From training to deployment: exploring the self-legitimacy of police firearms officers

In Scotland, and across the UK more generally, policing rests upon the notion of public consent, whereby officers police on behalf of and with the support of the public. In keeping with this imperative, UK police forces elect not to routinely arm their officers. Instead, only a small number of specially selected and highly trained officers (Authorised Firearms Officers - AFOs) are permitted to carry and use firearms as part of their operational duties. These officers are deployed under rigorous standards of training and are authorised to resolve dynamic incidents where threats to life and public safety persist. Over the years, several high-profile police shootings have generated public debate and increased scrutiny around the subject of armed policing. Consequently, much academic research has been devoted to surveying public perceptions of armed policing and to investigating the decision making of armed officers. Meanwhile, much less research has considered the experiences and perspectives of police AFOs themselves. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to address this apparent knowledge gap. More specifically, it aims to improve our understanding of armed officers by exploring their experiences, self-perceptions and use of force. The study employs the concept of ‘self-legitimacy’ and seeks to understand how police AFOs become confident that they rightfully occupy their position. In addition, it also seeks to assess the effect a sense of self-legitimacy has on AFOs and their use of lethal force. To collect data, the researcher interviewed a sample of retired firearms officers and operational commanders. The findings generated from these interviews indicate that the self-legitimacy of AFOs is largely informed by a series of internal processes that confirm their suitability, to the extent that they regard themselves as the best and most appropriate candidates for the position. However, impact of self-legitimacy on the use of lethal force by police AFOs remains unclear.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Masters by Research

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Sneddon, Cameron

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Graham, William
• Annetts, Jason
• Leslie, Neil

• Policing
• Armed policing
• Legitimacy
• Self-legitimacy

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/492d9242-cc61-4592-afad-459a32cf57de

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/492d9242-cc61-4592-afad-459a32cf57de