TWENTY-FOUR hours a day, seven days a week, teams of armed police officers are out protecting the people of South Gloucestershire. The tactical firearms unit, based at Almondsbury Operations Unit, is dispatched to deal with all gun-related crimes from terrorism suspects to serious domestic situations, but they also patrol the streets and execute warrants for wanted criminals. Ali Dent went to meet the members of team TR902, who could face the end of a barrel every shift.
STARING into the end of a gun faced with a split-second decision to shoot or be shot is an everyday possibility for the authorised firearms officers with Avon and Somerset police.
The 18 officers in team TR902 know the risks they could be faced with every time they put on body armour and load their weapons.
And although no one in the team, which runs out of Almondsbury Operations Unit close to the M5, has ever had to shoot a suspect, they are more than prepared for the deadliest of situations.
"The officers in my team have different levels of training but they all have specialist skills," said Sgt John Cockerham.
"We have to work as a close team because we back each other up and need to trust one another."
His team has expertise in dynamic entry, close protection for VIPS and escorting category A prisoners.
Sgt Cockerham, who has 11 years in firearms and 19 years' experience with the police, said his life had flashed before him a few times in his career but even the scariest of situations had always been under control.
"There have been two or three occasions when I have thought that was pretty close," he said. "The worst was chasing an ambulance on the motorway with a man in, who we believed was holding the crew at gunpoint.
"The job is quite physical but we do have some females throughout the unit and it is very helpful because they can see things from a woman's perspective."
Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) Craig Davies, 36, is an experienced member of the team. But with a wife and 16-month-old son at home, he is only too aware of the danger he faces.
"In my opinion this is the pinnacle of police work and I love it," he said. "But my wife is obviously concerned about me on a day-to-day basis.
"One of the main things you need in this job is someone you can rely on out of work."
One of the youngest members of the team, AFO Jamie Bell, is barely a year into the job but has already been involved in a dramatic arrest.
AFO Bell, 28, helped seize two illegal shotguns and a large supply of ammunition after chasing a man wanted on suspicion of indecent assault in Tytherington last June.
"I know my first job where I have to make a split second decision will come at some point but my worst fear, other than being shot myself, is not being able to deal with a situation involving a colleague or a member of the public."
AFO Bell, who is married with two daughters under three, said he is in no more danger now than when he was a district police officer.
"I was sent to all sorts of situations on district, some of which could be a lot more dangerous because we never knew what to expect," he said.
"This job is energetic and dynamic and I am furthering myself as a police officer."
Each member of the team carries a Glock pistol, an H&K carbine, a taser stun gun and a baton gun with plastic bullets.
And while you might not see them regularly patrolling Thornbury High Street or Yate Shopping Centre, they are just moments away should we need them.
Senior AFO Ian Womack said: "Some people can feel intimidated by our appearance but we need to reassure our communities that we are there for their protection and as a deterrent to dangerous criminals."
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