Greek,
I can not agree more with the posts written by Shorty/Co19......you will need a minimum of 5 years in the uniform positions before applying for firearms positions. You will have to complete the pre selection course as well.... My advice would be think carefully about the role firearms officers play. As previously mentioned they work there nuts off on a daily basis only to be F****D by the suits when they discharge there weapons. taake the recent tragic events in west London with that lawyer. The IPCC have said they will only do a preliminary report for 4 months time... Those guys will be suspened from front line till then.
Shortys last comments are so true, The job is F*****....I have left the Met as i was fed up with politics and form filling and ass covering...There are some amazing positions available once you are inside in a wide variety of posts but please dont compare policing in the UK with the US as you will be dissappointed.
My advice if you want a real feel for what policing london is like ask to be posted to an inner london borough. Try Southwark,lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Hackney but dont forget your MetVest.....Be safe