JB-15.4 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Amend firearms authorisation forms for risk assessment and tipping points

Recommendation

There should be an amendment to FA (and equivalent) forms to: a. encourage a multidimensional risk assessment (to comply with Article 2) to minimise, to the greatest extent possible, recourse to lethal force; b. include a provision for reference to evidential and, where appropriate, geographical tipping points; c. include a dedicated box on the FA2 form to be completed when no FA1 form has been completed, with an explanation for the reason therefor; d. include the provision (and the requirement) for updating the forms during the course of an operation.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)'s report on 28 October 2022, internal guidance was issued to CTSFO Tactical Advisors within MO19 on tailoring FA5 forms, and training time was set aside for FA form usage and completion. According to the MPS's report, the MPS also noted that the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) was reviewing FA form amendments nationally. According to the College of Policing's APP-AP update of August 2023, the status of this recommendation was completed.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, web.archive.org, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
15.4
Response
Accepted
Accepted National Police Chiefs Council Initial Response
28 Oct 2022

No formal NPCC response published. MPS response (28 October 2022, paras 12-14) confirms NPCC project reviewing FA form amendments nationally. MPS issued internal guidance to CTSFO Tac Advisors within MO19 pending national outcomes.

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Accepted Metropolitan Police Service Follow-up
28 Oct 2022

MPS formally responded on 28 October 2022 (paras 12-14). Internal guidance issued to CTSFO Tac Advisors within MO19 on tailoring FA5 forms. Training time set aside for FA form usage and completion.

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Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Aug 2023

Status as of College of Policing APP-AP update (August 2023): Completed

Source
Source
Inquiry Jermaine Baker Inquiry
Report Report into the Death of Jermaine Baker 05 Jul 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
National Police Chiefs Council Primary
Themes & Tags
Care risk assessment failures Police investigation management Armed Policing Documentation Risk Assessment
Recommendation age 3.7 yrs
Last formal update 966 days ago