Police Firearms Association

 

The PFOA has been created to support all those involved in firearms operations, and their families. It is managed by serving and retired police officers with many years experience in this field. It offers a unique package of support for officers and their families, which is supported by ACPO Firearms, The Police Federation of England & Wales, College of Policing and The Superintendents Association.  

 

Created by firearms officers in 2009 the Association became a registered Charity in England & Wales in 2010. The PFOA has over 4000 members UK wide. It provides unique support to officers and their families, which includes access to 234 Counsellors, EMDR and CBT Therapists. There are also 8 PFOA Coaches who specialize in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Emotional Freedom Technique; these coaches are all serving firearms officers. The Association provides discreet welfare support for officers and their families, particularly if a force cannot provide specialist support. There are also times when an officer or his/her family do not wish to avail themselves of support offered by the force. The PFOA gives them choices.

 

One of the main objectives of the PFOA has been to support the often forgotten-about families. Much of the work it does has nothing to do with shootings. It has supported families where there is a serious illness, stress and anxiety, marital problems, basically anything that affects the work of the officer. The PFOA does not provide legal support, debt consolidation, or provide any kind of discipline representation. This is, and has always been, the role of the Police Federation.

 

 

The PFOA has a CEO, Mark Williams, and eight Trustees, all of which are operational firearms officers, firearms commanders and Post Incident Managers. They serve in Gwent, MDP, Humberside, Kent, Essex, Police Service of Scotland and the Met.

 

 

The PFOA is currently providing specialist training to the Police Federation of England & Wales. A unique Post Incident Procedures Course will be rolling out across the UK in 2014. The assessed pass or fail course has raised the bar in training for Federation Representatives who play a key role in supporting their members following a death or serious injury incident.

 

The PFOA is there for Fed Reps as well! Use the Association for advice on firearms matters, or for specialist welfare support and training. The Association is proud to work with GMP Federation, who have given their full support and backing since it started. This support has included GMP Federation encouraging the Chief Constable to fund all GMP Firearms Officers membership to the PFOA for the past two years!

 

Membership to the PFOA is just £4 per month and is open to all those involved in any aspect of firearms policing. This includes Federation Representatives, who are often placed under enormous stress when dealing with complex and demanding cases.

 

For further information visit our website  www.pfoa.co.uk

or call our office on 01354 742 444.