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Police Armed Response Forum Thread, SO19 and CO19 explained in Close Protection World Area; When I joined the department, I was the youngest in age, 28 and the youngest in service 7 years....
ID (Heathrow) and SO16 cannot level transfer unless they pass an ARV course. Both department recieve extra training for Mobile Non Compliant Vehicle stops and to contain and negoitiate. They do not enter to conduct STC Ops.
If this has changed recently as in people out of their probation getting in then the department has really gone to the dogs
CO 19, Is right guys, the attrition rate on the selection, and course is very high.
Last course finished end of week before last and 7 completed .
It is (In my humble opinion the best job in the Met / World, bar none, but Im biased) been in a little under 20 years due to go soon . Looks like the big orange apron at B and Q haha)
The SFO teams did over 1500 Pre planned Firearms Operations last year form "Dig outs" to Terrorist Ops.
The selection and course are greulling but like many things that guys like yourselves have experienced Im sure, a lot of it is strength of character and mind over matter (As an Instructor said to me once "WE DON'T MIND AND YOU DON'T MATTER")
Like many specialist units Military or Police, the Team ethic and skills of a high standard, but relaxed.
Lads who have left but still keep in touch, admit to not missing getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning, but do miss the "crack with the lads".
There have been huge changes in the departments history over a realtivley short time.
From when I joined we had a Model 10 revolver each and 1 x MP5 Carbinebetween 10, to currently G36's Glocks MP5's A.I. Rifles etc etc etc
Will I miss it
Damm right I will
Stay well Treefrog