The firearms unit is possibly the most high
profile part of Vector and works in a variety of support roles.
Firearms officers assist in cross-border operations with Merseyside
and Greater Manchester Police and support officers on the Areas
when dealing with violent offenders. As well as traditional
firearms, they are trained in the use of non-lethal Tasers.
The vector firearms unit briefly comprises of three parts:
Reactive Armed Response Vehicles
The reactive ARV (Armed Response Vehicle) unit provides an armed
response capability every day of the week, 365 days a year. They
patrol in marked police vehicles equipped with a safe containing
their weaponry which includes the L104A1 launcher, special
munitions, shotgun and LMT defenders (carbines).
Officers are overtly armed while on patrol. They carry a
Glock sidearm and a non lethal weapon known as Taser which when
fired delivers a high voltage electrical charge via two barbs
connected to the weapon. Taser disrupts the voluntary control of
muscles and therefore disabling the target.
Firearms officers can respond to all spontaneous incidents and
provide some resilience to the neighbourhood policing teams.
Pro-active Armed Response Vehicles
The pro-active ARV unit generally patrol in unmarked vehicles
and provide armed support to the reactive unit as and when
required. They also carry out armed and unarmed operations.
Firearms tactical training unit
The firearms tactical training unit provides training to all
Authorised Firearms Officers ranging from initial courses through
to continuation or specialist training.
Each Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) within the unit maintains
a high level of physical fitness and is assessed annually both
physically and medically. They are also continually assessed
throughout the year in all aspects of firearms tactics and shooting
skills and judgemental training. All ARV officers are advanced
drivers & carry first aid equipment; they are trained in
advanced first aid to offer medical assistance to casualties in
situations that could be considered too dangerous for
paramedics.
The firearms unit provides support in the following specialist
skills:
- Method of entry
- Venue protection
- Close protection for VIPs
- Abseil
- Hostage rescue
- Rifle officers (snipers)
- Specialist response
- Necessary destruction of animals.
Rifle officers also receive additional training in their
specialist skills and attend training along side officers from the
North West regional firearms teams. The firearms unit is commanded
by an Inspector and the firearms teams are each commanded by
Sergeants who are nationally accredited Operational firearms
commanders (Bronze commanders).
The unit as a whole provides an increase in public confidence by
being visible in local neighbourhoods. Following any firearms
operations the unit will provide community reassurance by posting
leaflets in the local area explaining who we are and what we are
aiming to achieve. This show the local community that the Police
are actively targeting know offenders and bringing them to
justice.