The first chap I mentored just needed a report on his attitude towards and knowledge of shooting safety plus a bit of fac hunting experience. I wasn't a referee to attest to his character etc. Although IMO he was very sound.
And that's the way it should be
An impartial, objective view of the applicants firearms handling etc. If the police are that bothered (and they should be with new applicants who have zero experience), they should bring a firearms officer round with a deactivated rifle, and ask the applicant to talk them through loading/unloading, muzzle clearing, and answer a s