Impressive performance and attitude from Greater Manchester Police

[12gsnapcaps]

I gave up my certs a few years ago due to life, safe storage and money issues, and just not being able to shoot as much. Was a shame but made sense at the time. Still shot now and again (I think we would all go mad if we couldn't!) but using mates shotguns.

Reapplied middle of December, had my FEO home visit on 14/04 and had my SGC and FAC through the door 25/04 - everything I asked for and an open ticket. No mistakes on either cert.

GMP really have their act together compared to 5+ years ago. Their FLM, Detective Inspector Akker is nice, personable, approachable and really seems to have pulled the unit together. Id also like to thank my lovely new FEO Louise. The absolute legend who is John Atherton has retired now, and incase he ever reads this I truly wish him all the best.

The FLM team is doing a drop in day at Cheshire Gun room in Bolton on 16/05 with on the day variations issued and all questions answered for people looking to get their tickets. I'm impressed how they are working with the community.

If any community members also under GMP have any questions on their cert path etc, feel free to DM me.

 

[scoby3030]

Glad they've managed to turn themselves around at last, heard some horror stories about Grants and Variations with them.

 

[dryan]

They were very good when I dealt with them a decade ago. GMP are a well run force in general, any police I had dealings with were very decent, that said I was never on the wrong side of them.

Good to hear you’re shooting again!

 

[6mmarc]

Good to hear
But still no where near as good as when Jim Jones god rest him was running it and Don Sloan before him
Still will see what happens with my renewal after 41 years of having a license already had an 8 week extension

 

[12gsnapcaps]

I dropped in the shop on Friday and chatted to John (CGR) - The Drop in day was a huge success, and hopefully this bodes well for more similar outreach days. The unit will also be at the Harrogate Shooting show in a couple of weeks, I believe.

 

[dryan]

Good to hear
But still no where near as good as when Jim Jones god rest him was running it and Don Sloan before him
Still will see what happens with my renewal after 41 years of having a license already had an 8 week extension

On my first grant, Jim’s interview consisted of discussing the pubs of Bramhall, then a quick recap of why I wanted each calibre, nothing was refused but I was given accompanied and closed ticket until I submitted a letter from a “mentor”. The mentor bit was taken off after 3 months. I think I had an open ticket within a year as my syndicate in Dumfries wasn’t cleared for any calibre nor were D&G constab clearing any land.
Jim was firm but fair.

 

[6mmarc]

Yeah Jim was a really good guy
Really shocking when gmp fu@ked him over like they did
But as they say that’s in the past now we had Simon and Pete at our club the other month saying how fast they are turning things round now and getting on with stuff
We have had guys get variations in a week and a couple of lads wait 13 weeks for one plenty of lads getting 8 week extensions too at the moment

 

[1000kilograhams]

Glad you're back at it and glad you received a reasonable service

This sounds very impressive for these days and I'm happy some forces are still taking this portion of their job and responsibility seriously, unlike many others. This really should be the norm.