Welcome to the Police Firearms Officers Association
The PFOA was created to support all those involved in UK Armed Policing and their families. Armed Policing has developed and evolved in recent years. PFOA membership is open to Taser Officers. We see Taser Officers as the AFO's of the future. The PFOA support the national uplift in Armed Policing. The Trustees and staff are a mixture of serving and retired firearms officers, with many years of experience and extensive knowledge. We offer a unique package of support for members and their families.
Who are The PFOA?
If you are involved in UK Armed Policing (including Taser, Specials & Retired officers), you can join us today and become part of a unique Association that really cares for those who are prepared to take on the huge responsibility of carrying a firearm or Taser and making decisions within the command structure of firearms and Taser operations.
Our members include firearms officers, Strategic, Tactical and Operational Firearms Commanders, Tactical advisors, Post Incident Managers, Weapons issuing Officers, Taser Officers including Taser Officers with the Special Constabulary and retired officers.
If you want to speak with someone who has been involved in an incident similar to your own, then we will arrange it from our vast network of contacts. We have members in all forces and agencies. The PFOA is mentioned in the APP Armed Polcing with regards to support for officers and their families.
PFOA Training Services Ltd offers post incident training for the police service and private companies and is licensed by the College of Policing to deliver this training.
We are contactable during working hours through the PFOA HQ, either by phone or email, or in an Emergncy via the 24/7 phone support line.
If you want to write an article for the website or our magazine 'Top Cover' then please get in touch with us, we are always happy to hear about peoples hobbies and experiences.
General
The Association has a CEO, Operations Manager, Board of Trustees along with full and part-time administration staff. The Trustees meet regularly and virtually. They also attend an AGM once a year where members are also invited to attend.
Any officers of any rank involved in UK armed policing or Taser Officers. For example, all Authorised Firearms Officers, Strategic, Tactical, Operational Firearms Commanders, Post Incident Managers, Tactical Firearms Dog Handlers, Negotiators, Weapon Issuing Officers, and Taser Only Officers.
Currently £5 per month (£60 per year)
Your monthly donation becomes part of the funds available to assist members and their families and the running of the charity. The PFOA is non-profit making and ensure funds are spent correctly, proportionality and ethically.
There are several ways: to pay. Direct from your pay monthly (check with force), Debit Card/Credit Card, Pay Pal or Standing Order. Some Forces pay for all their officers.
Your Privacy and Confidentiality are a priority; we DO NOT share your information with any other party or organisation, or individual. We DO NOT ask for your home address, other than for the Gift Aid form.
Forces have a PFOA Co-Ordinator. You can contact PFOA HQ direct during office hours or via the contact us page.
In an emergency PFOA members and families have access to the 24/7 support telephone line.
It’s a matter entirely for you whether you continue to contribute to the PFOA. You can leave at any time.
We welcome retired officers to join.
Some members have decided to continue to pay as they view that they are supporting a valuable charity in support of their colleagues.
Immediately when we are notified by either yourself or your local PFOA Co-ordinator.
Please note in the past we have had officers who are not members who require assistance and then attempted to join. We have an obligation to use members funds correctly and ethically and believe that process is not fair to other paying members.
The Trustees will take a view on ANY request for assistance. We will not pay members debts or grant money for luxury items. Our funds come from you the members, we are entrusted and obligated to use them responsibly.
Our members are extraordinary people carrying out an extraordinary role in policing, we firmly believe you deserve the best support and assistance.
The PFOA will move forward to make sure we are ready to assist members and their families.
Top Cover Magazine is available free to PFOA members. The production costs for this magazine is mostly paid for by advertising.
We are keen for members to contribute to the magazine if you would like to write an article for the magazine please contact HQ.
Yes, The PFOA welcomes Taser Officers to become members.
U19/20 South Fens Business Centre
Fenton Way
Cambridgeshire
Chatteris
PE16 6LD
Tel: 01354 697890 Email: info@pfoa.co.uk
The PFOA HQ is located in a Business Centre with private office premises, with up to date CCTV.
All our data is stored on our own encrypted computer systems and updated regularly
Only vetted PFOA administration staff have access to your private details.
The PFOA is recognised as a support network within the College of Policing - Armed Policing APP
More Questions? Drop us a line here
Testimonials
I have recently been medically retired from the police with PTSD following a serious injury on duty a few years ago.
I would not be here if it was not for the PFOA - they literally saved my life. In February 2017 I was long-term sick off of work and I was in a very bad place.
Whilst I have been unable to continue as a serving officer, I will forever be indebted to the PFOA. I will never be able to repay them for all that they did. All I can say is thank you so much from me and my family.
Just wanted to say a very big ‘Thank you’ to you and your team for all your care and the surprise of a lovely hamper. Your kind words of support over the last few months will not be forgotten.
Here’s hoping you and your team have a well deserved break over the Christmas period.
I have just received a delivery of a beautiful hamper It’s left me speechless and put a lump in my throat.I’m so grateful for everything you all have done supporting me through a really difficult time that is still ongoing with all the support you have given me, from simply speaking with you in your office, from regular calls from Sarah, and your amazing support in providing ongoing counselling for me.
And now, this lovely gesture is you going way above and beyond everything.It means the world and even though it might not seem like much from your end, as somebody receiving all of your support, it’s very much the difference between just getting by and sinking. You’ve stopped me sinking and I’ve never had anywhere near any kind of support from ‘The Job’, they could learn so much from you.
I’m humbled and touched by everything you've done and are doing for me.Please never underestimate how much you being there means to people like me. Simply thanking you doesn’t do what you do justice but at this stage, it’s all I can do at the moment, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you all so very much.
I would also like to just thank the PFOA for the support you have provided me through what has been an extremely challenging year.
Please pass that on to the whole team.
My experience of dealing with yourselves has been nothing but positive.
I contacted yourselves last September in regards to your counselling service/assistance and I just wanted to drop a line to say a massive thank you. You were recommended to me by a colleague and I have to say that from start to finish I thought your staff and assistance was personal, helpful, kind and faultless. Every contact I had with yourselves was positive and the persons that handled my enquiries were great.
Thank you so much, the counselling I received was excellent and hugely beneficial to myself. I am more than happy to pass on any information on my circumstances if it would assist you in any way or help any of my colleagues in the future.
Again, thanks so much for your efforts and help, it is really appreciated
Just a quick email to say Thankyou!
On Friday I was contacted by Mick to discuss a recent injury I sustained whilst off duty.
This has seen me off work and having surgery to fit a plate and 4 screws to my left wrist.
To my surprise I came home today to find a large delivery on my doorstep addressed to me and my wife with compliments from the PFOA.
Having been a Police officer for 19 and a half years, I have to say that I have never had an experience like this before.
Mick was extremely attentive and took time to listen to my issues, talk things through and most importantly dealt with me on a personal level, having a laugh and a joke and relating his own experiences to mine.
I really appreciated his contact and this kind gesture from the PFOA.
I just wanted to drop a quick email to thank you lot for your help today, I'm not sure if it was yourself or a colleague, I spoke to this afternoon but I just want to say your help was very much appreciated and the person I spoke with was brilliant.
It's nice for it to be so easy when looking for assistance, these days people want you to jump through hoop then usually turn you down.
I just wanted to drop you a little message to pass on my gratitude for arranging the counselling sessions for me when I was struggling. It has been so helpful and has made such a massive difference. You helped me and my family out and for that we are eternally grateful.
I recently had to make use of the services the PFOA provide. This was probably one the hardest things I have had to do, even though I know that there are people out there who were far worse of than myself. I have been part of the PFOA since its inception and I have been promoting the benefits of membership to all and anyone who would listen, never thinking or believing that I would need to seek help for myself. Your team were extremely helpful, non-judgemental and supportive allowing me to relax which meant I was able to get the help in needed.
Within less than 24 hours of my call for assistance, I had been contacted by the office , sorry I cannot remember the guys name and had been contacted by the counsellor, the process was seamless.
I just wanted to write a short email to thank you for the help you provided me during a particularly difficult period. The counselling sessions you covered were extremely beneficial and have me back on track with my personal and work life.
The work that you carry out really is invaluable and I will be sure to speak about the benefits, being a member of the PFOA can provide at times when it is much needed. So again thank you to everybody that gives up their time to assist members like myself.
I just wanted to pass on a huge thank you to the association for the gift hamper for my wife and children that was received today!
The boost this has given my family at this very difficult time while I am in hospital, I am just so grateful. I genuinely feel like I am part of a group of workers in firearms officers that is so supportive and like a big family!
To be supported by an association that has shown support and genuine care it really means the world.
So thank you again and cannot express how far this gesture has gone!
Just want to say a massive thank you to you all for the support I've received the past few days. The work you do is absolutely phenomenal. I want to say a big thank you to Mick for his phone call with me on Monday and to Kim for her brilliant NLP session today, I have gained a lot more confidence for returning to work after my injury.
