[pukingdog]

I like the looks of this figure, and the subject has always interested me. I have seen pics of bearded APOs during various events, are they employed for normal street patrol? A friend of mine, seeing London afoot, had to detour after meeting some policemen that he described as looking like this. Very large fellows, too.

I really like this figure, it's a shame the MP5 has automatic settings.

Are Metropolitan Police MP5s semi-automatic only?

 

[pukingdog]

Are Metropolitan Police MP5s semi-automatic only?

Kinda answered my own question. The only immediate sources were wiki pages, the actual Metro Police sites do not share that detail.

Before a police officer can apply to join the firearms unit, they are required to have completed their two-year probationary period. After being screened for security clearance and undergoing various interviews, they are invited to attend the National Police Firearms Training Centre at Gravesend, Kent. At the centre, the potential AFOs undergo one week of intensive training on the Glock 17 pistol, Heckler & Koch MP5 semi automatic carbine (my emphasis), Heckler & Koch L104A1 baton gun and the X26 Taser. This is followed by training on the legal regulations regarding the police use of firearms and rules of engagement, a further six weeks of training is focused solely on ARVs, with an emphasis on driving techniques, high speed pursuit methods and safely executing controlled crashes.

The MP5SFA2 (SF - single-fire) was developed in 1986 in response to the American FBI solicitation for a "9 mm Single-fire Carbine". It is the same as the MP5A2 but is fitted with an ambidextrous semi-automatic only trigger group. The MP5SFA3 is similar except it has a retractable metal stock like the MP5A3.

 

[pukingdog]

Apparently, the MOD Police tote "MP7-SF: Semi-automatic only variant of MP7. Currently used by Ministry of Defence Police in United Kingdom."*

More bearded lads:

Back in 2015, the Gloucestershire Police posted regulations banning officers' beards. I dunno how that worked out.

Another idea, the fellow on the right (your right).

*from Wiki

 

[pukingdog]

I'll be using your post for some tweaks to the figure, Moggy. Some of it sounds readily fixable, other parts may require dye or fabric paint. I wonder if Modeling Toys might have been fooled by the pictures of the trousers, the blue-black hues can be tricky. They likely thought it was black. By your last remark, I gather that inspections and standards are a bit more relaxed for armed police?