§ Lord Burnhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many applications have been made by the Chief Constable of the Thames Valley police force for additional staff in the firearms licensing department; and how these are to be financed. [HL1295]
§ Lord RookerIt is for individual chief officers to determine the staffing arrangements within their force and the chief constable does not have to apply for additional staff for the firearms licensing department. I understand that the Thames Valley Police Firearms Department has a current establishment of 16 civilian personnel and two full-time police officers, plus two part-time staff. Within this establishment there are 10 full-time firearms inquiry officers (including the two police officers) based upon 10 police areas. The establishment figure has remained the same for three consecutive years.
In recent months a further review of staffing levels has been carried out and an increase in the number of firearms inquiry officers is currently under consideration.