Firearms Enquiry Officer
Role Purpose
This profile has recently been updated to include the CVF 2024 and core skills, and the new version can be found on College Learn by entering the Profile title in the search function. Please note this profile is out of date and is in the process of being reviewed.
Minimise risk to public by conducting robust enquiries that help inform fair and transparent decisions in regard to the grant, renewal and variation of shotgun certificates and firearms licences.
Key Accountabilities
• Investigate, review, interview and meet with applications for a certificate/licence and establish the applicant’s suitability to acquire, possess and lawfully use shotguns and/or firearms. Likewise for clubs, and registered firearms dealers.
• Use a risk-based approach and provide recommendations as to the grant, refusal or revocation of shotgun and firearm certificates, in order to protect the public and ensure an efficient and fair service.
• Contribute to the ongoing and continuous monitoring of certificate holders suitability to hold shotgun and firearm certificates, in order to accurately assess and respond appropriately to risks to public safety.
• Liaise with relevant colleagues and departments in order to provide protection, support and reassurance to those identified as at risk following the refusal or revocation of a certificate.
• Prepare reports and manage case files within best practice procedures to ensure an audit trail of fair and transparent decisions.
• Develop and maintain specialist working knowledge on the legal possession, security and safe shooting of firearms and ammunition, and provide advice to the public and the police service in order to improve safety, prevent foreseeable harm and support the prosecution of offenders.
• Act in adherence to all legal frameworks, key working principles, policies and guidance relevant to the role.
• When required, assist in the seizing, surrendering, or recovery of guns, ensuring safe handling, and accurate record keeping.
Behaviours
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
It is suggested that this role should be operating or working towards the following levels of the CVF:
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Prior Education and Experience:
• Knowledge of and experience of applying Firearms Legislation and Home Office Guidance.
• Ability to manage own workload with minimal supervision.
Skills:
• Skilled in the inspection and handling of shotguns and firearms.
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others.
• Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
• Skilled in the use of use standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.
• Able to use resources efficiently in own role and to comply with financial rules and procedures.
• Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
• Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.
• Able to interpret and apply guidance to a specific activity.
• Able to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.
• Able to review own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Personal responsibility for CPD.
• Research and refresh own subject matter expertise.
• Maintain skills and knowledge pertaining to firearms/weapon handling and inspection.
• Maintain currency of College of Policing Guidance, best practice and any local policy applicable to the operational police context.
• Maintain and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legislation policy and practice across all functional policing areas of operational responsibility.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence based policing research and problem solving and team working and synthesise these into working practice.
• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of new and evolving crime threats and priorities; and current best practice to tackle these in order to enable a pro-active and preventative approach.
• Complete all annual and mandatory training including for example, fitness tests, personal safety training, first aid, and protecting information.
Professional Registration/Licenses
Not applicable.
Links to other Profiles
Firearms Licensing Manager