The posting
Job Description
Are you an experienced Armed Response Vehicle Officer currently serving, or have previously served in a Home Office Force? Are you looking for greater opportunities to apply your specialist firearms training and take on a new challenge?
We are now recruiting for our February 2027 Firearms Transferee intake, and we are interested in hearing from experienced Armed Response Vehicle Officers and Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers, who are motivated to utilise their skills in a dynamic and rewarding environment.
About the Role
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and hard-working individuals to join our team where in return, we can offer you the opportunity to use and develop the skills you have been trained in. You will be joining a fair and inclusive team, based near Birmingham City Centre, where we serve in one of Europe’s most diverse and challenging policing environments.
West Midlands Police Firearms Operations Unit is structured with Armed Response Vehicle Team’s working a 24/7 shift pattern, Tactical Firearms Team and a nationally accredited training department.
West Midlands firearms officers undertake a large volume of both spontaneous and pre-planned armed deployments each year, and as such are one of the busiest Firearms units in the country. This is not a dual role function, but firearms officers are tasked to support force tactical priorities including the targeting of Serious Organised Criminality and volume crime.
There are a number of developmental and career progression opportunities within the department, to include: Firearms Tactical Advisor, Operational Firearms Commander, National Firearms Instructor, Close Protection Officer. As part of the national armed policing network, we offer a pathway towards Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer roles (CTSFO).
CTSFO roles currently attract a targeted variable payment in support of recruitment and retention - this can be varied or removed at the discretion of the Chief Constable.
Recruitment Process:
- Career discussion with Firearms Inspector via Microsoft Teams
- Firearms medical health and assessment screening
- Fitness test: Arranged by Transferee Team
- Qualification shoot (Wednesday 9th December & Wednesday 16th December) - Candidates must be available for either of these dates. No alternative dates are available and failure to attend will result in automatic removal from the process.
- Vetting and pre-employment checks
- Start date: 01/02/2027
- After transfer, a WMP conversion course commencing on the 08/02/2027.
Eligibility Criteria:
To apply, all applicants must:
- Be a serving (or have served) with a Home Office Force;
- Be an Armed Response Vehicle Officer, Specialist Firearms Officer or a CT Specialist Firearms Officer or trained to the National ARV Role Profile Standard in-line with the current National Police Firearms Training Curriculum;
- Be able to pass the 15-metre JRFT to bleep level 9.4 to 10.5, dependent on role profile;
- Be able to provide a fully auditable training record;
- Be able to pass the necessary vetting and medical health and assessment screening;
- Have no outstanding discipline or integrity issues.
Expectations of the Applicant:
- Immediate action of onboarding tasks to ensure availability to start at the required start date
- Vetting and Medical forms completed and returned within 3 working days
- Availability to complete the Fitness tests, medical checks and qualification shoots (Dates for the qualification shoots stated above).
Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.
Additional Information
CBRN is now part of the role profile for ARV officers, as such all officers not subject to Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) or reasonable adjustments must be clean-shaven when on operational ARV duties. Examples of EQIA protected characteristics include:
- Religion or Belief: The complete removal of facial hair may be incompatible with certain religious beliefs and observance of that faith. The wearing of religious headwear may not be possible with CBRN PPE, and therefore a requirement to wear CBRN PPE may be incompatible with observance of certain religions or faith.
- Disability and medical reason: Where a medical condition may affect an officer’s ability to comply with the clean-shaven requirement, considerations will be given to exemptions supported by appropriate Occupational Health evidence. As being clean-shaven is an operational necessity for the effective use of CBRN PPE, exemptions will only be approved in exceptional and fully evidenced circumstances.
Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance for ARV officers and Security Clearance scrutiny for SFO/CTSFO prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
Contacts: If you have any questions relating to this role or what it is like to work for WMP, please contact:
- Chief Inspector Sinead Sweeney: [email protected]
- Inspector Phil Panter: [email protected]
If you would like to discuss the Transferee process, your eligibility, or require any support with your application, please contact the Transferee Team at [email protected].
About Us
West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in England, serving more than 2.9 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. Every day, our people work together to keep our communities safe, protect vulnerable people, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.
We answer more than 2,000 emergency calls every day and provide policing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, investigating crime or working behind the scenes, every role plays a vital part in delivering an outstanding service to the public.
We're proud of the progress we've made in reducing crime, improving emergency response times and increasing arrest rates. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our officers, staff and volunteers. As we continue to transform the way we police, we're looking for talented people who are committed to making a real difference.
Why Join West Midlands Police?
A career with West Midlands Police is about more than a job, it's an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people. Whatever your role, you'll contribute to keeping our communities safe while developing your own skills and career.
When you join us, you'll benefit from:
- Meaningful work that makes a difference every day.
- A diverse range of career opportunities across policing and professional support services.
- High-quality training, development and opportunities to progress.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.
- Competitive pay, generous annual leave, excellent pension arrangements and a wide range of employee benefits.
- The opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a common purpose.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better understand and serve the communities we protect. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed.
As a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the Government's Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to removing barriers to employment and supporting disabled applicants and employees throughout their careers. Through our Disability Confident Interview Scheme, applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for a role will normally be offered an interview, subject to the scheme's terms and any recruitment constraints.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision is to maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our communities.
Professional Standards
Working in policing is a position of trust. Our officers and staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate vetting and are expected to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities that come with serving the public.
Recruitment and the Use of AI
We recognise that many candidates use AI tools to support activities such as proofreading and improving the presentation of written applications. This is acceptable, provided the content you submit accurately reflects your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Applications must be your own work. Any evidence of plagiarism, false or misleading information, or the inappropriate use of AI during assessments or selection activities where it is not permitted may result in your application being rejected.
Benefits
We know that supporting our people is essential to delivering the best service to our communities. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits, wellbeing support and development opportunities to help you thrive throughout your career.
Visit our Benefits page to find out more about the rewards and support available when you join West Midlands Police.
