Yes. Answer Yes They must be armed more than or equal to the criminals in order to protect the public.
When not on a call specific to firearms, armed response units undergo normal police duties such as patrolling and assisting units the same as regular officers. So the answer to your question is yes, when not on a call armed response officers will deal with anyone and everyone including drug dealers as would a regular officer.
Guns are heavily regulated in the UK leading to a much lower risk of any suspect being armed with a deadly weapon. As such, there is no need for many officers to be armed for everyday policing. In the situation where a suspect is believe to be armed, firearms trained officers will be deployed and each force has armed response units for such a purpose. Police are already given firearms as standard in high crime areas, areas concerning national security (i.e. Parliament) and anywhere else at high risk of terrorist attacks.
Contrary to popular belief, the police in England ARE armed. Most departments have armed-response officers on duty at all times. Most supervisors carry firearms in their vehicles, as well. While it is true that not ALL officers carry firearms on duty, there is considerable disagreement as to whether this should be changed.
It depends on several things. Not all probation officers in all states are law enforcement officers, but in other states they are. In the performance of duty, a certifed LEO may go armed into another state to carryout their duties.
There are currently around 2000 police officers in London who are trained to use firearms. Because of current security threats, there are plans to increase that number to 2600.
Generally, yes. There has been a recent "explosion" (metaphorically speaking) in the number of Federal officers who are routinely armed.
being armed
Heckler and Koch MP5's and H and K G36C's and a variety of low damage plastic bullet guns. They only used in Firearm related crimes and all airports and train stations. All airport police are equipped with G36C's.
(in the US) Law Enforcement officers have always been armed.
Laws vary by jurisdiction, but typically police officers are allowed to carry firearms in a school setting if they are on duty and have received proper training. Each police department may have its own policies regarding when and where officers are allowed to carry firearms.
Only Firearms Authorised Officers carry guns in the United Kingdom, and they typically are very few out of the entire police force of any given area, although there are a few exceptions in the United Kingdom where the majority or all police officers are armed, such as Northern Ireland.