Medical standards for Authorised Firearms Officers

The demanding nature of Defence armed policing requires officers to meet rigorous medical standards. As an Authorised Firearms Officer protecting critical Defence assets, your physical and mental health directly impacts your ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.

The Medical Assessment Process

Following successful completion of interview stages, you'll be invited to attend a comprehensive pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol testing alongside your Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT).

Pre-Medical Requirements:

You'll receive three essential forms to complete before your medical appointment:

• Medical History Questionnaire: Complete section 1 personally, then arrange for your GP to complete, sign, and stamp section 2

• Opticians' Form: Must be completed, signed, and stamped by a qualified optician

• Audio Form: Complete all sections except the final page, which will be completed by the MOD OHSP Practitioner

Medical Assessment Components:

Your comprehensive medical will include:

• Audiometry (hearing assessment)

• Vision testing

• Blood pressure and pulse monitoring

• Urinalysis

• Lung function evaluation

• Height and weight measurements with BMI calculation

• Substance abuse and alcohol breath testing

• Health surveillance respiratory questionnaire

• Breathing apparatus health screening assessment

Essential Medical Standards

Hearing Requirements

Clear communication is vital for officer safety and operational effectiveness. You must achieve the Authorised Firearms Officer hearing standard unaided, as set by the College of Policing.

Standards

Hearing is assessed using pure tone air conduction audiometry, measuring total hearing loss in decibels (dB). You will fail if:

• Sum of hearing loss exceeds 84dB over 0.5, 1, and 2KHz frequencies,

  OR

• Sum of hearing loss exceeds 123dB over 3, 4, and 6KHz frequencies

Consequences

Failure to meet hearing standards results in immediate disqualification from the recruitment process. Meeting standards but with a changed HSE category requires follow-up review within 1-4 weeks.

Vision Standards

Exceptional visual acuity is essential for safe firearms handling and accurate situational assessment.

Standards

• Binocular vision: 6/7.5 (aided or unaided)

• Worst eye: 6/12 or better (aided or unaided)

• Unaided binocular vision: 6/36 or better (soft contact lens wearers may be exempt from unaided standard)

• Near vision: N8 (both corrected and uncorrected)

• Visual field: Minimum 120° horizontal by 100° vertical

Bring your glasses/contact lenses and current prescription to the assessment.

Consequences

• Failing vision standards results in temporary removal from firearms duties. You must attend your own optometrist for corrective treatment and provide prescription details to Optima Health. A telephone review will be arranged within two weeks to discuss results.

Laser Surgery

Acceptable if six weeks have elapsed post-surgery with no side effects, and vision standards are met.

Colour Vision

Must pass rigorous colour vision testing including the Ishihara test and additional assessments if required. Colour correcting lenses are not acceptable.

Blood Pressure and Pulse

Blood pressure is checked three times during your medical assessment.

Standards

• Acceptable: Consistently 140mmHg/90mmHg or below

• Borderline: Between 140mmHg/90mmHg and 160mmHg/100mmHg

• Concerning: Between above levels with clinical symptoms and blood/protein in urine

• Critical: Sustained systolic BP of 160mmHg+ or diastolic BP of 100mmHg+

Consequences vary by reading

• Acceptable readings result in a pass

• Borderline readings require GP follow-up but duties continue

• Concerning readings result in temporary operational restriction and mandatory GP visit

• Critical readings result in immediate removal from armed and emergency driving duties

Urinalysis

Tests for blood, protein, or glucose in urine samples.

Standards

• Positive results for blood, protein, or glucose require further investigation.

Consequences

• Most officers remain armed during GP referral and follow-up, unless the practitioner deems immediate removal necessary for emergency health reasons.

Lung Function (Respiratory Equipment Users)

Assesses breathing capacity for officers required to use respiratory equipment.

Standards

• Referral to GP required if:

• FEV1 is less than 80% predicted

• FVC is less than 80% predicted 

• 10% or greater drop in FEV1 or FVC over 12-18 months

Consequences

• Officers typically remain armed but may be restricted from respiratory duties pending review. Follow-up appointment required within two weeks.

Physical Health Standards

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Must be between 19 and 30, with waist circumference under 40 inches (men) or 35 inches (women). Alternative measurements include waist-to-hip ratio under 0.95 (men) or 0.80 (women), or body fat under 21% (men) or 30% (women).

Medical Conditions Assessment

Common conditions are assessed individually based on their potential impact on operational capability:

Asthma

• Individual assessment required. Well-managed asthma with medication may be acceptable.

Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is unlikely to be suitable.

• Type 2 diabetes requires demonstration of effective management and ability to adapt to shift patterns and variable meal times.

Epilepsy

• Generally unsuitable, but individual assessment considers history of episodes after age 5.

Mental Health

• Stress, anxiety, or depression are assessed individually, considering the demanding, public-facing nature of AFO roles. Face-to-face assessment may be required. 

All medical conditions are evaluated through the pre-employment medical process, ensuring fair and thorough assessment of your suitability for this demanding but rewarding career.