Career Transition Partnership

Police Industry Sector Guide

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Content

Overview Prime Ministers announcement of the Page 3 recruitment of 20,000 new officers over next 3 years What type of roles will I find Page 13 in the industry? Officer Page 4 RightJob Vacancy Information PCSO Page 5 Page 14 Special Page 6 Support Roles Page 7 Current Police Recruitment London and Eastern Region Page 15 Am I eligible to join as a South East and South West Region Police Officer? Page 16 Page 8 - 9 East Mids and West Mids Region Page How do I apply to be a 17 Police Officer? North East and North West Region Page 10 Page 18 Wales and Northern Ireland Salary and BenefitsSalary Page 19 and Benefits Non Geographical Page 20 Page 11 HM Prison and Probation Further Information Service Page 21 Page 12

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Overview

There are 48 police forces in the UK. This number includes specialist, non-geographic forces such as the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and the Ministry of Defence Police. There are 43 geographic forces in England and Wales, one in Scotland (), and one in Northern Ireland (Police Service of Northern Ireland). There are currently 209,400 officers serving in the geographic England and Wales forces, over 17,000 in Scotland, and over 6,000 in Northern Ireland.

The objective of a job in the police service, put simply, will be to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Achieving this will mean:

• meeting daily challenges • accepting responsibility • working as a team • gaining the respect of your community

There are many different types of jobs in the police service. These include:

• Police officers • Police community support officers (England and Wales only) • Special /Volunteers • Police Staff

Other opportunities to work for the police aside from the uniformed officers, special constables and police community support officers seen on the street are in support roles. Some examples of such roles are:

• Analyst - provides analytical support by collating and studying information to help detect and reduce crime • Call handler - provides a professional response to calls received • Front counter personnel - mans the front counter of a station and answer enquiries • Scenes of crime – investigation and recording of crime scenes

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What type of roles will I find in the industry?

Police Officer

As a police officer your job will be to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and promote confidence among local people that the police understand and are prepared to deal with issues that matter most to them.

Policing will enable you to work in partnership with the public and other organisations and make a difference to the local community. You will have a key role in supporting victims and witnesses and providing reassurance to individuals who have been subjected to crime and anti-social behaviour. Many people will look to you for guidance and protection from such experiences and to provide this effectively you will need to be able to see things from their perspective, tailoring your approach to address their particular needs and fears.

You'll be a person who thrives on challenges, and are willing to work hard to learn the skills necessary for this difficult but critical role. This can be a tough and unpredictable job, but it is also an extremely rewarding position. Everyday when you put on your uniform and go to work, you will be making life safer and more secure for your friends and neighbours, and making your town a better place to live.

Through our comprehensive training course you will learn to:

• protect the public from violence • provide a reassuring presence in the community • support victims of crime and offer help to those who have witnessed crimes • investigate complex crimes using a mixture of cutting-edge technology and time-proven traditional methods

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What type of roles will I find in the industry?

Police Community Support Officer

Work as a police community support officer (PCSO) can be very exciting, as each day brings new challenges. You will be involved in the fight against a range of crime and disorder problems.

Just some of the tasks you might encounter on any given day are: • contributing to the regeneration of local communities • increasing public safety • dealing with truants, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, litter, missing persons enquiries • helping to support crime victims • controlling crowds at major events, such as football games or concerts.

The early intervention of PCSOs can often deter people from committing offences, and certainly stops minor problems getting worse.

What is the difference between a PCSO and a police officer? PCSOs do not have powers of arrest, cannot interview or process prisoners, cannot investigate crime and do not carry out the more complex and high-risk tasks that police officers perform.

You must be good on your feet PCSOs spend much of their time on foot patrol, and are a visible, anti-crime presence in communities throughout England and Wales. Because they are so visible, members of the public feel comfortable approaching them with questions or worries about anti-social behaviour or crime. You must be able to communicate effectively and calmly in difficult situations, and to offer comfort and reassurance to the public in order to succeed as a PCSO.

Lots of responsibility Work as a PCSO is demanding, and brings with it a great deal of responsibility. Depending on the rules of the force with which you work, you may be given considerable police powers. You could, for example: • detain someone until a constable arrives • direct traffic and remove vehicles • issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour. 5 Career Transition Partnership

What type of roles will I find in the industry?

Special Constables

The is a force of trained volunteers who work with and support their local police. 'Specials', as special constables are known, come from all walks of life - they are teachers, taxi drivers, accountants and secretaries, or any number of other careers.

Specials spend around four hours a week, or more, supporting the police to tackle crime in their community (duty hours may vary from force to force).

Once they have completed their training, they have the same powers as regular officers and wear a similar uniform.

What's in it for you? Joining the specials opens up a world of opportunity for personal and professional advancement. Undergoing the training and then going out on patrol makes a welcome break from day-to-day life, bringing excitement and challenge with every day you volunteer.

People join the Special Constabulary for many different reasons. You may want: • to give something back to the community • to learn new skills and gain valuable experience • to challenge yourself • to learn first-hand about the police force before committing to a full-time job there • to have a second chance if you've unsuccessfully applied for a job as a regular officer. • Being a special will change you

Becoming a special will help you see life differently. You'll discover a lot you did not know about yourself and you'll learn just how much you are really capable of. You will: • develop self-respect and self-confidence • improve your communication skills • learn more about your community. • You will be working as one of a team and the experiences you share in working closely together can lead to lasting friendships. You will learn more about life and human nature than most people will ever see. 6 Career Transition Partnership

What type of roles will I find in the industry?

Support roles

There are many other opportunities to support the police service, aside from the uniformed officers, special constables and police community support officers you see on the streets.

The support roles employed by the police service play a vital role in ensuring the service runs efficiently and effectively, working in partnership with those in uniform.

Each force tends to operate slightly differently and may have very different job roles, so you should contact your local force to discuss the opportunities available. Below are some examples of the kind of roles you might be able to do: • ANALYST: Provide analytical support for the provision of operational policing by collating and analysing information. Also provide intelligence with the aim of detecting and reducing crime. • CALL CONTROLLER: Manage a professional response to calls received, in accordance with Charter Standards and Force Policy. • FRONT COUNTER PERSONNEL: Provide a response to front counter enquiries in line with Force policy. • PERSONAL SECRETARY: Provide professional secretarial support in response to management needs. • CALL HANDLER: Provide a professional response to calls received, in accordance with Charter Standards and Force Policy. • CRIME RESEARCHER Identify and investigate all sources of information, then evaluate and prioritise that information in order to support the analytical and investigative processes.. • LIBRARIAN: Provide an efficient library service which meets the needs of its customers. • STAFF OFFICER: Conduct inspections into specific areas or themes, making recommendations as appropriate. • VEHICLE REMOVAL OFFICER: Ensure the safe removal of vehicles in line with Force policy. 7 Career Transition Partnership

Am I eligible to join as a Police Officer?

Applicants from all backgrounds and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. Applicants are not limited to any particular age group - in fact, we welcome those who are looking for a career change. The minimum age to apply is 18, and there is no upper age limit, though you should bear in mind that the normal retirement age for police constables and sergeants is 60. You should also be aware that all new recruits, whatever their age, are required to undertake a two-year probationary period. Here are some of the basic eligibility requirements for new police constables:

Age requirements Applications can be accepted at the age of 18. There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service, but bear in mind that the normal retirement age is 60 years ad that new constable recruits are required to undertake a two year probationary period.

Nationality requirements You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the . Candidates who have lived abroad may be required to have resided in the UK for three years due to difficulties often faced with obtaining adequate vetting checks from abroad. All applicants have to be vetted to the same standard before appointment.

Qualifications and experience Different forces will have different requirements so please check the force website to find out their specific requirements at that time.

Criminal record A number of crimes will mean a likely rejection of your application. If you are unsure, contact your chosen force for more information Tattoos You should not have tattoos which could cause offence. Tattoos are not acceptable if they are particularly prominent, garish, offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of your role. Contact 8 your chosen force if you have any particular concerns. Career Transition Partnership

Am I eligible to join as a Police Officer? Financial status Applicants will have their financial status checked. These checks are carried out because Skills you will need to police officers have access to privileged information, which may make them vulnerable to have: corruption. Applicants with outstanding County Court Judgments, who have been registered bankrupt with outstanding debts will be rejected. If you have any discharged bankruptcy ✓ effective communication debts then you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction with your application. If you skills, including tact and have any concerns, contact your chosen force for more information. diplomacy for dealing with sensitive situations Physical fitness ✓ community focus ✓ a sense of personal To ensure you are fit enough for the role, you will undertake a fitness test. We are looking for responsibility, integrity no more than the minimum standard needed to enable you to work effectively as a police and resilience officer. You will be given help to improve your fitness and if you prepare yourself properly, ✓ problem-solving skills there is no reason for you to fail. ✓ a confident and calm manner Health ✓ good literacy skills in Police officers encounter stressful situations, trauma, physical confrontation and work long order to accurately hours on shifts. They need to be resilient enough to cope with the demands and pressures of record details and write police work. Applicants must therefore be in good health mentally and physically to undertake reports respect for diversity police duties. Once you have received a conditional offer of employment you will undergo a ✓ ✓ teamwork skills and the medical examination to ensure you meet the health standards required. ability to work independently Eyesight ✓ professionalism, Applicants will have their eyesight tested at the medical assessment stage. You may be asked honesty and to go to the optician to have your eyes tested and the eyesight form filled in. trustworthiness ✓ sound judgement and a Previous applications proper respect for You can only apply to one force at a time. Your application will not be accepted if you have confidentiality previously applied unsuccessfully to a police force that requires candidates to undertake the ✓ ability to act with Police SEARCH or the College of Policing PCSO Recruit assessment process within the past six resolve, tolerance and restraint. months.

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How do I apply to be a Police Officer?

After you've sent in your The College of Policing have been working with forces and higher education application to be a police partners to develop the new entry routes into policing and early adopters officer, a three-step will be offering places from September 2018. All applications to join the process begins. police service need to be made through a Police Force, the College of Policing are the professional body for the police service and do not deliver Step 1 any of these programmes. On receiving your application form, the force that you have applied to will check your Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) eligibility and mark your This is a professional degree-level apprenticeship, enabling new recruits to responses to competency join the police service as an apprentice police constable and earn while they questions (if these are used learn. During the three-year programme the apprentice will complete by the force). If your a degree in professional policing practice and will be assessed against application is successful, you national assessment criteria as an integral part of their degree will be invited to attend an apprenticeship assessment centre. Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) Step 2 Aimed at degree-holders whose degree is in any subject area. This will If you pass the assessment centre, you will then take a be a two-year (minimum) practice-based programme enabling candidates to fitness test perform the role of a police constable. Successful completion, results in the achievement of a graduate diploma in professional policing practice Step 3 Next, your references will be A Pre-join Degree in Policing checked, you'll undergo a This entry route involves completion of a three-year knowledge- background, security, medical based degree in professional policing prior to joining the police service. and eyesight checks. Becoming a special constable may be included as part of this programme. Candidates who are subsequently recruited will undertake Some forces may choose to practice-based training to develop specific skills and will be assessed against run additional assessment stages, such as a second national assessment criteria in order to demonstrate operational interview. competence.

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Salary and Benefits • The starting salary for police constables in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is .between £19,971 and £23,124, rising to £38,382 at the top of the scale - achievable after about seven years. In Scotland starting salaries are slightly higher at £24,204, rising to £38,001 after about ten years' service. • The range of typical salaries with several years' experience is £39,693 to £43,134 for sergeants, £49,176 to £53,340 for and £54,432 to £56,670 for chief inspectors. • Police officers in London, and the south of England, receive additional pay allowances. This can be up to £6,735 per annum in London.

Income figures are intended as a guide only. What's in it for you? In return for your hard work you will: • have a rewarding job where no two days are ever the same • be constantly challenged and always learning • be valued for your contribution to your community • be well paid and have an excellent benefits package • have continual opportunities for advancement • Depending on your location, benefit from free London travel, flexible working and key-worker living benefits. • receive a minimum of 23 days' annual leave, plus fully-paid sick leave. • be able to become a member of the defined pension scheme, and benefit from employer contributions of 21.3% of their pay towards their pensions on top of their own contributions.

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HM Prison & Probation Service

Who we are and what we do Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, a major public sector department and employer. We are responsible for both the Prison and Probation Service, managing 105 public sector prisons and young offender institutions, plus 12 probation areas across England and Wales. An employer of choice for Service leavers Service leavers who now work for HMPPS welcome the opportunity to use their experience to continue to serve their country, keep people safe, and help individuals make positive life choices. The wide range and variety of roles we offer means there are plenty of opportunities to put your transferrable skills to good use. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for specialisation and promotion – and some great benefits too. Find out more and see some of our latest opportunities. Ever considered a career as a prison officer? “Veterans should seriously consider a The familiarity of the prison structure and routine, along with the pride of being a uniformed career in HMPPS as they have a wide profession, makes working as a prison officer an attractive second career for many Service range of skills and attributes that leavers. would enable them to strive in our ever evolving and progressive As a prison officer you’ll: organisation. I have had access to excellent learning and development • be trained for every situation – with a comprehensive training programme when you first start, opportunities over the last 25 years and additional training available throughout your career and have always been encouraged to • have opportunities to specialise in areas such as physical education or dog handling better myself. • have access to a clear career progression path, from prison officer to senior management • be able to enrol in an attractive Civil Service pension of up to 20% of your salary Also, the Civil Service Pension Scheme • have 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 10 years’ service), plus paid bank holidays is probably one of the best in the UK and as none of us are getting any Our recruitment process takes between six to nine months to complete and, if successful, we can younger, this is something that we defer your start time to coincide with your Service leaving date must all seriously consider when choosing to leave HM Armed Forces.” Find out more Dan, HMP North Sea Camp

Service leavers make up around 10% of our workforce in prisons, and over 75% pass our prison officer assessment process (compared to just over 50% of non-Service leavers). 12 Visit our prison officer website to find out more about this highly rewarding career. Career Transition Partnership

Prime Ministers announcement of the recruitment of 20,000 new officers over next 3 years A national campaign to recruit 20,000 new police officers is launched recently – urging people to join the police and ‘Be a force for all’.

The police recruitment drive is the biggest in decades and follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase police numbers over the next 3 years.

The Chancellor recently announced funding to support the recruitment of a first wave of up to 6,000 officers, who will be shared among the 43 forces in England and Wales. This includes £750 million for 2020 to 2021 and an immediate £45 million to kick-start recruitment.

The remaining 14,000 will be recruited in the following 2 years, backed by government funding, and will be additional to officers hired to fill existing vacancies.

The ‘Be a force for all’ campaign has been developed by the in partnership with the police and using feedback from the public via independent research.

It features serving police officers, including a neighbourhood officer, a police dog handler and a firearms officer. One of the officers started as a volunteer Special Constable, while another is a former charity executive who changed career.

They appear on billboards and digital displays at locations across England and Wales, including at shopping centres and railway stations, as well as in a radio advertisement.

A new website has also been set up to provide potential recruits with more information and direct them to the 13 recruitment pages of local police forces. Career Transition Partnership

Vacancy Information: Sept 2021

See all current UK Wide Police recruitment at a glance at https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk

Current Police opportunities on RightJob:

Job ID Job title Location Closing date N364918 Police Constable Essex 31/03/2022 N365923 Police Constable AFO Dounreay, Scotland 31/12/2021 N394387 Special Constable Cheshire 01/12/2021 (Volunteer Police Constable) N327845 Police Constable Kent 31/10/2021

N394360 Technical Surveillance North West 24/09/2021 Officer

Remember to check RightJob regularly for new Opportunities

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Current Police Recruitment London Region Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment Constable website recruitment City of London NO Police YES Officer recruitment

Eastern Region YES Officer recruitment

Cambridgeshire NO Constabulary YES Apply on RightJob now!

Hertfordshire YES Officer recruitment Constabulary Norfolk YES Officer recruitment Constabulary Suffolk YES Officer recruitment Constabulary

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South East Region Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment Constable website recruitment Hampshire NO Constabulary YES Apply on RightJob now!

Surrey Police NO

Sussex Police NO

Thames Valley Police NO

South West Region

Avon and Somerset NO Constabulary Devon and Cornwall NO Police NO

Gloucestershire NO Constabulary NO

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East Midlands Region

Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment Constable website recruitment Derbyshire NO Constabulary NO

Lincolnshire Police NO

Northamptonshire NO Police Nottinghamshire NO Police

West Midlands Region NO

Warwickshire Police NO

West Mercia Police NO

West Midlands Police NO

South Yorkshire NO Police NO

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North East Region

Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment website Constable recruitment YES Officer recruitment

Durham Constabulary NO

Humberside Police NO

North Yorkshire Police YES Officer recruitment

Northumbria Police NO

North West Region

Cheshire Constabulary NO

Cumbria Constabulary YES Officer recruitment

Greater Manchester NO Police YES Officer recruitment

Lancashire Constabulary NO

Isle of Man Constabulary NO

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Wales Region

Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment Constable website recruitment Dyfed Powys Police NO

Gwent Police NO

North Wales Police NO

South Wales Police NO

Scotland Region Police Scotland YES Officer recruitment

Northern Ireland Region

Police Service of NO Northern Ireland

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Non Geographic Force and link to Officer/ Comments recruitment website Constable recruitment British Transport Police NO

Civil Nuclear YES Officer recruitment Constabulary Ministry of Defence NO Police NO Range of support roles

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Further Information

College of Policing

https://www.policespecials.com/

https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk

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