POLICE have hit out at the Government over a long-promised review into protection for firearms officers.

The review was supposed to examine the sometimes lengthy inquiries officers have to go through after they have fired their weapons on duty.

Some have to face investigations from the Independent Office of Police Complaints.

However, no progress has been made on the review in more than two years.

Chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation Craig O’Leary branded the lack of action ‘disgraceful’.

He said: “It’s a really, really important issue.

“Firearms officers need clarity, they need to know they are going to be supported in their role and be backed up.

“For the Government to sit on this is just disgraceful.”

PC O’Leary believes that the uncertainty is a challenge when it comes to recruiting and retaining firearms officers, even though they have the full backing of the Federation and the Police Firearms Officers Association.

He added: “What officers want too is that level of support from Government, from the top tree.

“I’m in no doubt that this is a contributory factor in the national shortfall in firearms officers.”