Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Operations Command
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Rank - Police Constable
Location - See Advert
In line with the published Posting and Tenure guidance, operational requirements will always be considered prior to confirming posting dates to successful applicants.
The Role
Applications are invited from Police Constables to join a pool of officers in preparation to join the Tactical Firearms Unit as an Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) officer.
ARV officers work from Lewes and Gatwick and work a shift pattern of 2 earlies, 2 lates, 2 nights, 4 RD’s. A variation of this pattern is contained within this to allow for mandatory training once a month instead of lates where earlies and nights revert to 12 hour shifts to cover. TFU recognise the need for flexible working and will consider all applications, however they must incorporate all mandatory training days.
ARV officers work alongside our Ops Command colleagues with their primary role being to respond to Spontaneous Firearms Incidents (SFI’s) and threat to life incidents. Intel led and proactive policing are also a core part of our role.
The nature of this role requires applicants to evidence their self-motivation, ability to make decisions under pressure, enthusiasm and communication skills as befit this very diverse environment. Physical fitness and wellbeing is vital to this role and role related fitness tests do form part of both the selection process and initial firearms course. We recognise not everyone will be confident in their own fitness, but thanks to support from staff safety and our own firearms instructor team we can arrange for pre-selection practice sessions which can be 1 to 1 and include guidance on training to get yourself to the required level.
Successful applicants will be required to complete a twelve week initial firearms course which runs Monday to Friday from Gatwick although most of the training will be conducted at Kingstanding. Weeks 2 & 3 are residential, and we would consider splitting the course into modules to accommodate flexible working. The course will deliver all of the specialist firearms skills required to become an ARV Officer. Upon completion of the course officers will be posted to either Gatwick or Lewes dependent on operational need / current vacancies. As operational need arises the opportunity to transfer between either location will be available.
A change to the national role profile has been made requiring all ARV officers to be CBRN trained by 2023, this will eventually be included within initial training however for the upcoming courses you will more than likely pick this up in continuation training with whichever team you are posted to.
If an Officer is unsuccessful on the course, a professional discussion involving the training department will be held to explore options for further development with TFU, and an opportunity to attend a 2nd course may be given. Unsuccessful officers will go to response on division.
It has also been agreed within the region that a financial retention package may be available to all firearms officers after 12 months service on the TFU.
Key Responsibilities
Delivering Armed policing in accordance with Authorised Professional Practice and delivering general policing skills.
Provide armed policing and support to Operations Command as part of the collaboration between Surrey and Sussex, in addition to attending -
• Spontaneous firearms incidents
• Any incident where there is an immediate threat to life or injury
• Force, Operations Command and Divisional tasking/ DPA
• Support to RPU with national campaigns e.g. mobile phones / speed checks
• High visibility overt armed patrols in crowded places / large public events
Skills & Experience
We are looking for highly motivated individuals with a "can do" attitude always willing to make the right decision for the right reasons who can work as part of a team.
Completed Probationary period (if officers are within 3 months of their sign off – they can be recommended by the division/department, but will not be able to attend ARV course until formal probation sign off has been done)
Standard / Response Driver
Self-Motivated Effective Communicator
Able to perform under pressure
Work individually and as part of a Team
Contact Details
For further information please contact;
Insp James Scott - James.scott1@sussex.police.uk - 07912894829
PS Andy Bell - andrew.bell@sussex.police.uk - 07912893194
PC Georgina English - georgina.english@sussex.police.uk - 07912897411
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional Information
It is really important that you inform and seek support from your line manager of your intention to submit an application for this role as this allows for sufficient resource planning. Failure to inform your line manager may result in a delay in a release dates being agreed.
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
- if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment
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