Having passed the course Officers are then posted to an ARV relief and attend training for three days every six weeks. The ARV course covers aspects such as team building, vehicle deployments, building containments and firearm make-safes to an advanced level. Having passed the course Officers are then posted to an ARV relief and attend training for three days every six weeks. This course provides training for SO19 officers who have passed an extensive selection process to become Specialist Firearms Officers. The course builds on the skills, and experience, these officers gain during their ARV duties, to equip them with the necessary skills for such operations as hostage rescue, rapid entries where firearms are believed to be involved, plain clothes support to other departments and maritime operations.
All Officers are abseil and shotgun trained prior to attending the course.
The course seeks to enhance the Officers shooting skills to an advanced level. Officers must pass the National Rapid Intervention and the Specialist Firearms Officers Shoots. Officers are also trained to work in a variety of clothing which will best protect them from any environment they may find themselves. This will include, chemical, biological and nuclear.