HP - Armed Response Vehicle Officer - Succession (EOI) Transferees

Role: Armed Response Vehicle Officer

Department: Special Operations Unit

Location: Melton

Term: Succession Planning (Initial Firearms Courses 2026)

Hours: 40

Rank: PC

NOTE - This role is being considered for a tenure period of 5 years whereby there is an expectation that officers should complete 5 years in role to reach full competency and maintain healthy operational resilience across the force. 

THIS IS SUCCESSION PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE INITIAL FIREARMS COURSE LATER IN 2026.

APPLICATIONS SHALL BE PAPER SIFTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSING DATE.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE THE JRFT FITNESS TEST IN THE WEEK COMMENCING THE 5TH of JANUARY 2026.

THE REMAINING STAGES OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2026.

We are recruiting Constables to work in the Armed Response Unit. The successful candidates will play an integral role within Humberside Police and make a real difference to our communities by using specialist policing skills to bring the most dangerous criminals to justice. As part of a highly skilled and motivated team, you will respond to a range of incidents, and particularly those that require armed officers to draw them to a safe conclusion.

In order to do so you be trained to a very high standard in a wide range of skills and equipment.

Key Responsibilities 

• As part of a team providing an armed response capability to spontaneous and pre-planned incidents where a firearms authority is granted.
• Meeting obligations around national threats including pro-actively policing specific sites of interest in line with the Contest Strategy and conducting high visibility patrols under existing standing authorities.
• Positively dealing with tasks which support the wider SOU and Force threat and risks, this includes roads-based criminality, casualty reduction and activity to protect vulnerable members of communities.
• Supporting of Command and Force activity through use of specialist skills.
• Attending and preserving scenes of crime to ensure that initial investigations are efficient and effective.
• Reassuring victims of crime and identifying vulnerable victims, liaising with relevant agencies to provide help and support in accordance with the victim code.
• Gathering, analysing, reporting and acting upon criminal intelligence to maintain a pro-active approach to policing.
• Participating in National or intelligence driven campaigns, initiatives and operations as directed, to target specific types of offences in conjunction with other agencies as appropriate.
• Being trained in the conducting of firearms deployment to CBRN incidents and maintaining the ongoing personal capability to do so.
• As necessary and personally suited, must be willing to undertake specialist roles in support of the overall armed response function; these include the vital roles of Operational Firearms Commander and Firearms Tactical Advisor.
• Other supporting roles which will be open to ARVOs include Rifle Officer, Dedicated Security Patrol (DSP), Close Protection Officer, Firearms Trainer, CAT A Escort Trained. Selection for any of these roles would be dependent upon experience, support from line managers and discussion with individuals. 

 Skills and Experience 

• Is of the rank of Constable.
• Has successfully completed the student police officer program attaining a week 75 sign off prior to the submission of an application.
• Has a minimum of two years police service at the commencement of the Initial Firearms Course (IFC).
• You must have excellent communication skills and decision-making skills and be capable of applying these in the tensest of situations.
• Must pass the firearms job-related fitness test (level 9.4 on the shuttle run, or equivalent on the cooper treadmill test).
• Must maintain a high level of fitness with the requirement to undertake and pass the JRFT when required.

For further requirements please see the Armed Response Vehicle Officer Role Profile.

Conditions of application.

• You will need to be able to attend the full 16-week Initial Firearms Course. During the course no abstractions can be managed to include pre booked leave, court appearances. Candidates must be available to attend every session.
• Candidates will be selected and graded on their performance during a competitive pass or fail recruitment process with the next initial course scheduled for later in 2026.
• Successful candidates will be held in succession planning for up to one year.
• Candidates will take a preprogrammed weeks leave during the course. (To be deducted from officers leave balance - 40 hours)

 

Closing date: Sunday 14th December 2025 at 23:55:00 GMT

To Apply:

• You are required to provide a 500 words summary of why you wish to be an ARVO, what you have done to find out about the role and what skills you believe you would bring to the unit. It will also incorporate confirmation of their eligibility to apply.
• If successful, candidates will be invited to conduct the Firearms JRFT (Fitness test to level 9.4 or authorised alternate test)
• If successful, candidates will be invited to structured interview.
• If successful, candidates will be invited to undertake a series of Core Policing Scenarios to test knowledge, understanding and application of the National Decision Model.
• If successful, candidates will be invited to a range assessment day to experience the training environment and to handle and fire the 2 main weapons systems.
• If successful, candidates will undergo a detailed suitability and medical assessment.
• If successful, candidates will receive an invite to the next available Initial Firearms Course.

How to apply:

Please submit your EOI application to recruiting@humberside.police.uk

At the time of submission the attached Application Reference Form will need to be completed, this form states your understanding of the potential tenure requirement of the role and that you have also discussed and have the support of your line management (Sgt and Insp) to apply for the role. The form must contain both your current Sgt and Insps contact details, be endorsed by you the applicant and attached to your application before submission.  If you do not have their support your application will not be considered for progression.

 

Eligibility criteria:

Relocation:

Humberside Police offer relocation/removal expenses of up to a maximum £8000 to transferring officers who live outside the force area and at least 50 miles from their permanent place of work.

Please see attached guidance notes for further details.

Eligible Criteria:

To be eligible to transfer to Humberside Police, you must:

• Be a current serving officer in a Home Office force
• Have no outstanding discipline or integrity issues
• Have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to submitting your application, or able to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country
• Have successfully completed your probationary period with your Force prior to submitting your application

Tattoo's

Please send photographs of any tattoos to recruiting@humberside.police.uk 

Applicants who are successfully shortlisted will be invited to a competency based interview.

Those successful at interview will be required to undergo the following checks in-force area before appointment:

• Vetting
• Medical Assessment & Fitness Test
• Drugs & Bio-Metrics
• Fitness
• References
• Sickness Criteria
• Misconduct
• Tattoo Clearances

Due to the changes to entry routes for police officers and IPLDP no longer being an accredited training course, at this time we are unable to accept applications from police officers from Non- Home Office forces.   The reason for this is due to these officers requiring initial training which is now unable under the new programme.  We hope to find a solution as soon as possible.

For informal enquiries, please contact Recruiting@humberside.police.uk or contact 01482 630183. 

Humberside Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve.  We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. 

All appointments will be made on merit.

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