Page 23 - index

TOP cover aUtUmn 2012 23

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1 Volvo v70
2 Dave Parker
3 Gun safe
4 Simon Feist,
PFoa Co-ordinator

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our members and to explain our role following a shooting in who are supported by two volunteer co-ordinators, myself and
which one of our members is involved. It’s clear that we have a Graham Wharton, who are on call 24/7 for 365 days of the
key role to play, particularly in supporting families of officers. year. We are working collaboratively with Hampshire around
Of course there will be a Post Incident Procedure following PIP and work to the same policy as many of our operational
an officer involved shooting or any other death contact incident. departments are part of the Joint Operational Unit, including
Two of the main firearms Post Incident Managers for TVP are most of the AFOs and the dedicated Firearms Cadre, who provide
Chief Inspectors Graham Wharton and Dave Parker, both PFOA management to nearly all of the firearms incidents in TVP.
members and keen supporters of the work we do. Graham and Hopefully readers will never need to go through a PIP however
Dave have a wealth of experience in PIP, being trained originally if you do please remember that there truly will be support there
by Mr. PIM himself, Steve Howson! Both understand the unique for you and do encourage your Fed reps to contact the PFOA
role performed by Firearms Officers and the need to have an who are well versed in issues that surround such traumatic
open and transparent investigation. The PIM role is vital to incidents. We can provide financial and psychological support
this, and as we all know there are enormous pressures on many to the POs and their family who can also be affected. It really is
people, whether it be the Firearms Officers themselves or those in so very important to sort out the welfare needs of the Principal
command positions making decisions relating to the use of force. Officers otherwise the long term affects can be quite severe.”
Thames Valley Police have comprehensive training facilities
Dave parker: backed up by instructors and staff who are committed to
“Thames Valley has now got a good reputation for using the delivering the best training for their officers. The Force provided
Post Incident Procedure outside the firearms arena for all CT SFOs and Protection Officers for the recent Olympic Games
incidents which have resulted in a death or life changing injuries as well as policing their own rowing event at Eton Dorney. I have
after police contact. Thankfully none of our AFOs have been been invited on several occasions to speak with new Firearms
required to discharge their firearms outside of training for over Officers about post incident procedures and have always been
10 years however, as operational colleagues who provide valuable impressed with the professionalism displayed by the Instructors
support to local area and force departments, they are vulnerable as well as the students. It was also nice to catch up with ACC
to becoming involved in such life changing incidents for all Helen Ball, who served as a Superintendent in CO19. Helen was
those involved. In 2011 as a Force we dealt with 13 incidents also the Ch/Supt of ‘Trident’ whilst in the Met, probably one of
of which nine involved those classed as being vulnerable/EMD. the most high profile commands in the UK, working closely with
This calendar year the figure is already up to 10 with half of them Firearms Officers on a daily basis. In the Winter edition of TOP
being deemed vulnerable/EMD. Several of these jobs have sadly cover we visit the States of Guernsey Firearms Unit ■
involved AFOs who have been supported through the process
right up to Inquests by a group of nine Post Incident Managers