More than 30 service leavers from across the North logged on to a British Forces Resettlement Services webinar to hear how a move into the Civil Nuclear Constabulary works, according to a CNC update on gov.uk. Attendees heard directly from serving Authorised Firearms Officers about the day-to-day job and what it means for families settling near nuclear sites.

BFRS, set up in 2009, acts as a bridge between the Armed Forces community and employers and training providers, making sure service leavers and their families get the right support, guidance and opportunities as they step out of uniform. That work increasingly signposts veterans into roles that protect nationally important energy infrastructure.

The online briefing set out the CT-AFO role, the CNC’s mission and Code of Ethics, and walked through the recruitment process and the specialist routes on offer. Crucially, the AFOs on the call spoke about transferable skills, their relocation journeys and how they’ve integrated into local communities.

James Graham, General Manager at BFRS, said the fit is strong. He pointed to ex-forces strengths such as “leadership, integrity and disciplined decision-making”, alongside situational awareness and resilience - exactly what’s needed in high-pressure, security‑sensitive environments.

Graham added that collaboration between BFRS and the CNC is about clear routes from military service into armed policing and wider specialist posts safeguarding civil nuclear sites. For many leavers, he said, it’s “a way to continue serving in a highly professional, disciplined and nationally critical policing role.”

The CNC holds a Silver Award under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme and says it is working towards Gold. Silver status recognises employers who have signed the Covenant, ensured Armed Forces candidates are not disadvantaged in recruitment and selection, and made staff aware of positive policies for defence people.

For Northern families, the relevance is obvious. The CNC protects major sites at Sellafield in West Cumbria and Heysham in Lancashire, with further coverage on Teesside at Hartlepool - roles that keep skilled people in good jobs close to home while contributing to national security.

AFOs who spoke on the webinar discussed the practicalities of relocation and building new routines, stressing the importance of settling into host communities as part of the job. That human detail matters in places where the nuclear industry has long underpinned local identity and pay packets.

Prospective applicants were talked through expectations around professional standards and ethics, the structured recruitment pathway and the specialist options available once trained. The message was plain: the bar is high, but military experience provides a strong foundation.

Further guidance for service leavers - including details on roles and support for families - is available on the CNC Jobs website, with BFRS continuing to signpost candidates towards preparation and training.