Careers
with the Police
If you are just starting your career, or
looking to make a career change, then a career in the UK Police
Force should be considered.
A career in the Police Force offers an
exciting mix of challenges and rewards, promotion opportunities
are plentiful and job satisfaction is usually high. You will
find that many employees spend their entire working career with
the Police Force, some changing roles as they successfully
climb the career ladder, and others choosing to remain in their
original position.
Please see the separate Police Job Vacancies section
for further information on job vacancies as a Police Officer,
Police Community Support Officer (PCOS) and Police Special
Constables.
A Career in the Police Force –
Graduates
The Police Force is a leading UK employer of
university graduates, with vacancies available throughout
England and Wales. Graduates who are looking for an exciting
career, with good progression opportunities, high levels of
training and the ability to make a real difference should
strongly consider applying to the Police Force.
The challenges faced on a daily basis by
police offices can be dangerous, mentally challenging and
sometimes disturbing. Candidates should therefore have a good
level of fitness, have a good personality and a high degree of
patience and also be able to demonstrate compassion and
restraint.
The UK Police Force offers careers for
graduates in many specialist roles, including:
Once employed in one of these roles, the
potential to climb the career ladder into a more senior
position is open to you.
In any of the above disciplines, a
university graduate who embarks on a career in the Police Force
may be eligible to join the Police High Potential Development
Scheme. This scheme delivers development opportunities and
support, which allows the candidate to gain a greater insight
into the operations of the Police Force (including departments
they do not usually work in). The aim of this training is to
prepare candidates for senior, strategic leadership roles
within the force.
The starting salary for a graduate recruited
into the Police Force and a Police Officer is around £24,000
and this is increased after initial training. The salary is
higher if you are based in and around London.
Support Roles
When contemplating a career within the UK
Police Force, many people simply think of uniformed Police
Officers. However, there are many jobs available within the
Police Force which are generally office based and
non-uniformed.
If you have worked in an office /
administration environment and are looking to make a career
change, then your local Police Force may have a suitable
vacancy.
Support roles are vital, as they ensure the
policing service runs effectively and efficiently. Some of the
vacancies commonly advertised include the following:
Analyst – This role is
vital to the Force as the employee is responsible for collating
and interpreting data to help deduct and reduce levels of
crime.
Call Handler –
responsible for providing a quick, well-mannered response to
calls received and communicating these calls to the relevant
department(s).
Front Counter Staff –
Employees here are often the “face” of the station, and the
first port of call for anyone entering the police station.
Librarian – In order
to manage the mountains of documentation and literature
required by the Police Force, many stations will employ a
librarian.
Each Police Force across the UK employs a
large number of people, and the job and career opportunities so
wide and varied that it is impossible to list them all. The
Police Force offers a real chance for any committed individual
to carve out an exciting and successful career, which is
rewarding, varied and certainly not 9 to 5. Whether you choose
to go “on the beat” or behind the scenes, a career with the
Police Force is generally unmatched by any other employer.
|