HDShark
Well-Known Member
I know this topic is beaten to death, but just want to get peoples opinions on my situation as not sure if Im right to be thinking of lodging a complaint (for all the good it'll do).
I applied for my FAC back in March, and did an early shotgun renewal at the same time. Handed my forms in and paid cash. 3 months passed without hearing from them, so I started playing cat and mouse with the firearms team until eventually I managed to coax the phone number from the assigned FEO out of them. Spoke to him and he said he had been trying to call for weeks, but had the wrong number for me. Not sure how thats at all possible, but never mind. This was the first indication that he was going to be full of it. Anyway, interview arranged for the following week without any further hassle.
At the interview he suggested I get some more experience with one of the calibers I was asking for, and said quite specifically he would hold onto the application for two weeks to allow for this. I agreed and undertook the shooting he suggested, at not inconsiderable expense to myself and some inconvenience to friends. He also asked if he could take my current shotgun certificate with him after the interview, as he indicated my new one would be along very soon. I agreed to this.
After the two weeks I emailed him as he requested with details of the trips and details for someone to verify. Over a month passed and hadn't heard anything back, so phoned him again. Was told he never received the email for some reason and to resend it. Miraculously he received it the second time. Another month wasted.
Fast forward to the beginning of September, there was still no progress and I now needed my shotgun certificate as the game season was underway. He arranged for me to travel into the city to collect it form the front desk of the Police station. We also discussed progress with the application, where he stated it would categorically be off his desk within two weeks, or in his words, his boss would have his arse. Just over two weeks later, he finally contacted one of my references, at a fairly unsociable hour. Id hoped that this meant it was finally progressing. None of the other references were contacted however.
Another month+ passes and still no progress. Called up a fortnight ago to no answer, so left a message. No reply to that, so emailed him asking for an update. Over a week has passed since the email and no answer to that either. Contacted BASC a couple of days ago who advised to email the head of department, which I am about to do. They said if that is ignored they may be able to contact them on my behalf. Also suggested the complaints procedure as a further option.
Am I right to be miffed by all this? Over 8 months since application, and over 4 since interview is one thing, but feel like Im being constantly lied to as for of appeasement, or just plain ignored.
As a side note, Ive a friend waiting on his first shotgun certificate for nearly 20 months now from the same office.....
I applied for my FAC back in March, and did an early shotgun renewal at the same time. Handed my forms in and paid cash. 3 months passed without hearing from them, so I started playing cat and mouse with the firearms team until eventually I managed to coax the phone number from the assigned FEO out of them. Spoke to him and he said he had been trying to call for weeks, but had the wrong number for me. Not sure how thats at all possible, but never mind. This was the first indication that he was going to be full of it. Anyway, interview arranged for the following week without any further hassle.
At the interview he suggested I get some more experience with one of the calibers I was asking for, and said quite specifically he would hold onto the application for two weeks to allow for this. I agreed and undertook the shooting he suggested, at not inconsiderable expense to myself and some inconvenience to friends. He also asked if he could take my current shotgun certificate with him after the interview, as he indicated my new one would be along very soon. I agreed to this.
After the two weeks I emailed him as he requested with details of the trips and details for someone to verify. Over a month passed and hadn't heard anything back, so phoned him again. Was told he never received the email for some reason and to resend it. Miraculously he received it the second time. Another month wasted.
Fast forward to the beginning of September, there was still no progress and I now needed my shotgun certificate as the game season was underway. He arranged for me to travel into the city to collect it form the front desk of the Police station. We also discussed progress with the application, where he stated it would categorically be off his desk within two weeks, or in his words, his boss would have his arse. Just over two weeks later, he finally contacted one of my references, at a fairly unsociable hour. Id hoped that this meant it was finally progressing. None of the other references were contacted however.
Another month+ passes and still no progress. Called up a fortnight ago to no answer, so left a message. No reply to that, so emailed him asking for an update. Over a week has passed since the email and no answer to that either. Contacted BASC a couple of days ago who advised to email the head of department, which I am about to do. They said if that is ignored they may be able to contact them on my behalf. Also suggested the complaints procedure as a further option.
Am I right to be miffed by all this? Over 8 months since application, and over 4 since interview is one thing, but feel like Im being constantly lied to as for of appeasement, or just plain ignored.
As a side note, Ive a friend waiting on his first shotgun certificate for nearly 20 months now from the same office.....
