Constable - Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO)
South East Region Hub; Bicester, Gatwick, Netley, Sulhamstead or Three Mile Cross
Full time/Part time: 40 hrs/week (All roles are available for flexible working including job sharing and part-time unless there are legitimate operational / business reasons why this cannot be accommodated)
4 x position available
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications are invited from substantive constables and will also be invited from constables due to complete their probation in the next 4 months.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Role profile: Constable - Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO)
The South East Region CTSFO Hub has opportunities for current ARV qualified Constables to be trained as Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFO); subject to the successful completion of a three day assessment centre.
We are seeking officers to join the team as soon as dates for CTSFO Pathway courses (see below) are identified. Thereafter, officers may be held in a pool for up to 12-18 months.
Officers will embark on a series of National Pathway courses including SFIC (2 weeks), MASTS (4 weeks) and D9/CTSFO Upskills (10 weeks total), qualifying them as a Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officer. These courses are projected to begin in December 2026.
The role holder will then form part of the South East Region CTSFO Hub. Based at either: Three Mile Cross or Bicester in the Thames Valley area, Netley in Hampshire or; Gatwick in Sussex. Current vacancies are based at Bicester, Three Mile Cross and Netley.
When qualified, officers will deploy as part of a National response to: terrorist/extreme threat incidents and to covert or overt operations involving an identified threat to life.
Outside of specialist operations, the team will provide support to the Region with planned and spontaneous firearms operations across the Southeast. They may also provide support to divisional policing using specialist tactics in an unarmed capacity.
Successful applicants will form part of both a local and national on call rota and applicants must be willing to be flexible in their approach to working hours, due to the significant number of duty changes to meet the operational demand.
Officers will need to be adaptable and be expected to travel to all parts of the UK at times for operational deployments and national exercises; occasionally at very short notice.
Essential Criteria
- Occupationally competent and operationally deployable Armed Response Officer trained to the NPFTC role profile.
- Advanced driver, competent in TPP or IPP-Armed driving qualifications. (Required for MASTS course)
- Trained in use of the Glock handgun and your own Force’s choice of Carbine.
- Be willing to undergo Upskill to CTSFO within 6 – 18-month period.
- SC vetted, or willing and able to achieve SC Vetting Clearance.
Desirable Criteria
- Currently accredited as a Firearms Tactical Advisor.
- Currently trained to D13.2 AFO Enhanced First Aid Standard
- Currently competent advanced Police motorcyclist
Candidates must also be able to confirm and provide proof of:
- Not being subject to any informal or formal action plans for sickness/complaints/discipline or unsatisfactory performance;
- A Competent rating, or above, was achieved on the last reporting year for their PDR or equivalent.
- Their firearms training records for the past three years (or as many as accessible), including ARV and any specialist skills.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information regarding the role, please contact Inspector Chris Flack (Surrey/Sussex/Kent Ops Insp) via Chris.Flack1@surrey.police.uk or T/Inspector Loz Harton-Carter (TVP/Hampshire Ops Insp) via laurence.harton-carter@thamesvalley.police.uk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recruitment & Selection Process
Candidates are required to submit a written application, answering the following questions:
- Analyse Critically
- Give an example of where you have had to absorb information quickly and accurately, to make operational decision(s), making good use of the NDM
- Be collaborative
- Give an example where you have worked co-operatively with others, within or outside the organisation to achieve a successful project, resolution or outcome.
- Take ownership
- Give an example of where you have welcomed feedback regarding the quality of your work and taken responsibility for your own actions to improve performance and/or outcomes.
- Be emotionally aware
- Give an example where you have showed respect for others’ opinions and perspectives, which may differ from your own, while having our core values at the forefront of all we do, to achieve a positive outcome.
- Posting Preference
- Nominate one from: Bicester, Gatwick, Netley, Sulhamstead or Three Mile Cross
Additionally, you will be asked to provide copies of the following:
- Last fully completed PDR
- If vacancy is PC rank: Constables due to complete their probation in the next 4 months - a word doc containing a brief statement explaining that you don't yet have a PDR, your probation completion date, your name, shoulder, current role, base station, LCU and your line managers name and shoulder number.
- Completed line managers endorsement form
- All applicants must complete the line manager endorsement form. The form requires a Chief Inspector or Superintendent’s signature, regardless of whether they are on the Shortlisting Panel. Please be aware that verbal endorsement will not be accepted.
- If you are unable to obtain one or both endorsements in time for the closing date, please submit your partially complete form along with a statement in the relevant box stating that you have requested endorsement and are awaiting a response. Late endorsements should be emailed to poirecruitmentfc@thamesvalley.police.uk
- Please note that applications without a completed endorsement form will be graded, but not progressed until the endorsements have been received.
- Please ensure the endorsement form includes confirmation that you are not subject to any informal or formal action plans for sickness/complaints/discipline or unsatisfactory performance
- Firearms training records
- Records for the past three years (or as many as accessible), including ARV and any specialist skills.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assessment Centre
Applicants successful through paper sift will then be invited to attend a three day Selection Centre process during the week commencing 28th September 2026 at Sulhamstead, near Reading. Assessment centre will be residential.
If successful through this process, officers will be notified at the end of day three and subsequently in writing confirming course dates, or pool placement.
Diversity Statement
Thames Valley, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent Police are all committed to providing quality in the service we deliver; including the career opportunities we offer our people and to increase the diversity of our workforce to reflect the community we serve.
We value diversity and inclusion and want to attract the best people for the roles available; regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, disability, social status and religious beliefs.
We want to do all we can to encourage fair and inclusive opportunities, helping us to ensure that all individuals are properly supported and represented.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important guidance for applicants:
If you are currently in a force critical post, there is an expectation that you will remain in that post for a minimum of two years before applying to change roles (or 18 months for custody sergeants).
Candidates may be required to pass vetting and OHU or attend assessments and courses for this role. If any of these are failed the candidate will be posted back to their previous position. Postings are determined in accordance with organisational need although consideration will be given to personal circumstances.
For any queries regarding the advert or recruitment process, please e-mail Police Officer Internal Recruitment quoting reference 15121.
Suitably endorsed and eligible applications must be completed by 10:00 on Monday, 3rd August 2026.
