Maximum Continuous Duty Period for AFOs

37. Following discussions with NPCC and the College of Policing, the Government understands that current guidance does not specify a time limit and that there would be significant operational implications of doing so. There are, however, clearly stated expectations and supporting processes set out below. To meet the requirements of this recommendation, NPCC and the College of Policing intend to seek, and consider, independent expert advice before issuing national guidance. 38. NPCC have informed the Government that in the interim they have recently issued a circular to forces to emphasise that the national position is that at present there is no specified maximum period for which Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) are permitted to remain on duty. The circular also reminded forces of the following: a. AFOs are responsible for continuously assessing their own fitness to perform their role. They should notify their supervisor and/or the firearms commander of any doubts as to their fitness to do so. b. Operational, tactical and strategic firearms commanders all have a duty to monitor the fitness of all AFOs under their command to perform their role during any period of continuous duty. Commanders should ensure that appropriate steps are taken to maintain the AFOs' fitness to remain on duty and to ensure that officer's wellbeing is provided for where possible. c. Forces are responsible for ensuring that routine shift patterns and repetitive planned deployments of AFOs are conducted within legal frameworks and should take into account the effects of cumulative fatigue. 39. Next Steps: NPCC will seek independent expert advice to conduct a review of the necessity and practicality of introducing a time limit for the length of duty of authorised firearms officers. NPCC will then issue further national guidance. The provisional target is to complete work by 31 July 2020.

38. NPCC have informed the Government that in the interim they have recently issued a circular to forces to emphasise that the national position is that at present there is no specified maximum period for which Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) are permitted to remain on duty. The circular also reminded forces of the following:

a. AFOs are responsible for continuously assessing their own fitness to perform their role. They should notify their supervisor and/or the firearms commander of any doubts as to their fitness to do so.

b. Operational, tactical and strategic firearms commanders all have a duty to monitor the fitness of all AFOs under their command to perform their role during any period of continuous duty. Commanders should ensure that appropriate steps are taken to maintain the AFOs’ fitness to remain on duty and to ensure that officer’s wellbeing is provided for where possible.

c. Forces are responsible for ensuring that routine shift patterns and repetitive planned deployments of AFOs are conducted within legal frameworks and should take into account the effects of cumulative fatigue.

39. Next Steps: NPCC will seek independent expert advice to conduct a review of the necessity and practicality of introducing a time limit for the length of duty of authorised firearms officers. NPCC will then issue further national guidance. The provisional target is to complete work by 31 July 2020.