SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation has questioned where extra firearms police officers will come from – after a fanfare Government announcement about \u201cnew\u201d gun cops.<\/p>\n
Police forces in England and Wales are starting to train around 1,500 extra firearms officers to help protect the public from terrorism \u2013 but the officers will come from existing police service strength.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government’s announcement on increased numbers of AFOs is welcome news,\u201d said Jim Lucas, Secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation. \u201cBut with a big question mark.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAs 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?<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I say it’s good news, but as we know it needs funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout the funding and increase in numbers I can’t see how forces can do it without removing officers from other vital posts. It\u2019s another matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Home Office is providing \u00a3143 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The majority of these will be deployed in highly mobile, rapid reaction teams \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council lead for Armed Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman says: \u201cOver 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis additional uplift will ensure we are in an even stronger position to respond quickly and effectively to protect the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAny increase in armed police officers could be a good thing, but not if it depletes the front line,\u201d said Che Donald, lead on firearms for the Police Federation of England and Wales. \u201cBearing in mind that police levels are at the lowest we\u2019ve seen in decades, the question must be asked \u2013 where will these extra firearms officers come from?\u201d<\/p>\n