30/06/2025, 12:00
Warwickshire is recruiting Armed Response Vehicle Officers to the Operational Firearms Unit
This is an exciting role for AFO’s providing an armed policing function to the large county of Warwickshire with a split of rural and urban communities.
Warwickshire police a large section of the strategic road network and borders the West Midlands Policing area with large population areas. As an ARVO in Warwickshire you will work in the Operational Patrol Unit based at Warwickshire Police HQ, Leek Wootton.
We are looking for officers who hold the AFO role profile including newly qualified AFO’s who wish to transfer into Warwickshire. The ARV’s are responsible for providing a response to armed incidents within the county and to provide support to other functions, such as roads policing, OCG enforcement and pro-active policing via intel and ANPR based patrols. As a smaller force with a limited number of armed assets available you likely to be deployed to all Armed incidents that occur during your tour of duty as well as providing support to planned deployments. Warwickshire Police operate a voluntary call-out function to provide contingencies to armed operations. The role is varied, and you will not be restricted from supporting other policing areas, whether this be planned arrests of dangerous offenders to providing tactical options for pursuits and county lines offenders. Warwickshire Police ARV staff do not currently hold an investigative workload, which is detailed within the forces crime allocation policy.
Warwickshire Police will provide opportunities to develop your skills and training either within the firearms role or wider policing functions to support your career. This includes OFC roles, instructing if you aspire to become a National Firearms Instructor, close protection, or promotion development programmes.
Additional payments:
AFOs who are qualified and deployable and meet the required criteria will be eligible for a Target Variable Payment (TVP) of £1500 per annum. Similarly, trained and deployable OFCs meeting the necessary criteria will receive an additional TVP of £750 per annum. These payments are subject to annual review.
We are keen to increase the current OFC establishment and will recognise this critical skill by offering a TV . Alongside leading your team in both planned and spontaneous incidents, you will get excellent training and CPD opportunities.
You will join an enthusiastic team that train and work together. Warwickshire is a supportive environment where the vital AFO/OFC role is recognised as critical to the organisation. We work a 10 week, 5-shift system on a 4 on 4 off pattern of 12-hour shifts for 8 weeks with 2 weeks of Monday to Thursday 8-hour shifts dedicated to maintaining your mandatory training hours. The 5th shift provides the opportunity for Teams to train together and when there is no training it is an opportunity for proactive policing and supporting campaigns. The training calendar is tailored to provide interesting and stimulating training locations and we utilise excellent range facilities with one of partners. AFO’s have access to Force Gyms and there is an active Sports & Social Club across the Force. Warwickshire Police is aware that officers may require a degree of flexibility within the role. To promote health and wellbeing within our workforce the force takes a positive approach to flexible working requests.
For an informal chat or to arrange a visit please the Armed Policing Inspector Leanne.Mason@warwickshire.police.uk or via the telephone number 07811410198, who will be happy to discuss the role in further detail.
Application Criteria:
Desirable Criteria:
Please note: some of the areas on this application form are only relevant for student officers, if you do not think a section is relevant please put a full stop and if it is necessary we will ask for this at a later stage.
Why work for Warwickshire Police?
Warwickshire Police has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative force, responsible for policing a large diverse, multi-cultural population.If you are looking for a fresh challenge which offers a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, variety and the chance to broaden your experience, then Warwickshire Police is the force for you.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Warwickshire Police are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the Constabulary, where communities are under-represented, including those from minority ethnicity communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBTQ+ communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve.All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.
Recruitment and Selection Policy
Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.
Police Barred and Advisory lists
Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.
Vetting and safeguarding
Warwickshire Police are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.
This vacancy is closed to applications.