Due to the recruitment challenges Forces have faced the College of Policing has issued new guidance around recruitment and training of student officers for AFO roles prior to confirmation in rank. Student Officers will therefore be eligible to apply following a review of their application by a 'designated reviewer' - either a supervisor or development officer. The decision to support or recommend an officer's AFO application should be based upon the following core elements: Independent patrol status Capacity for further training and development Operational evidence General knowledge of the office It is recognised that there are a variety of student officer pathways. Therefore, applicants should be satisfied that any attachments/secondments/obligations in furtherance of completing their pathway are discharged PRIOR to the commencement of either April 2025 IFC or September 2025 IFC. There will be no scope for officers to be absent during either IFC and upon successful completion, officers will be immediately operationally deployed as Alliance officers. Further guidance and required checklist to be completed by the applicant and endorsed by a supervisor/designated reviewer can be found here in the COP guidance around review and checklist. Applicants with transferable skills (Military, CNC/MPD) are actively encouraged to apply. Familiarisation Events: In support of this process to encourage underrepresented groups to apply we will be holding 2 Female Only awareness sessions at Winsford Tactical Training Centre on 8th November 2024 & Rhewl Range 14th November 2024 These events will give you an insight into what to expect from the role of an ARV officer, what the pre-selection process entails & what the IFC course itself involves. It is also a great opportunity to ask questions of existing ARV officers and to see the kit and equipment., Applications are welcomed from all underrepresented groups and support will be made available throughout the recruitment process for all applicants. Under-represented groups include: People of ethnic minority Individuals who identify as having a visible or invisible disability Gender in relation to female representation for PC entry routes Gender in relation to male representation for Staff entry routes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) To give you the best possible opportunity of passing the fitness test to proceed to the selection process and maximise your potential, we are offering a wide timeframe to pass the required standard (9.4 on the bleep test or Chester Treadmill test equivalent.) If you are unsuccessful on the first occasion, we will provide training plans to support your development if required. Therefore, you can attempt the test on more than one occasion within either force, the only proviso being that you must have attained the required standard of an AFO by 30th December 2024. Please note there has been a change to which fitness option you undertake. It is now a personal preference as to which fitness test option you do (9.4 bleep test or Chester Treadmill test equivalent.) You no longer require an Occupational Health referral/confirmation to take the Chester treadmill test option. Contact the below Force Trainers to book onto a bleep test or for any information and advice on the bleep or alternative fitness test. Cheshire - Dan Smethurst, Kate Wetnall or Wes Pauline North Wales - Steve Eeles 2 dayPre-Selection assessment days held will be hold at Ruthin, North Wales. This will be a scored process made up practical based assessments and a professional discussion. 6th January -7th January 2025 8th January - 9th January 2025 13th January - 14th January 2025 15th January - 16th January 2025 17th January - 18th January 2025 Prior to the SLP weeks candidates must ensure the following are completed: Firearms medical PST in date PSD health check Candidates to declare on the suitability form if they are X2 TASER trained or scheduled to be on an initial course prior to SLP weeks Successful Pre-Selection candidates will be invited to attend one of the 2 SLP handgun shoot assessment weeks on the following dates: 31st March - 4th April 2025 OR 7th April 2025 - 11th April 2025 On completion of the 2 SLP weeks successful candidates will commence one of the two 2025 13 Weeks-Initial Firearms Course either on 14th April 2025 - 11th July 2025 OR September 2025-December 2025