Firearms Licensing Firearms Enquiry Officer (OP ML)
We are welcoming applications for the role of Firearms Licensing Firearms Enquiry Officer (OP ML) with Dorset Police based at the following location(s): Blandford Police Station (GD)
Salary: Scale E - Starts at £29,109 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £33,264 per annum
Please note that the above salary is based on working 37 hours per week. If this role is part-time or you are appointed on a part-time basis your salary will be prorated to reflect this. Exceptions to starting salary may apply if you are an existing Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police Staff employee substantively posted to a role at the same Scale.
Type of employment: Fixed Term, Internal Secondment
Temporary Role Duration: 31/03/2026
If you are not currently a police staff employee and are successful for this post, you will be offered a Fixed Term contract.
Please note that applicants applying for an internal or external secondment should seek support from their current line manager for their temporary release from their substantive role before applying. External secondment requests will need to be supported by the Force Executive. At the end of the secondment the successful applicant(s) would return to their substantive role. However, if in the meantime the releasing department is subject to review, the successful applicant(s) would be included in that review as if still in post.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team in firearms licensing as a Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) on a fixed term contract to support the reduction in outstanding historic grant applications. Firearms Licensing returned to Dorset in April 2024, based at Blandford the team are responsible for managing 10,000 firearm and shotgun certificate holders and Registered Firearms Dealers.
As an FEO you will undergo training to become accredited in this role by the College of Policing, you will conduct investigations and assess the suitability of applicants to possess firearms and shotguns, this is front facing role where you will be expected to conduct inspections of peoples homes and commercial premises to ensure that firearms are stored and possessed safety and in accordance with legislation, therefore you must be front facing deployable and hold a UK driving licence.
We welcome applications for staff who have knowledge of firearms, recreational shooting activities although prior knowledge is not necessary, and you do not need to be a certificate holder to apply.
Internal applicants must have approval for secondment supported at time of application.
Previous investigative experience is beneficial but above all we ask you be professionally curious in your enquiries.
The post is based at Blandford, however once trained and competent in role, staff will be able to make use of smart working zones around the force.
Please provide evidence against the criteria using the STAR format.
We welcome staff interested to come and shadow the department for a day to gain a full understanding of the role. For an informal discussion about the role please contact Inspectors 1989 Chris Biggs or 2079 Coupe.
Please see job description for full details.
Want to know more about this role?
Further detail regarding this role and the essential requirements can be found within the job description attached below.
If you think this may be the role for you and would like further information, please contact:
Hiring Line Manager: Christopher Biggs - Inspector FELU Business Change
Email Address: chris.biggs@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Telephone Number: 01202223061
What you get if you join us:
If you work for us, you will get access to:
- A competitive salary with yearly increments.
- Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
- Company sick pay.
- Competitive local government pension scheme.
- Job related equipment, as required.
- Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
- Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
- Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
- Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).
Annual Leave Entitlement:
25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees).
Additional Information
Recruitment Process
Application Stage:
To apply for this role, click the 'apply' button below, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application.
Already have an account? If you have previously created an account, please click 'login' at the bottom of the page next to the 'submit registration' button. Once logged in, you will be taken to the application.
Once registered, you will have to complete an eligibility form to apply. If eligible, you will move to the application form stage where you will evidence your suitability for this post. The closing date for applications is 30/04/2025, 12:00.
Selection Stage:
The selection for this role will consist of Shortlisting, Interview.
Applications will be anonymised and then shortlisted by the shortlisting panel. Following the shortlisting you will be notified of the recruitment decision via email along with feedback on your application.
If successful, you will then be invited to an interview. This will be based on the essential criteria outlined within the job description. The interview process is due to take place week commencing 12 May 2025.
Some roles may also require an assessment and / or fitness test. Further information on this will be provided following the shortlisting process. The assessment and / or fitness test date will be and if applicable, otherwise N/A.
Pre-requisites:
If you are successful through the selection stage of the recruitment process, we will make a conditional offer of appointment and commence pre-requisite checks. These checks can include:
- Vetting checks,
- Reference checks,
- Medical assessment,
- Qualification review,
- Right to Work checks.
A formal offer of appointment and start date will not be agreed until all checks are satisfactorily completed. If you are successful at the selection stage your conditional offer will outline which of these checks are applicable to you.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.
Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.
If the role has evidence questions you are required to complete in the application form, you may wish to complete these remotely and then paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission. Please note, each evidence criterion is set to a maximum of 2000 characters.
We welcome the use of AI responsibly and ethically to demonstrate your skills in your application, but please don’t allow it to overshadow your own unique voice. While we appreciate innovative approaches, we also value authenticity. Our assessment considers the content of the application and the skills you demonstrate, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all applicants. At the end of the day – we want YOU to work for us!