Building on the foundations of your armed policing career 

Your journey as a Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Authorised Firearms Officer Counter Terrorism (AFO CT) continues with comprehensive firearms training that sets the foundation for your entire career with MDP.

Following your New Recruits Training Course or New Entrants From Other Forces (NEOF) Training Course (unless you are currently an AFO, which we will acknowledge in your training pathway), you'll embark on a 9-week Initial Firearms Course at one of our training centres across the UK.

Under the guidance of our National Firearms Instructors, you'll understand every element of the College of Policing National Police Firearms Training Curriculum required to become a qualified AFO CT. This intensive programme combines classroom theory, tactical scenarios, and live-fire range training to develop your skills.

Comprehensive learning experience

Our instructors use diverse teaching methods to ensure you succeed, and provide you with support throughout your development. You'll learn how to safely handle and operate all MDP firearms and less lethal options, while gaining essential skills in incident resolution, from negotiation techniques to decisive action when facing threats.

The course emphasises practical application, preparing you for real-life scenarios through realistic training exercises. You'll develop confidence in your abilities while learning to make critical decisions under pressure, skills that will serve you throughout your Defence policing career.

Continuous development

Your Initial Firearms Course is just the beginning of your professional journey. Throughout your career, you'll maintain and enhance your capabilities through annual tactical refresher training, first aid updates, and national qualification shoots that ensure you remain at the peak of operational readiness.

Your firearms training with the Ministry of Defence Police represents more than qualification, it's the foundation for a career dedicated to protecting with purpose.