Firearms unit: Difference between revisions

A '''firearms unit''' is a specialised, armed unit within each [[territorial police force]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.global-defence.com/2003/police_03.htm |title=Metropolitan Police Force's Firearms Unit |publisher=Global-defence.com |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> For the most part, the [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom|police forces of the United Kingdom]] are unarmed; however, all have firearms units to provide the police force with the capability to deal with armed criminals. A [[police officer]] cannot apply to join the firearms unit without first finishing their two year [[Probation (workplace)|probationary period]], with a further two years in a core policing role.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tayside Police Web Development Unit |url=http://www.tayside.police.uk/firearms.php |title=Tayside Police - Specialist Units - Firearms |publisher=Tayside.police.uk |date= |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref> Firearms unit is the most common name outside of the capital, while that of [[Greater London|London]]'s [[Metropolitan Police Service]] is called the [[Specialist Firearms Command]], or CO19. Within the [[News media|media]] it is sometimes compared to the [[SWAT]] units of the [[United States]] and the RCMP [[Emergency Response Team (RCMP)|Emergency Response Team]]s and [[Toronto]]'s [[Emergency Task Force]] of [[Canada]].

Only three forces in the United Kingdom routinely arm officers due to the nature of their work; the [[Ministry of Defence Police]] who are responsible [[Law enforcement agency|law enforcement]] on [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MOD]] property, the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] who guard civil [[Nuclear energy policy|nuclear]] facilities, and the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]].<ref>[http://www.modpoliceofficers.co.uk/default.asp Ministry of Defence Police - Home<!--Bot-generated title-->]{{dead link|date=May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psni.police.uk/ |title=Welcome to the Police Service of Northern Ireland |publisher=Psni.police.uk |date= |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnc.police.uk/ |title=Civil Nuclear Constabulary |publisher=Cnc.police.uk |date=2009-05-01 |accessdate=2009-05-07}}</ref>

[[Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom|Police use of firearms]] has been a slow and controversial process,<ref name="waldren"/> usually due to resistance from [[Chief police officer|senior officers]] regarding firearms and adverse reactions from the public.<ref name="waldren"/> During the [[World War II|Second World War]], firearms were only carried on protection duties, such as guarding [[10 Downing Street|Downing Street]], [[Buckingham Palace]] and locations at risk from enemy [[sabotage]]. However, the police were supplied with many firearms such as the [[Ross Rifle|Canadian Ross Rifle]] and [[Pattern 1914 Enfield|P14 Enfield]] as part of the [[British anti-invasion preparations of World War II|anti-invasion preparations of World War II]]. Due to equipment shortages, firearms issued to the police were often in poor condition and sometimes lacked a [[Holster#Firearms holsters|holster]] to accommodate the weapon, leading to them being concealed in the uniform tunic or tucked in the [[Waistline (clothing)|waistline]] of the trouser.<ref name="waldren"/> In the years following the Second World War, training for the standard issue [[Webley & Scott]] [[Webley Revolver|revolver]] consisted of firing six shots, to pass, it was required that three shots be on target. Loading, unloading and safe handling of the weapon was not usually taught. During the same period, the police had an increased amount of [[Veteran|ex-servicemen]] joining the ranks, and their previous knowledge was treated to suffice leading to them being issued with firearms without police training, in an emergency. An example of this, was when the police mounted a [[Manhunt (law enforcement)|large scale search]] following the [[Shepherd's Bush murders]], firearms were issued to any officer who had previous experience of their use, such as officers that attended shooting clubs or ex-members of the armed forces.<ref name="waldren"/>