider range of terrorism threats. They will be based in major cities outside London, adding to the numbers of existing counter terrorism teams.

Individual forces are also making more money available to increase their overall numbers of authorised firearms users. This will result in a further 500 who are locally funded.

The recruitment and training programme for new officers is already underway. Numbers completing the courses will increase incrementally with most qualifying within a year, and all by April 2018.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Armed Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman says: “Over recent years we have significantly enhanced the training, tactics and weaponry of armed officers to ensure that they are capable of dealing with all types of terrorist attacks. We have also delivered enhanced capability across all emergency services to deliver an effective joint response.

“This additional uplift will ensure we are in an even stronger position to respond quickly and effectively to protect the public.”

“Any increase in armed police officers could be a good thing, but not if it depletes the front line,” said Che Donald, lead on firearms for the Police Federation of England and Wales. “Bearing in mind that police levels are at the lowest we’ve seen in decades, the question must be asked – where will these extra firearms officers come from?”