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An Armed Response: a Survey of Firearms Officers' Opinions of Post

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An Armed Response: a Survey of Firearms Officers' Opinions of Post An Armed Response: A survey of Firearms Officers’ opinions of Post-Incident Procedures Overview There is limited academic research into the general thoughts and feelings of firearms officers - a unique group of police officers subject to high pressure situations. This report documents a timely survey that seeks to capture such firearm officer attitudes within the context of an IPCC consultation into police complaint management, namely proposed changes to the Post-Incident Procedure (PIP). To achieve this an online survey was designed and administered obtaining 2,035 responses, of which over half were MPS firearms staff (n=1,174, 58%). The summary of headline findings is: Firearms officers are subjected to unique demands in high pressured situations. The pride they have towards being a firearm officer is evident - however, it is also clear there are more negative attitudes towards the wider command and their respective organisations which require attention. There appears to be uncertainty regarding the relationship between firearm officers (and the command) to the public. Attention could be directed to developing this relationship, something likely to impact upon public confidence. There is generally some acceptance to wear Body Worn Videos (BWV) and some recognition it will provide additional, more transparent evidence. There are however some concerns over how video footage will be used (by the police, IPCC and legal defence) and how officers will be portrayed - especially if footage will be an accurate representation of practical events and internal feelings/justification for action. Officers appear to see media scrutiny as part of the job, something which may not be seen in other police roles and adds to the pressure they face. Attention to provide staff with advice or protection to such scrutiny would likely be valued by officers. Firearms officers report high levels of support from their immediate team, although the feeling of support diminishes as higher management levels were discussed - with a large number not believing their organisation has their best interest at heart. There appears to be uncertainty about the types and usefulness of occupational support provided. Occupational Health seems to be viewed sceptically, and whilst officers generally agree they can cope with the stressors, the majority would also like to see more support provided by Met. Firearms officers do not appear to be fully briefed on the PIP, and the majority do not believe it to be fair or having integrity - however, MPS officers are more positive than their national colleagues. Firearms officers are highly positive around the practice and benefits of conferring post incident. Any IPCC alterations in this area would require considerable attention to the processes of managing this change. Officers were strongly negative towards many of the proposed PIP changes and highlighted issues such as increased stress that may result from segregation. Any resulting change to these areas of the PIP would require considerable guidance and support to oversee operational change. 1 Background There is limited academic research into the general thoughts and feelings of firearms officers - a unique section of the police subjected to high pressure situations. Their opinions are particularly interesting in the current climate, (e.g.) with recent high profile firearm incidents (such as that of Mark Duggan)i and the potential Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)ii policy changes which may be implemented as a resultiii. The IPCC are in the process of consultation to launch a new strategy which hopes to improve oversightiv. Part of this includes proposed changes to the Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) currently followed by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), applicable for officers/staff declared as significant witnesses. This will most often apply to incidents of death in custody and after the deployment of lethal weapons. A key aspect of the IPCC suggestion is to separate officers/staff after an incident, to prevent conferring, therefore maintaining the perceived integrity of evidence. For all medically fit officers/staff, an ‘Achieving Best Evidence’ (ABE)v style interview will also be conducted almost immediately after an incident, signifying a fundamental change to current the PIP. Although not solely an armed policing issue (as changes could affect every police officer/staff member who may be involved in a future death, serious injury or command failure); it is suggested firearms officers would have more exposure to such processes and policy - and as such their voices are of importance. Therefore, with a desire to learn more about officers in this unique environment and to provide contextualisation behind the police response to the IPCC consultation, the Evidence and Insight team (now part of the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) - a dedicated independent in-house social research team, providing evidence based direction for improving Criminal Justice and Policing in London) was commissioned to conduct a survey to capture the voices of firearms officers. This survey is also part of a larger research project on Body Worn Videos in London. Design and survey results A survey was developed comprising of 18 sections including a range of themes relevant to armed policing - such as working with the public, the media and general attitudes to the PIP. Working with colleagues at the Police Firearms Officers Association, an email invite was sent out nationally. Released on Monday 10th February 2014 and kept live for 2 weeks, the survey obtained a much higher response than the typical 10% rate of online survey return, with 2,035 completed submissions (as of 13th March). Of this total over half (58% n=1,174) were from the MPS out of a potential 2,160vi (a response rate of 54%) and the remainder (42% n=861) from other police forces across the UK out of a potential 4,025vii (response rate 21%). Such a response rate is in itself perhaps an indication of the strength of feeling within firearms officers to the theme of the survey. For MPS officers the majority of respondents were from SC&O19 Specialist Firearms Command (28%, n=324) and SO6 Diplomatic Protection (DPG) (26%, n=302)viii. Across the board the majority of respondents were: Male (All: 92%, n=1,873; MPS: 89%, n=1045)ix; The rank of Police Constable (PC) (All: 80%, n=1,631; MPS: 79%, n=928)x; 2 Experienced officers - half had been in the police service over 15 years (All: 54%, n=1101; MPS: 61%, n=713) and a third between 10 and 14 years (All: 32%, n=660; MPS: 33%, 390)xi. In the role of an Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) (All: 41%, n=827; MPS: 56%, n=658) or in an Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) (All: 33%, n=666; MPS: 21%, n=245)xii. Results have been split into three main sections: attitudes to a range of policing topics (e.g. armed policing, the public, and the media); attitudes to the current Post- Incident Procedure; and attitudes to the suggested changes in PIP procedure. The overall national response and specifically MPS results will be reported throughout. Section 1: Attitudes to… Respondents were asked a range of attitudinal questions relating to policing and being a firearms officer. Where otherwise stated, responses have been collapsed into those who strongly agree/agree and those who disagree/strongly disagree. Armed policing There were many positives from the officers toward armed policing and being a firearms officer. The majority of respondents reported to be proud to be a firearms officer (All: 87%, n=1,761; MPS: 81%, n= 946); confident in carrying a firearm (All: 96%, n= 1,951; MPS: 95%, n=1,111); confident in their own ability (All: 98%, n=1,987; MPS: 97%, n=1,139); and agree their training adequately prepared them to do their job (All: 79%, n=1,615; MPS: 74%, n=873). To illustrate the unique position of the officers - the majority reported to sometimes fearing for their personal safety (All 71%, n=1,435; MPS: 71%, n=831), and a proportion regularly fearing for their safety when on duty (All 13%, n=273; MPS: 13%, n=156). The majority of officers agree operational planning is done effectively (All: 56%, n=1,131; MPS: 55%, n=643), although there is still a sizable group (around 44%) who are unsure or disagree with this. However, in contrast to the above, less than half of officers agreed (All: 38%, n=767; MPS: 33%, n=322) there was a positive working environment in their command. Furthermore, only 4% (n=74; MPS: 3%, n=30) of officers agree their police service has their best interests at heart and there is little understanding from the organisation as to how this job affects your personal/home life (All: 72%, n=1,460; MPS: 70%, n=821). In addition, less than half of respondents indicated they would still join the firearms command if they were asked again (All: 46%, n=928; MPS: 44%, n=511). See Graph 1 for an overview. 3 “I am glad to be finishing my service on the Firearms unit after nearly 20 years on it. It feels like a massive weight has been lifted off me and I feel less at risk from the police organisation” “I think senior management, government and the public need a reminder that firearms officers do this voluntarily... “ “Officers volunteer for this role and do not get paid anymore for it. We do the role because we want to use our skills to help others. But the way we are looked at and portrayed by the media and by our own command does make you question whether putting yourself and your family through all the negative points is worth it.” Graph 1: attitudes towards armed policing 100% 98% 96% 90% 87% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 38% 30% 20% 10% 4% 10% 0% Proud to be a Confident in own Confident carrying There is a positive My police force My police force firearms officer ability a firearm working has my best understands how environment in the interests at heart this job effects firearms command your personal/home life Firearms officers are subjected to unique demands in high pressured situations.
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