Advice - arv's

[ynwa]

Hi folks. I'm just looking for a bit of advice on a subject.

The PSNI are supposed to go live with their ARV's within the next few months. From your own experience can you tell me what to expect when this happens. I.e media / public perception. Teething problems. Problems with your own (uniform) colleagues not in the unit i.e partnerships and what to expect. Training problems , finance (overtime) etc.

Also, if you or your service has experienced this, how did you solve any of the problems that were placed at your feet.

(Also i'll try to pre emp a question that i feel will be asked of me. The PSNI officers are routinely armed for these are personal protection weapons only. PSNI officers, on the whole are not AFO's.)

Anything would be appreciated on the matter.

[DarkHorse]

Hi Mate,

Just to answer some of the questions interms of public reaction.... I think its always reassuring that there are armed response vehicles about to protect the public just incase shift hits the fan but as you might be aware they are to be deployed completely on armed led operations or attending armed incidents. They attend training every 6 to 8 weeks in there firarms college (i am sure its same for NI) to polish up there skills and keep up the standards.

Problems with other uniform personnel: lol .. some times as when we are AFO's, SFO's, ARV's guys/girls can change their behaviour towards non armed members but there is only a few people like that, the rest and majority are great and good laugh. I hope you know what i mean.

Training problems, as mentioned arv team needs to be back in college for every 6 to 8 weeks for training and polishing their skills on continuious basis as its a demanding role.

Problems - lol .... again we are always ina problem, not one criminal will act the way we are trained so there you go. hence the above training will keep them going with different situations etc.

I hope some of the information have answered your questions.

DH

[ynwa]

DH,

thanks for your reply pal. It's a totally new concept in NI as were are armed anyway (despite these being PPW's). I get the feeling from a few colleagues that wonder if ARV's are really needed, again for the reason that we are an armed force. But the majority seem to think it is the way forward, as the gap between our normal response officers, and our HMSU is far too great.

thanks again.

[matt7101]

What will be the difference between normal PSNI officers and ARV's?
Are they both trained to same standards? or is it like america where all are armed but also have SWAT units?

Also to be an armed offcier in MET, do they have to be part of an ARV?

[DarkHorse]

Hi matt,

In short, AFO's and ARV are slightly different as ARV guys do security stops on vehicles etc where AFO's don't.... Also ARV guys need to go for constant training every 6-8 weeks to resfresh so its more intense in that manor.

Check some of the old posts on this subject as I believe there is more information on this question.

All the best

DH

[BlueBoy]

Yes the AFO's (generally now officers on DPG (CO6) are only refreshed on tactics and fitness (level 8.2 15 MTR bleep test) once a year, and have to re-authorize on their weapons every 3 months or so as they generally cover static armed posts and some hospital guards.
The ARV officers get much more rigorous tactics refreshers and upgrades, and are also re-authorised around the same time scale but have more hoops to jump through with regards to handling and consistency. They are, afterall, expected to deploy rapidly and get it right 100% of the time.
They also need to attain a higher level of fitness, 9.6 15 MTR bleep test.

[matt7101]

Thanks for the info.
What About the people who crew the DPG ARV? and Heathrow? And Royal Protection?
Are they just AFO or do they have ARV?

[BlueBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt7101 Thanks for the info. What About the people who crew the DPG ARV? and Heathrow? And Royal Protection? Are they just AFO or do they have ARV?

Oh Lordy!!! lol
And there we have a big ol' can o' worms ha ha!!
Ok, when I left in April, the DPG 'ARV' was treated like a dog.
The officers who had put themselves on offer to do the courses entered a political arena, as management were arguing over what level of response they should be used for etc.
In a nutshell, they had successfully completed the courses and ticked all the boxes but were limited to responding to incidents outside the general DPG remit ONLY if a CO19 ARV was too far awar or unable etc.

In relation to training frequency, I am not too sure, but I seem to remember them not quite being updated so often.
Never had much to do with the chaps over at Heathrow, so couldn't say without guessing.
And Royalty....... well.............. when they manage to climb outta their boxes and wash, I think they get pretty much the same as the DPG 'ARV'.
lol They do a sterling job, truely.
If you want a postcard filling out or s stamp licking, they're the guys.
But put a call in first, just to make sure they know you're coming

Don't think Royalty actually have an 'ARV' vehicle. They may have a GP car like DPG gave (Ranger Units).