Are you the face of Community Protection? Your guide to a career with the Community Protection Service

Transcription

1 Are you the face of Community Protection? Your guide to a career with the Community Protection Service

2 We are searching for people with unique qualities. How would you persuade a group of teenagers to stop using a shopping centre as a skateboard park? How would you deal with a local business owner who you suspect is fly-tipping? In what way could you win the trust of a community who are too scared of reprisals when asked to give evidence against those blighting their community? How would you break down barriers to communication and keep your cool in a potentially hostile situation? You don t have the power of arrest. You don t have handcuffs. You don t have a baton. What you do have is you. We rely on our officers abilities of persuasion, tact and quick thinking to deal with some of the most challenging people in difficult situations. These are not qualities that everyone has. You understand that the way you develop relationships and inspire confidence is through listening. You understand the need to judge each situation differently and realise that there might be several solutions to a problem. Your presence inspires confidence in the communities you patrol. Does this sound like you? As a Community Protection Officer you will be given the opportunity and responsibility to develop these skills and make a real difference. Within your local beat team you will work closely with your Police Constable beat manager and Police Community Support Officer colleagues to deal with local issues at a local level.

3 How does a Community Protection Officer (CPO) fit into the policing and local authority structure? As a CPO, you will perform a unique and innovative role. A pioneer in the field of policing, Community Protection is a partnership of Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Police Force, Nottingham City Homes and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. Our officers belong to a big, supportive family network. You are employed within the Community and Culture service area of Nottingham City Council and will support the corporate agenda in the following way: You will build confidence and make a difference in your communities by: Dealing with local issues at a local level; the things that really matter to your neighbourhood. Working within your local beat team of Police Community Support Officer and Special Constable, you will be tasked directly by your Police Constable beat manager. Supporting front line policing to ensure that information on the ground is filtered upwards to your police colleagues. Helping to tackle antisocial behaviour and environmental crime, using the enforcement powers devolved to you. Your role is about building strong links with your communities and dealing with issues that allow your police colleagues to deal with the more high risk and complex policing issues. Your neighbourhoods will know you and you will know them. Essentially, you are a part of the community. So what does a CPO do? Use civil enforcement tools such as issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to deal with anti social behaviour and environmental crime. Be a visible, uniformed presence in your neighbourhood. Discover the issues in your locality and help to solve them. Visit those in your community to build lasting relationships. Inspire confidence and work with stakeholders in your communities such as community, business and religious leaders. Work with Local Area Groups such as Neighbourhood or Pub Watch schemes. Collect intelligence information to support your anti social behaviour officer colleagues. Provide personal safety and crime prevention advice. Act as a professional witness, attending court where necessary. Write statements to support criminal proceedings. Engage with youths. Support schools and youth groups. Support Nottingham s Crime and Drugs Partnership.

4 Variety and the chance to make a difference Each day is different to the one before. This isn t a desk job; this is a back to the floor initiative that sees officers right in the thick of their communities making them stronger and safer. One day you might be dealing with a domestic situation, the next, running a community meeting where residents are upset about the lack of street lighting. You need tact, diplomacy and a professional manner. So, do you have the qualities we need? A professional, calm and positive manner. An ability to be sensitive but remain objective. Effective communication and listening skills. A flexible and responsive attitude. The confidence to tackle inappropriate behaviours. The ability to work in a team, but equally under your own initiative. The skills to deal with people from different religious and social backgrounds, social groups, ages and levels of education. Good written skills and attention to detail. An understanding of the confidential nature of your work.

5 Making an Impact How do our CPOs make a difference in their communities? A day in the life of... Acting Community Protection Team Leader Vicki Olley Basford and Hyson Green Age: 27 How long have you been a CPO? I ve been a CPO since June I started in the city centre and then moved to the Basford and Hyson Green neighbourhood policing area in February What did you do before? I actually don t come from a law enforcement background and was previously a Freestyle holiday rep in Bulgaria. What do you most enjoy about your job? That every day is different, as you never know what s going to happen. I m not the sort of person who likes routine, so this job is perfect for me. I find being a CPO really rewarding as what I put in I get back out and I really feel that we make a difference. My experience as a CPO Life in the city is completely different to working in the neighbourhoods. In the city there are hundreds of people around all the time and so giving out directions to members of the public, educating businesses about bringing their bins in off the streets and making sure the streets remain clean through regular liaison with street scene, are common aspects of the job. Working in a local beat team with a Police Community Support Officer and a beat manager, you are more community based. You get to know your local communities and work to tackle their priorities. This could be anything from dog fouling and fly-tipping to challenging anti-social behaviour and visiting residents to offer advice and guidance in securing themselves and their property against crime. As a team leader I am much more office based than a CPO, but I would never expect my team to do anything I am not prepared to do myself. Even I manage to get out on patrol with my staff on a regular basis. I really do love my job. It s hard work, but I wouldn t have it any other way. You do get bad days, but the good certainly outweighs and makes all the effort we put in worthwhile. A day in the life of... Community Protection Officer Manuel Romero Prostitution Task Force Age: 37 How long have you been a CPO? Since June What did you do before? Deputy Sheriff, Tarrant County Sheriffs department, Fort Worth, Texas. What do you most enjoy about your job? The interaction I have with the public, especially the close interaction with a wide range of social backgrounds. A typical day After arrival and gearing up, it s a look at the calls for the police service that have occurred during the hours between watches. Then I head out into the vice area to monitor both the women working and their customers. During the watch, I undertake one or more visits to other areas used for vice and gather intelligence such as phone numbers left in vice hot spots, for the Police Officers in the Vice unit. If we witness a vice situation, we call dispatch to alert a police unit to the location, where they then deal with the suspected offenders. Everyday is different in the Prostitution Task Force. Within the team there are two CPOs, including myself. My colleague and I still have to deal with the same issues as beat and Response Officers. Such as cycling on footpath complaints, fly tipping, street drinking and other anti social behaviour that we see or respond to from citizen complaints and dispatch.

6 A day in the life of... Community Protection Officer Sukhi Flora Radford Road Hyson Green Age: 37 How long have you been a CPO? Since April What did you do before? I ve previously worked as a Neighbourhood Street Warden, which was changed to an Environmental Community Officer. I worked closely with the city council and the police and provided a link from the residents in my area to the services available to them. What do you most enjoy about your job? A feeling of achievement when you see results from issues you ve been dealing with. Also, everyday is different and you can work at your own pace and focus on those areas that you feel most passionate about. A typical day As a mother I m fortunate enough to have a job that I really enjoy and that fits in around caring for my daughter. Typically, my day begins at 9am, where I get kitted up and start patrolling the streets of Hyson Green. I ll often make my way to public health to sign statements for court hearings. If it any point I see a member of the public littering, I approach them and issue a FPN. In the area I work in, street drinking is an issue that residents have identified as a priority. So if I spot anyone drinking alcohol, I confiscate it and take the person s details to pass onto the anti social behaviour team. I also have a large supermarket on my beat, so I scan cars in the car park and ask the supermarket security to alert those people who have left valuables on display. Whilst out patrolling I also keep an eye out for fly-tipping, dog fouling and graffiti and report it to the ASB helpline, so that they can contact street scene to visit the location and clean up. A day in the life of... Community Protection Officer Graham Bewley City Centre Age: 24 How long have you been a CPO? I joined Community Protection as agency staff in February 2008, and after passing my probation period I became a permanent CPO in May What did you do before? Before I was a CPO, I finished my BA Honours degree in Criminology and Sociology. I then gained experience in enforcement by gaining my SIA license to work in the security industry. Whilst working in security I saw the advertisement for a Community Protection Officer. I realised that the job of being a CPO was exactly what I wanted to do. What do you most enjoy about your job? In my role as a CPO I have the opportunity to make a real difference by taking an uncompromising stance against crime and anti-social behaviour. I do everything I can to reassure the public that we, the policing family are on their side. What are your plans for the future? I would like to remain part of the Community Protection Service for a long time and gain experience across different areas. I have already submitted an application to become part of the Rapid Response Unit. What advice would you give to a person applying to be a CPO? I think you need to be passionate, enthusiastic, keen and always want to strive to make a positive difference to the lives of Nottingham residents. Personally, I enjoy every minute of my job and I am proud to work alongside and be part of one of the finest police forces in the UK. A lack of experience won t necessarily hold you back. I believe that if you re a good communicator, are proactive and have the ability to remain calm and professional, particularly in pressurised situations, then you have the right qualities to be a great CPO.

7 What are the benefits? So what s the next step? There are four clear steps that you need to complete successfully in order to apply for the role of CPO The sense of achievement that comes from making a difference to peoples lives. Variety everyday is different. Working with a diversity of colleagues and communities. A pension scheme. Free travel on the Nottingham City Transport network when in uniform and on patrol. Time outdoors 85% of CPO time is spent patrolling. Competitive rates of pay. Step 1: Fill in the enclosed application form Please complete the form in full, sign it and send it back to the address shown on the form, using the envelope. After receiving your application, we will contact you if you have been successful in passing Step 1 and can progress to Step 2. Step 2: Assessment process If your application is successful in passing the first process we will invite you to the next stage of the assessment process, which will include a test and role-play exercises. Step 3: Attend an interview Step 4: Pass security and reference checks

8 Frequently asked questions How long will the whole process take? The application process takes approximately 8 weeks from submission of application form to offer of employment. Training is typically four weeks and includes first aid, conflict resolution and an accreditation course. Police checks take on average 6-10 weeks and are carried out once a position has been offered. Once in post there is a period of shadowing with a mentor to pass on local knowledge and best practice. What is the salary? Salary ranges from 16,500 to 20,700. Salary progression is available with development into supervisory roles and Rapid Response. Will I have to undergo security checks? The vetting process includes enhanced CRB checks plus a Non-Police Personnel check from the Force Intelligence Bureau. This is more in-depth and will examine further details into an individuals past i.e. family members. What hours will I work? Typically full-time hours are 37 per week between 8am to 10pm and occasionally Saturday working will be required. Part-time opportunities are also available. Will there be a probationary period? How long will I actually spend on the streets, interacting with the community? Approximately 85% i.e. 6.5 hours out of a 7.5 hour shift. Are there any risks involved with being a Community Protection Officer? The risks are minimal. You will be provided with training that includes conflict resolution and equipment such as a uniform, stab vest and police radio. Will I issue fixed penalty notices? Yes, CPOs are expected to utilise accredited powers. Will I have to go to court? Yes, if required. Will I get to drive a police car or use a vehicle? No, you will spend most of your time on foot, or cycle patrol. It is only possible to build links with communities if you are accessible to them. Where will I be working? You will work from a police station. If not, you will still have very close links with the local police station and officers. Will I be uniformed? Yes. Yes, there is a 20 week probationary period.