Speaking at the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation conference, NPCC Firearms Licensing Strategic Coordinator, Superintendent Adrian Davis, explained that a structured five-day course for Firearms Enquiry Officers (FEOs) has now been delivered for just over twelve months across England and Wales. The programme was introduced following the Prevent Future Death Notices, which were issued following the inquest touching the tragic deaths in Plymouth during 2021. This is the first National Training Programme for firearms licensing and is delivered by Adrian and other experienced colleagues who have been seconded into the College of Policing. There was much criticism at the inquest around the lack of accredited training, and which had been raised several times before in formal hearings.
Adrian said the course obviously highlights the many different areas of legislation, which is complicated as so many acts and amendment acts over the years together with statutory and non- statutory guidance from the Home Office and Police Authorised Professional Practise (APP). The main theme of the course is the assessment of suitability, the statutory test to possess firearms i.e not being a danger to public safety or to the peace and making recommendations aligned with the guidance. Also being proportionate to the circumstances presented and understanding the individual risks, as applications contain different information, people lead different lives but being proportionate and offering clear rationale to each case.
Adrian was clear however that whilst public safety was obviously the primary concern, the requirement for effective communication and service delivery weaved throughout the syllabus. The course draws on APP – Considering the Clues, being Curious and good Communication. FEOs will now have more engagement with family members and others in the household when conducting visits with applicants and existing licence holders. Establishing constructive relationships with rural communities and providing an effective service are presented as key expectations of modern firearms licensing.
The new firearms licensing statutory guidance for chief officers is embedded throughout the training, with the College aiming to drive more consistent interpretations between forces. The learners on the course are assessed using realistic case scenarios and are required to set out their reasoning both in writing and professional conversations with assessors, cross-referencing the statutory guidance. The assessment is designed to assess the quality and proportionality of decision making rather than focusing purely as to whether an individual case is granted or refused.
Completion of the classroom phase is only one step towards accreditation. Before attending, officers must complete pre-course work, and afterwards they are expected to build a portfolio of evidence highlighting how they are applying the learning in their day-to-day role. To gain full accreditation, they must also complete two days of continuing professional development: one day focused on domestic abuse, safeguarding and family dynamics, and a second on mental health and wellbeing. Guest speakers consisting of clinical and multi-agency specialists offer essential insight to support the various conditions and considerations listed in the statutory guidance.
Range days have also been set up so that FEOs who may never have handled a firearm can gain a broader insight into the variety of firearms that are held. Adrian was extremely appreciative to the many different shooting groups and organisations who had supported with the development and making this practical element possible.
Accredited FEOs are placed on a College of Policing register and are expected to maintain their status through ongoing CPD and periodic review. The College will expect staff to return after a number of years for re-accreditation, reflecting the view that firearms licensing competence cannot be treated as a one-off moment in time qualification.
Adrian’s colleagues. Chief Inspector Pip Taylor (previously a Licensing Manager) and Liz Chapman (formerly an FEO herself) stressed that the work will not stop with FEOs. The College is now developing a delegated authority course for decision makers, aimed at anyone in policing who has a partial or full say in firearms licensing outcomes. Training for administrators or caseworkers and staff who deal with explosives licensing is also part of the delivery plan, with the stated aim that everyone working in a firearms licensing unit should have a clear training pathway.
Turning to performance, Adrian said that forces, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and representative organisations were broadly aligned on what good licensing performance looks like: timely turnarounds, consistent decisions, effective application of the statutory test, sound medical processes and clear communication with applicants and certificate holders.
He acknowledged that performance remains uneven between forces and that different local processes, particularly around renewals, home visits and temporary permits, contribute to those inconsistencies. Historic gaps in national data had made it difficult to compare forces, but he said the NPCC is now drawing management information directly from the National Firearms Licensing Management System and publishing quarterly dashboards. A replacement national system is being developed which will significantly change current processes.
He said the long-term aim of the new training and accreditation structure is to support public safety while giving certificate holders and the trade greater confidence in the consistency and professionalism of licensing decisions across England and Wales.