PC Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO)- Transferee

Avon and Somerset Police; Portishead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police service is looking for Police Constables to transfer into their Specialist Firearms Department. This role involves high-risk operational policing, protecting communities against severe threats. Applicants must meet specific accreditation standards and be physically fit. The department provides a modern working environment and opportunities for personal development. This diverse policing role offers professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact in the community while upholding ethical policing standards.

Qualifications

• Be serving in a recognised Home Office police force.
• Complete the probationary period successfully.
• Meet minimum national fitness standards required for CTSFO roles.

Responsibilities

• Be flexible and accommodate occasional short-notice duty changes.
• Undertake on-call responsibilities managed carefully.

Skills

Proven competence in shooting

Nationally accredited to CTSFO standards

Competence against the Policing Professional Framework

Additional skills like Tactical Advisor

Job description

Job Description

POLICE CONSTABLE – TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES. This opportunity is open to police constables who are currently accredited to national CTSFO standards.

The Specialist Firearms Department delivers some of the most demanding and high‑risk operational policing, dedicated to protecting our communities from the most serious threats, including terrorism. Our officers operate within a modern, well‑resourced environment that includes bespoke training centres, excellent equipment, advanced facilities, and comprehensive staff development pathways.

Working collaboratively across six force areas for armed crime response, and nationally for counter‑terrorism operations, provides exceptional variety and enhances operational capability. This interoperability ensures dynamic demand is met effectively while offering officers a unique breadth of operational experience.

We are now inviting applications from officers wishing to transfer directly into the department as Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFOs).

Eligibility Requirements

• Be nationally accredited to the appropriate CTSFO standard, with proven competence both tactically and in shooting.
• Meet the minimum national fitness standards required for CTSFO roles.
• Be medically fit for CTSFO duties.
• Be serving in a recognised Home Office police force.
• Have successfully completed the probationary period.
• Demonstrate full competence against the Policing Professional Framework (PPF) for constable.
• Have no live written improvement notices issued under the Police (Performance) Regulations 2012 or reduction in rank under those procedures in the previous 18 months.
• Have no live written warning, final written warning or extended final written warning issued under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012; (note – a finding of misconduct but where no separate penalty is applied (Regulation 35(1)(b)), does not debar an officer from proceeding)

Additional specialist skills such as Tactical Advisor, OFC, EMOE, or Instructor are advantageous, but not essential.

Role Expectations

• Be flexible and accommodate occasional short‑notice duty changes.
• Undertake on‑call responsibilities, which are managed carefully to balance operational need with officer wellbeing.

Our expectation is that officers reside within the Avon and Somerset force boundaries at the time of appointment. If you reside outside of the force area and wish to apply, this would be subject to a special dispensation being granted by Avon and Somerset. Please contact [e-mail] in order to discuss this.

What We Offer

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative force which has led the way on a number of initiatives and gained recognition for our ongoing commitment to support, develop and empower our staff to deliver the best possible service to the public.

We have the potential to offer you a better quality of life coupled with exciting and challenging policing.

Avon and Somerset polices 1,844 square miles of moorland, farmland, coastline, holiday resorts, market towns and cities including Bath and Bristol, one of England’s eight core cities. It is intersected by the M4 and M5, major rail routes to Wales and the Southwest, and home to Bristol International Airport and Bristol Port, Britain’s most centrally located deep seaport. Glastonbury Festival, Europe’s largest music festival, and Badminton Horse Trials are two of the force’s most significant events.

A diverse, multi‑cultural population of 1.65 million and approximately 679,000 households, swelled by a large student population and tourists, brings challenges in policing, with pockets of substantial wealth contrasting deprived localities and communities. Ensuring equality of access to policing for all and achieving a diverse and representative workforce are priorities for the force.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary are proud to support a representative workforce. We are neurodiversity and inclusive organisation that welcomes applications from everyone.

The Recruitment Process

• To apply for this vacancy, click apply at the bottom of this screen.
• Shortlisting process – review of training records, sickness record and probationary completion from current force and suitability for the role.
• Interview.
• Pre‑employment checks.

Additional Information Regarding These Checks Can Be Found Here.

What you need to know

Current Force policy requires officers to live within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary borders and ordinarily within a 30‑mile radius of their posting. However, we would strongly recommend that you do not enter into any lease or purchase of property until a posting is confirmed.

Postings are determined based on operational demand and priorities. Individual preferences will be noted, and attempts made to accommodate, depending on available vacancies.

You will ordinarily be expected to remain in your first posting within the Constabulary for a minimum of two years; however, this would not preclude you applying for promotion should you wish in this timeframe.

Salary and leave

Officers in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary are paid in accordance with the national rates. Salaries are paid directly into officer's bank or building society account on the 28th of each month.

Leave already booked by a successful officer will be honoured for this year, but officers must advise us of these dates in writing when invited to attend for interview.

Any time off in lieu must be taken prior to joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Under most circumstances pension rights are directly transferable from one force to another.

Additional Information

If you have any queries, please contact [e-mail].