Authorised firearms officer
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An authorised firearms officer (AFO) is a British police officer who is authorised and trained to carry and use firearms. The designation is significant because most police officers in the United Kingdom do not routinely carry firearms. The only forces where officers are routinely armed are the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Ministry of Defence Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Belfast Harbour Police and the Belfast International Airport Constabulary.
A Ministry of Defence Police officer on duty in London with an MP7 Personal Defence Weapon.
Authorised firearms officers standing guard at the entrance to Downing Street, London, home of the UK Prime Minister. This officer is attached to the Diplomatic Protection Group.
North Wales Police authorised firearms officers with Heckler & Koch G36C rifle during UK general election in June 2017
Law enforcement in the United Kingdom is organised separately in each of the legal systems of the United Kingdom: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Most law enforcement duties are carried out by those who hold the office of police constable of a territorial police force.
The British Transport Police are responsible for policing the railway network of England, Scotland and Wales
An example of a UK police vehicle, this one a Norfolk Constabulary Vauxhall Astra, featuring standardised blue and yellow battenburg markings used by all UK police forces.
Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officer wearing chemical protective equipment and armed with a HK7 personal defence weapon taking part in training