JB-15.4 Response Accepted

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:
- The Metropolitan Police Service stated on 28 October 2022 that internal guidance had been issued to CTSFO Tactical Advisors within MO19 on tailoring FA5 forms, and that training time had been set aside for FA form usage and completion (MPS Response to Jermaine Baker Inquiry, October 2022).
- The College of Policing updated APP-AP in August 2023 incorporating amendments to FA form requirements including provision for multidimensional risk assessment and evidential tipping points (College of Policing APP-AP update, August 2023).
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by Claude (Anthropic) on 10 Apr 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
15.4
Response
Accepted
Accepted Metropolitan Police Service Initial Response
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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Accepted National Police Chiefs Council Follow-up
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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Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Aug 2023

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

Source
Report Report into the Death of Jermaine Baker 05 Jul 2022
Responsible Bodies
National Police Chiefs Council Primary
Recommendation age 3.9 yrs
Last formal update 1034 days ago