Armed officers shoulder an enormous burden - we should share some of it
New Firearms Lead for the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve Hartshorn explains why he?s dedicated to ensuring all armed officers receive the help and support they needThe latest crime figures show that serious violent crime in this country has again increased. The question uttered by everyone from police officers to politicians, from judges to grieving parents is how do we combat this catastrophic crime trend?
If I’m honest, I don’t profess to have the all the answers. if there was a panacea, I am sure it would have been implemented by now, although I’m fairly sure the decrease in police officer numbers is directly linked to the rise.
I was taught prevention is better than cure – but prevention cannot always be quantified so is often disregarded.
What we do need is more local engagement between the public and police to break down barriers.
You often hear parents telling children to behave or the police will ‘take them away’. Surely they should be teaching them to talk to police and normalise the interaction – something some adults could also try.
One option is to increase the number of armed officers on our streets as a visible deterrent, but traditionally that’s not an approach the public - or indeed warranted officers - have favoured.
But what about the relatively small number of armed officers who are tasked with tackling the most violent and dangerous criminals?
Firearms officers do a unique job within policing in England and Wales. Let’s not sugar-coat the pill, they are trained to deal with immediate threats to life and every time they sign out their weapons they realise there is possibility that one day they may be required to pull the trigger. That may well mean that a person dies - such decisions are never taken lightly.
They are an extraordinary group of men and women and I was lucky to have been one of the few to have performed this role as an Armed Response Officer, which is why it is so important for me as Firearms Lead for the Federation that I represent them to the best of my ability.
I take over the role from PFEW Vice Chairman, Ché Donald and I would like to give my upmost thanks to him – he has done so much for armed officers in England and Wales.
I know what it takes do this specialist role, the physical and mental toll it can take - not only the officers themselves but their family and friends as well – which is why I am so I’m passionate about ensuring they have all the support and assistance they need.
Full firearms kit, depending on the role or deployment, can tip the scales at around four stone (25kg). Add to that the weight of expectation heaped on you by the service and society alike, it is certainly a heavy burden to shoulder.
I do have a real concern about what the reaction of society, the media and investigators alike would be if/when officers have to shoot a young person in possession of a lethal weapon.
No doubt the pressure on them will increase and may well further harm the ongoing work to recruit and retain other armed officers.
I consider being a firearms officer the best job in policing but I know there are times when it can feel like the worst job in the world.
As soon as an officer discharges their weapon they know every thought in their decision making process and every millisecond of their actions will be analysed to the 9th degree during an investigation which can take months or even years to conclude.
They are often restricted from firearms roles, unable to do the job they trained for just for doing their job.
It can be a very lonely place and the work the Police Firearms Officers’ Association (PFOA) and the Federation does with the Welfare Support Programme is so vital. I know for a fact this scheme has saved lives.
That is why I am dedicated to ensuring Post Incident Procedures are the best they possibly can be to make sure that the officers involved are safeguarded and their welfare paramount during what can be an incredibly stressful time.
The decision to shoot someone is never taken casually and the officer, their families and everyone effected, will experience the ramifications of a split second decision for the rest of their lives.
So I am here to be their voice, and their representative, to make sure that we as a Federation – working with the PFOA and others - do all we can to help and support those officers who choose to take on this unique role in protecting our society.
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