Police Officer Recruitment Awareness Evening January 2016 KATH THOMAS  KATH THOMASHR MANAGER  SIAN PEARCE  SIAN PEARCE RESOURCING OFFICER KELLY WILLIAMS  KELLY WILLIAMSHR ADMIN OFFICER  ANDY JAMES  ANDY JAMESLEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Aim of this presentation To assist candidates in their preparation in completing the national application form and pass the shortlisting process. To give an insight into the preparation for the Assessment Centre should you be successful at shortlisting. To impart information on the Competency Based Interview Note.....the aim is to help candidates prepare.....we can’t do it for you!...preparation is key! But you have passed the first test by attending this session.

Are you eligible? You must be 18 years of age or over at the time of applying. You should not have a criminal record. You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, have outstanding county court judgments against you, or be subject to a current Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). You need to be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals who are resident in the UK and free from restrictions are also eligible to apply, providing you have held residency for a minimum of 3 years. You can only apply to one force at a time.

Are you eligible? Force Guidelines on Tattoos Tattoos are not acceptable if they: –could cause offence to members of the public or colleagues and/or invite provocation; –are garish or numerous or particularly prominent; –indicate unacceptable attitudes towards women, minority groups or any other section of the community; –indicate alignment with a particular group that could give offence to members of the public or colleagues; –are considered to be discriminatory, rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent or intimidating. –You will be required to wear long sleeves if necessary.

National Application Form Guidelines There are four questions which ask you to provide detailed examples of situations from your recent past experience. You should read the questions and choose your examples carefully. Make sure that you consider all of the prompts. You must give specific examples of what you did or said on a given occasion. It is important that we can see exactly how you behaved. Generalisations about what you usually do, what you did on a number of previous occasions, or what your group/team have done will not score well. We need to know what part you played on that occasion. Try to use examples that you found difficult or challenging to deal with. You can use examples from a work setting, your social, domestic or educational life.

National Application Form Guidelines In all parts of the form please write clearly and concisely. If we cannot read or understand it, we cannot score it. You must not add extra sheets, write outside the space provided or write between the lines. No marks will be given for evidence outside the space provided. Write only a single line of text on each line. Avoid using jargon or slang terms. Please note spelling & grammar will be marked at the application stage. Answer all questions. The application must be all your own work. Applications that contain any material which is not original and accurate may be discontinued.

How to Answer a Question Answers need to be structured! STAR  SITUATION - set the scene  TASK - outline what the goal to achieve was  ACTION - describe the actions you took  RESULTS - what was the RESULT or a need to REVIEW

Application Form – Example Question Example Question / Answer – Working with Others Please give a specific example of a time when you have decided to work with others to achieve a goal? Please describe what the goal was? (Situation) I worked on a team of five people that was tasked with changing the software of all 150+ computers in our company. Each member of the team was from a different department and a specialist in different aspects of the changeover, so we needed to work together to ensure that the changeover occurred during the specified 3 week period with as little disruption as possible.

Application Form – Example Question Continued Why did you decide to work with others to achieve the goal? (Task) The task was very challenging so it was important to involve people with expertise in different areas to make up the team. I considered my own abilities and skills and how they would fit in with the various tasks we had to complete. I also looked at the skills of the team and which people would be best suited to which jobs. I made sure everyone knew what they were doing and helped when people were unsure. I also checked on the progress of the team so that we would meet our deadline.

Application Form – Example Question Continued What did you consider when working with others to achieve the goal? (Action) I concentrated on making sure the team worked together on the job, and tried to provide help if any problems occurred. I did this by organising regular weekly meetings to discuss any problems and monitor our progress against our plans to ensure we were working to the timescales we set. The meetings were also a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better. We also developed a website where team members could raise questions or ask for help.

Application Form – Example Question Continued What was the outcome? (Result) The changeover was very successful, with the team completing its task two days ahead of schedule which is something I was very proud of. The website that was developed for the changeover was kept to help deal with other IT related problems.

POLICE CONSTABLE RECRUITMENT STAGES  Application Form  National Police Assessment Centre (SEARCH)  Competency Based Interview process by Gwent panel  Security Vetting and References  Fitness Test (If successful this will be an annual requirement)  Drug & Biometric Testing (DNA sampling & Fingerprints)  Health Check In addition candidates are required to obtain a Certificate in Knowledge of Policing (CKP) before you begin your role. Holding the CKP is not necessary at the point of application, but successful applicants must ensure they gain it before receiving a formal offer of employment from Gwent Police.

CKP – Certificate in the Knowledge of Policing The Certificate in Knowledge of Policing, which has been established in order to partner the Diploma in Policing, teaches the information that is required to successfully perform the role of a police constable, you will require this certificate before Gwent will issue you an offer letter following successfully completing all recruitment stages. The Certificate in Knowledge of Policing is a pre-join certificate. It has been set up in a bid to ensure that candidates wishing to join the police force already have a basic understanding of the information that is required to become a police officer. For further information on the CKP including what you learn, the benefits, and a list of approved CKP Providers, please visit the below web site.

Assessment Centre (SEARCH) Process  Multiple methods of assessment are used including:  four interactive role-play exercises  two written exercises  a competency-based interview  a verbal ability test and a numerical ability test. These exercises will test your ability to think on your feet, making quick decisions based on sound judgement. We’ll also be able to assess your basic maths and literacy skills. Candidates are assessed against national competencies. Advantages of the use of an Assessment Centre:  They provide a more comprehensive overview of candidates strengths and limitations than any single method of selection. Allowing the candidates to show a range of abilities in a variety of situations.  They are standardised, so every candidate has the same opportunities to demonstrate their skills.

What is a Competency ?  A competency defines a particular group of Behaviours necessary for effective performance when carrying out a particular job function  The competencies necessary for effective performance as a Police Constable have been established through national job analysis.

Police Constable Pay scales (WINDSOR) New Constables will start on a salary of between £19,578 and £22,668 depending on skills, experience and local recruitment needs. Pay PointOfficial Side 0£19,578 1£22,668 2£23,694 3£24,729 4£25,758 5£27,819 6£31,971 7£37,626 New Unsociable payment 10% on hourly rate & enhanced rates for those who work past 8pm – 6am (will only be paid for hours worked)

DATES TO BE AWARE OF: Please be aware if successful at short listing stage you will be required to be available for the following dates: Application Forms available from: 11 Jan 2016 Books Close: 25 Jan 2016 Assessment Centre: Week Commencing 21 March 2016 Interviews to be held: Week Commencing 25 April & 2 May Fitness Tests: Week Commencing 25 April 2016 Drugs & Biometric Test: Week Commencing 25 April 2016 Health Checks: Week Commencing 16 May & w/c 23 May

DATES TO BE AWARE OF: Contd.. INTAKE DATE: JULY 2016 You must make yourself available for Training Which means no holidays will be authorised during your Training timetable

Overview of Training and Realities of the role of a Police Constable

Induction Evening Training Course Non-residential 14 weeks duration Working day/ Shifts Appointments Fitness/OST Classroom/Community based 3 Examinations

Induction Evening 1 st Two Years Complete Training Course 10 Week Tutorship Assessed at 5, 10, 42, 70 & 90 Weeks Must complete Diploma in Policing Confirmed by Chief Constable

Induction Evening Expectations: Knowledge Punctual Smart Respect for colleagues. Honesty/Integrity/ Codes of Conduct Standard of Fitness

What does the job entail? Shift working - including night duty. Dealing with confrontation. Delivering difficult messages. Unsociable hours. Restrictions on private life. Accountability. Dealing with death. Highs and lows.

ANY QUESTIONS?