At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Tactical Firearms Group to deliver innovative firearms training and respond to critical incidents.
- Company: City of London Police, dedicated to keeping the community safe and secure.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, free travel, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in armed policing while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Must be an operationally competent Armed Response Officer and a qualified National Firearms Instructor.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Type of contract: Permanent – Full Time
Rank/Grade: PC
Directorate/Department: Tactical Firearms Group, Local Policing
Vetting level required: MV/SC
Location: Bishopsgate Police Station
Salary: According to the National Police Pay Scales plus London Weighting and London Allowance. This post currently attracts an additional £3,000 per annum firearms retention payment.
Department Overview
The City of London Firearms Training Wing (FTW) is a department within the Tactical Firearms Group (TFG) who provide firearms training for Armed Response, Firearms Command, AFO-CT and National Protection role profiles. As a member of the FTW you will be an operationally deployable Armed Response Officer but have a full time commitment to the delivery and preparation of Firearms Training. The TFG provide 24-hour firearms response to spontaneous and planned operations in the City and wider Pan‑London area working very closely with our Metropolitan Police colleagues from MO19. With fewer numbers of Armed Response Officers the FTW is able to maintain a close working relationship with our full‑time operational teams. This creates a respectful and highly professional training environment where the focus is on delivering excellent, innovative training which prepares our operators for the challenges of armed policing in London during 2024.
The City of London is the historic heart of London packed with history, commercial activity and culture. We have a demographic profile which is not replicated anywhere else: a residential population of around 9,000 and over 500,000 as commuters arriving at their place of work daily with an additional 18 million visitors annually. The City has a rich legacy of historic buildings and a large number of iconic sites including St Paul’s, the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and the Commercial District. The City of London Police is proud to deliver an exceptional Armed Policing service to the public rising to this challenge year on year to keep those who live, work or visit the City of London safe and feeling safe.
The TFG offer external candidates the additional benefits our current team receives including a £3,000 annual firearms payment, £6,711 in London Allowance and London Weighting, a generous pension scheme, a free Oyster card for London (TFL) travel and subsidised national rail travel, which allows you to travel within a 70‑mile radius. As a full time member of the FTW with the ARV role profile you will also be eligible to work overtime on the TFG ARV teams.
Eligibility Criteria
- Serving Police Officer in a Home Office Police Service
- Operationally Competent as an Armed Response Officer
- Qualified as a National Firearms Instructor (NFI) accredited by a College of Policing licenced NFIC provider.
- Minimum of Level 3 AET
- Operational competency to ARVO level
- Currently operational and medically fit for ARVO role (JRFT 9.4 this training year)
- Hold Lead Instructor status for ARV (Confirmed by your force CFI)
Desirable Criteria
- Operational Firearms Commander
- National Protection Officer
- Advanced Driver
- Firearms Tactical Advisor
- Rifle Officer
- IOSH trained
- Assessor trained
Application and Training
There is no specific London Residency criteria. All eligible candidates across the UK are welcome to apply. Once you have submitted your application form it will be subject to an eligibility process. If successful you will be invited for an assessment day including CVF interview and presentation. Successful candidates will progress to medical (including JRFT) and vetting stage. The application and interview will be tested under Level 1 of the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework with questions specifically testing your ARV and NFI experience. Applicants who fail to address the skills/knowledge/experience of the job description will not be considered.
To discuss the post in more detail, contact FTM Sergeant Faye Neal, faye.neal@Cityoflondon.police.uk; DCFI Sergeant Toby Knight, Toby.Knight@Cityoflondon.police.uk; CFI Dan Longhurst, Daniel.Longhurst@Cityoflondon.police.uk.
The closing date for applications is 6 November 2026 at 12:00 hours. This vacancy is open only to National Firearms Instructors who are currently operationally competent Armed Response Officer role profile holders in a Home Office Police Force ONLY.
We strive to ensure all our information and services are accessible to and usable by everyone. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with HRservices@cityoflondon.police.uk.
The City of London Police is keen to promote flexible working and will, subject to operational policing requirements, proactively consider all applications to work flexibly. The City of London Police is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the Policing community.
Benefits
We will offer a number of benefits including a generous pension scheme, a free Oyster card for London (TFL) travel and subsidised national rail travel, which allows you to travel within a 70‑mile radius.
For further information please visit https://careers.cityoflondon.police.uk/working.
The ATOC Rail Travel Concession allows regular serving police officers to travel on National Rail services within a 70‑mile radius of London for a small monthly cost. This is a taxable benefit that the City of London Police negotiates and Officers make a contribution to the cost of the scheme. If you wish to confirm if your journey would be covered under this scheme, please contact HR Services directly as the 70 miles is an approximation.
A diverse workforce improves the service we provide to our public by making us more approachable and relevant within our communities. This is why it’s vitally important that we recruit people from a wide range of communities and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural issues and a wide range of skills. We therefore particularly encourage female and people from Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities to join us.
The way we work is changing. With a few exceptions most roles will be able to accommodate part time, job share and flexible working patterns. We can also offer hybrid working patterns of home and office based shift patterns. Feel free to speak to us about any flexible working requirements.
The Force has several staff support networks that can offer you support and advice. Applicants are very welcome to contact the networks directly if they need any support or ask any question before they apply. For further information on the networks and their contact details please visit https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/police-forces/city-of-london-police/areas/city-of-london/about-us/about-us/equality-and-diversity2/equality-and-diversity-support-networks/.
Police Constable - National Firearms Instructors - Armed Response (External Only) employer: City of London Police
The City of London Police offers a unique opportunity for Police Constables as National Firearms Instructors within a dynamic and supportive environment at Bishopsgate Police Station. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a £3,000 firearms retention payment, and a commitment to employee growth through flexible working arrangements and diverse support networks, this role not only ensures a rewarding career in armed response but also contributes to the safety of one of the world's most iconic cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Police Constable - National Firearms Instructors - Armed Response (External Only)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the City of London Police and their values. Research their recent operations and training methods. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current officers or instructors if you can. They can provide insider tips on what the interviewers are looking for and might even give you a heads-up on what to expect during the assessment day.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the CVF interview by practising common competency-based questions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, focusing on your experience as an Armed Response Officer and National Firearms Instructor.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace the modern policing landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Police Constable - National Firearms Instructors - Armed Response (External Only)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start your application, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. We want to see that you understand the role and how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their applications to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the requirements of the Police Constable role. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid fluff and focus on what matters!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of London Police
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the Armed Response role and the National Firearms Instructor requirements. Brush up on your operational competencies and be ready to discuss your experience in detail, especially any relevant training or incidents.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your teaching and training abilities. Think of examples where you've successfully trained others or led a team in high-pressure situations. This will highlight your capability as an instructor and your readiness for the role.
✨Understand the Values
Familiarise yourself with the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework. Be prepared to answer questions that reflect your understanding of these values and how they align with your own experiences in policing.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the training methodologies used within the Firearms Training Wing or the challenges faced by the Tactical Firearms Group. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the department.
