Job Title: Command Training Manager
Salary: £53,451 - £57,186 (POD Scale). Pro rata for part-time hours
Contract: Permanent, Part Time
Number of vacancies: 3 posts available:
- 2 x 0.5 role
- 1 x 0.75 role
Location: Operational Support, Carr Gate, Wakefield
Looking for an opportunity where you can influence the future of firearms command capability across one of the UK's largest police forces?
We are seeking experienced and highly motivated professionals to join our new Firearms Command Training team within Operational Support – Firearms. The Command Training Manager is a unique role which will play a pivotal part in developing, accrediting and assuring firearms command capability across the Force, supporting operational excellence and organisational resilience.
About the Firearms Support Unit (FSU)
The Firearms Support Unit (FSU) is a section within Protective Services - Operations. It is made up of five teams of Armed Response Vehicle Officers who provide the organisation with 24-hour firearms cover. West Yorkshire has one of the largest contingents of Armed Officers in the North of England. As well as providing 24hr armed support across the Force area, we also provide the regional Counter Terrorism Specialist Firearms capability.
For more information visit: Firearms Support Unit
West Yorkshire Police has established a new Firearms Command Training Team to strengthen firearms command capability, improve governance and assurance, enhance succession planning and organisational learning, and develop sustainable in-house training capability. Supporting a command community of more than 140 firearms commanders and tactical advisors, the team plays a critical role in command accreditation, Continuous Professional Development and organisational assurance. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence command standards, shape how the Force learns from operational deployments, and help prepare West Yorkshire Police for future operational challenges.
About The Role
Working within Operational Support Services and reporting to the Chief Inspector Firearms, you will provide strategic leadership for command training, governance, organisational learning and professional development across the firearms command environment. More than a training role, you will provide independent advice, challenge and assurance, review operational command decision-making, and ensure learning from firearms operations and critical incidents is translated into improved policy, practice and organisational preparedness. You will also support and develop Tactical, Strategic and Operational Firearms Commanders, along with Tactical Advisors, helping to maintain a resilient, professional and highly capable firearms command cadre across the Force. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced armed policing professional to influence strategic decision-making and enhance firearms command capability across West Yorkshire Police.
Role and Responsibilities
As Command Training Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of firearms command training, accreditation and professional development programmes in line with national standards and operational requirements. You will also provide independent assurance, oversight and governance relating to firearms command activity, helping to identify learning and improve organisational preparedness.
Key duties include:
- Designing, coordinating and delivering accredited firearms and tactical command training programmes
- Leading command accreditation, mentoring, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and professional standards activity
- Conducting independent reviews of firearms operations and critical incidents to identify organisational learning, emerging risks and good practice
- Developing and delivering command exercises, scenario-based learning and developmental interventions to enhance operational decision-making and resilience
- Providing specialist advice, professional challenge and governance oversight to senior operational leaders and firearms commanders
- Leading command debriefs, organisational learning and command development processes across the Force
- Developing bespoke command development plans for commanders at all levels, including senior leaders and chief officers
- Supporting workforce resilience, succession planning and the development of sustainable internal command training capability
- Working with the College of Policing, NPCC and regional partners to support command governance, curriculum development and collaborative training initiatives
- Helping to strengthen command standards, organisational preparedness and operational capability across a community of more than 140 firearms commanders and tactical advisors
Additional duties could include:
- Developing bespoke command development plans for commanders at all levels, including senior leaders and chief officers
- Supporting workforce resilience and succession planning across the firearms command structure
- Working with the College of Policing, NPCC and regional policing partners to support future command training development and collaboration
- Helping to build a sustainable internal command training capability, reducing reliance on external training providers and operational abstractions
Expectations
To succeed in this role, you will be expected to:
- Demonstrate extensive experience within armed policing, firearms command governance, organisational learning or incident management environments.
- Influence and engage confidently with senior operational leaders, commanders and external partners
- Apply detailed knowledge of firearms legislation, College of Policing guidance and national firearms training standards
- Identify operational risks and learning themes, translating them into meaningful improvements in training, policy and practice
- Deliver high-quality training, mentoring and assessment activities to support command capability
- Maintain a strong commitment to ethical leadership, professional standards, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Travel nationally when required and attend operational, training and command environments
Essential Criteria
- Extensive strategic, operational or occupational experience relating to armed policing, firearms command governance, organisational learning and incident management
- Detailed knowledge of firearms legislation, NPCC Armed Policing guidance and College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice
- Experience of independently reviewing high-risk firearms operations and command decisions
- Experience of designing, delivering and quality assuring command training and CPD frameworks
- Demonstrable experience of influencing senior leaders and providing governance, assurance and organisational learning recommendations
- National firearms command trainer accreditation, or the ability to achieve this within agreed timescales
- Hold, or be able to achieve, a recognised Level 3 Learning and Development qualification (AET or equivalent)
- Excellent communication, analytical and stakeholder engagement skills
Benefits/What We Offer
West Yorkshire Police staff can access a wide range of benefits designed to support work–life balance, wellbeing, development and financial security. These include:
- Generous annual leave allowance, plus bank holidays
- Flexible working options, including agile working arrangements to help you manage your professional and personal commitments
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme
- Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility-dependent)
- Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card
- Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent)
- Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes
- Opportunities for career development and training
- Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
- A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities
- Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs
- Be part of an organisation with a long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility
- Work for a diverse and inclusive organisation that aims to be representative of the communities it serves
We have achieved Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Friendly Employer, Endometriosis Friendly Employer and White Ribbon accreditation, and have established staff networks and associations to support a fairer, more diverse workplace for everyone.
West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter
https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/business/growth-hub/better-business-practices/fair-work-charter/
For more information about what we offer, visit: Employee Benefits https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/benefits
Application Information
This opportunity offers a rare chance to develop our new firearms command capability, influence operational excellence and strengthen organisational resilience across the Force and regionally.
If you are looking to broaden your expertise in command governance, organisational learning and firearms command training, we'd love to hear from you.
For further information regarding the role, please email:
Superintendent Emma Cheney - emma.cheney@westyorkshire.police.uk
Chief Inspector Shane Cartwright - shane.cartwright@westyorkshire.police.uk
The successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate level of vetting prior to appointment.
The vacancy will close at 23:55 hours on 20th September 2026.
