AG-2 Response Accepted Self-assessed

HMICFRS Thematic Inspection of Armed Policing

Recommendation

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) should conduct a thematic inspection or inspections concerning: (i) the selection and training of officers authorised to use weapons requiring special authorisation; (ii) the selection and training of officers authorised to command incidents involving the use of weapons requiring special authorisation; (iii) the selection and training of officers authorised to provide tactical advice relating to the use of weapons requiring special authorisation; (iv) compliance with the Code and/or the Armed Policing module of the College of Policing's Authorised Professional Practice (APP) relating to the police use of firearms; and (v) compliance with the Code and/or APP concerning the procurement and use of special munitions.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
By May 2020, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) had considered the recommendation and stated an intention to address it through the improved PEEL process arriving in 2020/21 (Government Response, May 2020). However, no specific HMICFRS thematic inspection report on the selection and training of armed officers or commanders, as recommended, has been publicly identified since this statement of intent from May 2020.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Response
Accepted
Accepted HMICFRS
21 May 2020

HMICFRS response to the Anthony Grainger Inquiry. 13. HMICFRS have now had the opportunity to consider recommendation 2 of the Anthony Grainger Inquiry. 14. HMICFRS note that the Inquiry Chair, His Honour Judge Teague, was not prescriptive in the recommendation about the precise content for such inspections, or when they should take place. He recognised that these remain matters for HMICFRS. 15. HMICFRS consider that the improved PEEL process arriving in 2020/21 provides the most proportionate, effective and sustainable way both to inspect forces' arrangements for armed policing and the use of less lethal weapons, and to respond to the recommendation to HMICFRS from the Anthony Grainger Inquiry.

Read Full Response
Source
Report The Anthony Grainger Inquiry Report into the Death of Anthony Grainger 11 Jul 2019
Responsible Bodies
HMICFRS Primary
Recommendation age 6.7 yrs
Last formal update 2133 days ago