Strategic Firearms Commander Course Lead

Job summary

This role is available as a designated homeworking role. Please note, some travel will be required to deliver courses predominantly at our sites in either Ryton-on-Dunsmore (CV8 3EN) and Durham (DL15 8DS)​ .

​​Applications for this role are restricted to existing officers of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.​

About us:

Our mission is: Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

Although we are a relatively small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Additional Information:

Although we are Public Servants, we are accredited by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in CSC’s recruitment principles.

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. Therefore, while successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service will follow the standard Cabinet Office policy and new starter/modernised terms will apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process. Where necessary, we may increase the minimum selection criteria to support the effective management of the recruitment process, while ensuring our approach remains fair, transparent and consistent with our Disability Confident commitments.

Job description

​Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of command training and development programmes, supervising students and, where appropriate, associate trainers to ensure that learning objectives are met to course specifications and agreed quality standards. Work with other College departments to provide subject matter expertise in the formulation of evidence-based policing standards and the design and development of learning products. Working in partnership to provide or enable support to those working in policing, through setting standards, sharing knowledge and good practice and supporting professional development. Contribute to improving knowledge and practice within a College professional community. Offer practical support for policing in line with the College strategies and business plan.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• ​​Delivering training programmes to agreed content and assessment specifications ​
• Developing and adapting teaching techniques, lesson plans, scenarios and training materials to meet individual students' learning needs to ensure that all students receive a consistent, high quality training intervention.​​
• Reviewing and revising training packages to address changes to the curriculum, professional practice, guidance, standards and/or feedback from quality assurance data trends, ensuring an inclusive and psychologically safe learning environment.​​

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• ​​Operationally competent Strategic Firearms Commander​
• ​Qualified Trainer to meet the Police Sector Standard for Trainers through either a Level 4 Diploma in Learning and Development, a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training or equivalent or through the College of Policing Training Essentials Programme or be willing to achieve the Level 4 diploma within 18 months​
• ​​A proven track record in demonstrating exemplary leadership skills and achieving successful outcomes ​

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Operationally competent Strategic Firearms Commander
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to translate technical and academic language into an appropriate format and style for all stakeholders.
• Role model for others – being open to receive and give feedback; value diversity and difference; and to work as part of a team to achieve objectives.
• Able to engage with and present to a range of audiences and represent the College effectively in varied forums.

Benefits

We're passionate about our people and offer a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to):

• Continued professional development and structured career paths
• Flexi-time (for certain grades)
• Discounts for on-line shopping
• Free employee support line
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Rewards and recognition scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We also have a number of thriving staff networks that provide the opportunity for advice, support and to drive change. A place to get your voice heard, share experiences and challenge our working practices to ensure equality of opportunity for all.

For more information about our benefits and staff networks, visit What we offer as an employer , College of Policing

College staff have Public Servant status.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

​​Applications for this role are restricted to existing officers of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.​

Vacancy reference: 7250

Anticipated interview dates: w/c 19th October 2026

This role is available for 24 months as a secondment opportunity to:

• serving police officers subs