Counter Terrorism Checks

[ClayKiller]

Hi,

I recently had my Shotgun Certificate interview after nearly two years of waiting, and it went very well. However, at the end of the interview, the officer mentioned that I would need to wait further weeks or even months for the counter-terrorism department to complete their checks.

Is this a normal part of the process? Should these checks not have been initiated earlier? I was under the impression that certificates are typically issued soon after a successful interview.

Thanks.

 

[SBL]

I’ve never heard of them being involved. It took around 2 weeks following my interview to receive the certificate. I know they contacted one referee following my interview and then I think it was onto the desk of the chief for final approval.

 

[MartynB]

Grant or Renewal ? and which Police Force ? Only the Police know which checks are done on the Police National Computer . Things are certainly very thorough these days , with things like mandatory domestic abuse screening questionnaires for partners of applicants. My renewal took under 4 months , with the certificate arriving 3 weeks after the interview .

 

[ClayKiller]

Grant or Renewal ? and which Police Force ? Only the Police know which checks are done on the Police National Computer . Things are certainly very thorough these days , with things like mandatory domestic abuse screening questionnaires for partners of applicants. My renewal took under 4 months , with the certificate arriving 3 weeks after the interview .

It's for the initial grant by South Wales Police. They've spoken to my referee but haven't spoken to my wife yet—I assume that still needs to happen. Waiting two years is such a long time! They also asked if I'd prefer renewals every three years instead of five?!

 

[Westward]

Have you ever had a security clearance? If so there'll be a file on you at MI5 and they don't break their necks to work in a timely fashion with the police.

Ask me how I know...

 

[ClayKiller]

Have you ever had a security clearance? If so there'll be a file on you at MI5 and they don't break their necks to work in a timely fashion with the police.

Ask me how I know...

No, I've never had a security clearance.

 

[PeeJay]

2 YEARS!!!

 

[ScotMac]

Were you born overseas?

 

[ClayKiller]

Were you born overseas?

Yes

2 YEARS!!!

Yeah, I've been told the delay is due to a backlog from COVID and staffing issues.

 

[Nickredhill]

I think it might have more to do with being born overseas. I have current security clearance and I don't think the police use the national security vetting service. I think it's just down to the admin teams and if they have enough staff, who may be on this forum reading this thread

 

[Nickredhill]

It's for the initial grant by South Wales Police. They've spoken to my referee but haven't spoken to my wife yet—I assume that still needs to happen. Waiting two years is such a long time! They also asked if I'd prefer renewals every three years instead of five?!

They don't usually speak to your wife. In fact they usually prefer to interview you alone

 

[donna]

They don't usually speak to your wife. In fact they usually prefer to interview you alone

When we were with Kent police and before I had my certificate (quite a few years ago) the firearms officer came round and said he was “glad I was there” so he could see how I acted around the guns!! Once I had my licence our renewal dates were fairly close together so would normally see us both at same time.

Now we are with Lincolnshire, so I contacted them the day we moved in and they’ve requested our info from Kent, once they’ve got that they said they will come out to see us both at same time which should take about 3-4 weeks

 

[ClayKiller]

I think it might have more to do with being born overseas. I have current security clearance and I don't think the police use the national security vetting service. I think it's just down to the admin teams and if they have enough staff, who may be on this forum reading this thread

If you are staff reading this forum, please prioritise my application. Thank you!