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Firearms

Firearms:

Click on the gun for more about the Firearms Dept.

FIREARMS SUPPORT TEAM and Firearms Training A dangerous job, which sadly ended in tragedy, occurred in Milford around 1988 one early evening when a man barricaded himself in his house. Inside the house he had wired up the electricity so that he could commit suicide by jumping in the bath. Negotiations went on for some time, until it was decided by Dave Stevens, (to become Chief Constable Essex) the local divisional commander and a cadre member, that an entry had to be made to try and save the man’s life. The house was a not very large semi-detached one on a small estate. Gas and whiz-bangs were shot into the house, and the staircase was rushed to try and prevent the man killing himself, but without success as he beat the police to the bath where he jumped in clutching an electric fire. There was the inevitable enquiry by the Hampshire Police, but they found no cause for criticism. The whiz-bangs blew the stairs away from the wall, and as usual so not unexpectedly started a small fire. One police officer from the FST was hurt by the exploding whiz-bangs as he was moving so quickly he was on top of the thing as it went off, and after a visit to hospital and a short time off sick, he was operational againIn 1990 FST officers following and staking out banks and Securicor vehicles particularly in the east of the county to counter a significant number of armed robberies. Then on 27 November Metropolitan Police Operation Yamoto shoot dead an armed robber at Reigate during an attempted raid on a Securicor van, as was the getaway driver.The number of deployments for the FST in 1990 was for about 130 days, or 71 operations, a workload increasing by about 50% a year. Then in 1991 the number of operations fell to 41 to dramatically increase in 1992/3. The deployment of the ARV reduced the number of FST call outs dramatically.In 1988 Inspector Dick Chase was awarded a CC commendation for ‘outstanding leadership and professionalism as head of the FST over a three year period’, which he considered recognition for the dedication of the whole of the FST, over a very busy period in the history of firearms in Surrey. Recognition is also deserved to Peter Moore who produced much of the tactical plans probably used to day. Peter More was to be awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct in 1992 when he was stabbed during an operation at Brockham Post Office. As a consequence of this incident the Team’s weapons changed to the Heckler and Koch MP5 and to an automatic handgun.When they left the teams PCs Elliott and Fisher received divisional commendations for their commitment to the team and professionalism over many years.Exercising was a constant and some were spectacular as one in Caterham at the old hospital with a full Squadron of SAS. Playing the role of chief constable, the chief superintendent signed over control to the major and a few moments later the noise was incredible and it was so real even down to inspecting the outcome of the raid with the colonel. A further continuing task undertaken by FST and AFO was the protection of royal residences in the county – long, tedious tours of duty.1990’sFollowing an attack on Heathrow by IRA mortars and coded and credible threats to Gatwick the decision was made to deploy armed response vehicles. Other forces were doing this with weapons in locked boxes that could only be opened on instructions from the Operation Room. Surrey allowed for the handgun to be worn openly and discretion was given to officers as to what they deployed with on arrival at the scene of an incident. They never ever let the Force down, which is an indication of the tight selection procedures and the quality of the people involved. A major step change was the deployment of permanent Armed Response Vehicles (ARV’s) to deal with terrorist and armed incidents in the County.Past Firearms Inspectors Surrey Constabulary: Dave Smith, Eric Adams, Mick Wayland, Dick Chase, Alan McArthur, Derek Mann, and in the time of the Constabulary the last being Dave Cook

Chief Constables Commendations

The Firearms Team with Inspector Mick Wayland

Training at Ash Ranges

Firearms Team at H.Q.

Surrey Constabulary

'For those who served'

1851 - 1992

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