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24 TOP COVER SPRING 2024

For Andy, this provided his first
introduction to firearms as a baton gun
instructor. The public order training
unit had the responsibility of training
both the senior officers responsible
for strategic decisions, and the Met’s
baton gunners, who were mainly
territorial support group officers. It was
a highly emotional and much-debated
discussion among the rank and file
that baton guns had not been used at
Broadwater Farm; they were at the
scene, but never deployed.

An aura of professionalism
Understandably, all baton gun
instructors were required to be
Authorised Firearms Officers and
Andy underwent his two-week course
on the Model 10 Smith and Wesson
revolver at the Met’s training centre at a part of the bigger squad. By his own Within 18 months, Andy would
Lippitts Hill in 1987. admission, he didn’t deserve to be in be stepping away from public order
“I remember being struck by the the team that went to the Olympics: policing and into the firearms unit.
professionalism of the firearms “On the pitch, I had the turning circle In the Met, moves were afoot to
instructors – not just on the range, but of a North Sea ferry – I was never deploy armed response vehicles
also the tactical and decision-making quick enough! onto the streets of London for the
skills that were demonstrated,” said "I’ve always valued humility as first time.
Andy. “It left an indelible stamp; there an important human trait when it
was certainly an aura that came with comes to personal integrity. A sense Catalyst for change
the firearms instructor role.” Little did of realism and understanding your The incident in Hungerford in
he know that he would become an capabilities gives a better perspective 1987 where Michael Ryan had run
instructor some 10 years later. in life.” amok killing 16 people had been
the catalyst for change. The increase
“ firearms instructors – not just on the range, firearms across the country and
I was struck by the professionalism of the
in incidents involving knives and
particularly in London prompted
but also the tactical and decision-making skills
the need for an immediate response
that were demonstrated. to life-threatening incidents.
The first ARV course was
delivered by Met firearms
On the hockey pitch, Andy was Despite Olympic disappointment, instructors at Lippitts Hill in
enjoying plenty of success. The Met Andy was thrilled to win the UK 1991 and soon after, ARVs were
were still proud of their sportsmen player of the year award in 1990, deployed on the streets of London.
and women, and he was lucky to work the first non-Olympian to win the It was seen as an exciting new
in an environment where physical award. It was a tangible reward for the policing career option for a few
fitness and representing your country commitment he’d given to the sport for of the public order instructors to
were respected and encouraged. He so many years. He was also indebted move across to the firearms unit.
captained England and was part of to the support from those around him Following several of his public
the larger Great Britain training squad in the Met. However, he was aware order colleagues, Andy successfully
that won Gold in Men’s Hockey at the that juggling the two was becoming passed an ARV course and in 1992
Olympics in Seoul in 1988. increasingly more of a challenge as the transferred to the Firearms Unit.
Although he didn’t make the final organisation became less supportive of For Andy, there was a realisation
16 that won gold, he was proud to be representative sport. that joining SO19 and turning

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