English: This photograph shows a West Midlands Police Firearms Officer with specialist equipment and uniform.

Firearms officers are on standby around the clock to protect communities in the West Midlands against the threat of gun or knife crime.

The unit is responsible for providing:

• An armed response to all pre-planned and spontaneous firearms incidents (using a number of Armed Response Vehicles (ARVs) patrolling the force area)
• Dedicated tactical advisors
• An armed response at Birmingham International Airport
• Protection for VIPs or premises
• Specialised methods of entry into premises
• All firearms training, lectures and administration
• Maintenance and security for all weapons and ammunition used in the force

New recruits must come through a demanding 10-week course that not only tests physical and technical attributes but also temperament, mental toughness and extreme-pressure decision making.

And now, for the first time, cameras have followed a group of 24 candidates through the intensive course to reveal exactly what it takes to join West Midlands Police’s Armed Response ranks.

The course includes handgun and MP5 accuracy tests as well as tactical exercises on location across the region.

The videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/westmidlandspolice