JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016 - 232

FOCUS :

EMERGENCY
SERVICES

If you want to give something back
to your community and fancy tackling
a role that's really worthwhile, varied
and challenging, how about working
in the police service?
On a basic level, police officers work
not only towards investigating crimes.
but also reducing crime overall. A job
as a police officer would see you on the
frontline of your community every day.
But anyone who's drawn to the
police force with the promise of heady
excitement and danger at every turn
might find themselves disappointed.
Of course, you'll be in risky situations but
there's a lot of desk time and paperwork
associated with daily work too.
You'll also find yourself wondering
what makes people tick - or behave
as they do - and drawing on your
compassion and people skills with
everyone you meet.
This is especially important as
part of your work is implementing
initiatives to help reduce crime in
the community, too.
Training to be an unpaid special
constable can be a way to find out if the

2 3 2 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S

police force is for you. You'd give a
minimum of four hours per week.

Are you cut out for a job in the police
service? You'll need...
* A strong sense of ethics and law

and order.
* To be a team player.
* Great communication.
* Problem-solving skills.
* An ability to stay calm and think

clearly under extreme pressure.
* To be in good physical shape and

be reasonably fit.

You can earn...
Different forces around the country
pay different rates, but as a guide your
starting role as a police officer would be
around £23,000. This would rise with
every year of experience you gain on the
job. You also get paid overtime and
flexibility in working hours.

needed but you'll have to pass written
tests and you'll complete a two-year
probationary period as a patrol constable
on the beat.
As the work involves being able to
move quickly, it's vital that you're in
good physical shape. You'd need to
undertake physical fitness training as
part of the screening process, plus a
medical examination.
Check out two new programmes: Fast
Track and Direct Entry, which hope to
attract a wider pool of talent to work in
the police service, plus quickly
promoting good talent from within
(www.college.police.uk/en/talent.htm).
Don't rule yourself out if you have
a minor conviction or a caution - you
might still be able to join the police
force. Obviously there are some
offences that are a no-go - your local
police force can explain more.

Becoming a police officer

Find out if you're eligible to become a

To become a police officer you must be
18 or over and a UK citizen, or a foreign
national allowed to work in the UK.
There are no specific qualifications

police constable. Check out www.
policecouldyou.co.uk/documents/
npia-02-2011.html

Words: Olivia Holcombe. Images: Shutterstock. Wage information provided by National Careers Service unless otherwise stated.

Police

http://www.college.police.uk/en/talent.htm http://policecouldyou.co.uk/documents/

JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016