SHAPE YOUR STORY, SHAPE OUR STORY
Policing is a career like no other. Our police officers, police staff and volunteers show courage, teamwork and compassion on a daily basis to make a real difference to people’s lives in the communities they serve.
At Hampshire Constabulary we look for all kinds of skills, because we know it takes all kinds of people to protect the public. Problem solving, compassion, resilience, respect, courage and teamwork. These are the qualities we are looking for. You could be part of an increasingly diverse workforce, and develop the skills and knowledge to deal with new and emerging types of crime, such as cybercrime, as well as high-harm offences like domestic abuse or serious sexual offences. It’s a role that offers job stability and huge day to day variety.
Diversity is something we welcome and want to increase because we know that having diverse empowered teams allows us to understand new ideas and perspectives to make better decisions to offer an even better service to our communities. We have a positive action team, and support groups in force that are here to help.
If you think you might have the skills to serve, why not apply?
Khurram’s Story:
Why did you choose the police, and Hampshire Constabulary in particular, as a career?
Serving the public is in my DNA.
I have always had an interest in Law Enforcement, but only recently did I feel ready to join the police.
In 2012, I joined The National Archives as a Security Officer. I really enjoyed my role there, so I decided to take my career further in the same direction by joining the HM Prison Service as a Prison Officer. After working in a multi-agency environment, I felt that I could use my skills and experience to serve my community as a Police Officer.
There were several reasons to join the Hampshire Constabulary. Firstly, it was my home police force, and secondly, I felt that Hampshire needs officers from under-represented communities. Other forces around the country, especially the MET Police, have officers from differing backgrounds, so I felt strongly that I had a duty to step up and help the constabulary mirror the multicultural, diverse community it serves.
How have the skills and experience you already had prior to joining helped you in the modern police service?
I feel that my cultural and religious background, multi-language skills, experience in conflict management and decision making under pressure, was a massive advantage, not only for myself but my team, force and the community I serve. I was born in a Muslim family in Pakistan. Religion was always part of my upbringing. I am fluent in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. These languages helped me break barriers in my public facing policing role. My religious knowledge helped me clarify many concepts of Islam among my peers. This also equipped them with basic cultural and religious manners of different ethnic minorities of our community. My experience from HMPS gave me skills and confidence to deal with extremely volatile and dynamic situations.
What training routes were on offer to applicants? Which did you follow, and why?
I applied for the Hampshire Constabulary in 2016. At that time there was only one standard route to join as a PC.
Applicants go through paper sifting and then an internal interview. Successful candidates then get an invitation to national selection for police offices (SEARCH). This included English report writing, maths, role-plays and a final interview. Successful candidates then need to complete a vetting, medical and fitness test.
Once all cleared, candidates receive an offer and a start date for 15 weeks training at Netley.
What are the possibilities for career and personal development and/or specialising in particular roles? What are the usual timescales involved?
The possibilities are endless, it all depends on what an individual wants to achieve and how much effort and work one invests in it. During the first couple of years of probation, a student officer will have an opportunity to work with different departments of the force and learn basic skills. This also gives them chance to develop their interest for a specialist role.
Opportunities to pursue promotions or even fast track development scheme are also there for ambitious officers to go through the ranks. I have had the opportunity to represent my force at national and international policing events. In short, being an officer from an ethnic background has never been a disadvantage for me.
Why do you think it is important that Hampshire Constabulary has a diverse workforce that reflects the local community?
Diversity and inclusivity is key to the performance of any organisation. It is even more critical when it comes to policing. Hampshire does not have a diverse workforce when compared to other forces around the country, and it has been reaching out to diversify its workforce over the last few years. Efforts been made and measures have been implemented to promote policing as a career in ethnic minority groups. Recruitment events and positive action support for applicants have improved diversity in our force, but we still need more people from all communities to join us and help us serve the public better.
Is there any special support available for BAME candidates?
Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney is the force’s Race Champion. There are several support groups to meet the needs of everyone. The BEAM support group is very active helping staff and officers from ethnic backgrounds, and focuses on recruitment, retention and progression of BME staff/officers within Hampshire Constabulary. BEAM SPOCS are the friendly faces, spread around the force to discuss any issues in confidence.
Have you faced any prejudices in the workplace at Hampshire Constabulary?
I have personally never experienced any prejudice within Hampshire Constabulary. I have always been treated with respect and fairness. The Professional Standards Department deals with all internal complaints and disciplinary issues. The BEAM support group also raises and addresses any issues. Hampshire Constabulary do not have any room for discrimination and all complaints are dealt with promptly and robustly.
Is there much variety in what you do day to day?
As a frontline response officer, no one day is the same. We respond to all emergencies. One can never predict what to expect when we come to work. Police officers not only deal with crime, but public welfare and vulnerability is a vital part of our day to day role. Missing people, concern for welfare, medical emergencies, traffic management etc… are very common. My Future
What is it about your role that you enjoy and what motivates you most? And the downsides?
I enjoy all aspects of my role. It may sound strange, but as a response officer we go towards danger and threat when everyone else is running away from it.
The best motivation for me is to know that when someone picks up the phone and dials 999 with the belief that a police officer will respond to protect them regardless of their race, religion, nationality or any other difference. Policing is a tough and challenging career. We get abused, we get assaulted and get injured too. You may have to work on public holidays and you may miss your family events, but it’s all in the line of duty.
How do you feel you’ve benefitted from choosing a career within the police service?
I have been involved with law enforcement for many years and joining the police service was my ultimate goal. I have benefitted enormously from it on a personal and professional level. I found my purpose and sense of belonging with Hampshire Constabulary. The pride and honour to serve and protect is hard to explain through words, one needs to live through the experience to understand it. Professionally it is an excellent career, with so much to choose from. I feel more financial stability and job satisfaction than I have ever felt before.
What advice would you give anyone who is looking to join the service?
If you have ever thought about joining the police as a career then now is the time. New generations of officers are changing policing all over the world. You will have an opportunity to start an exciting career along with a degree supported by the police service. To me, it is the best job in the world. Not many careers empower you to be the first one to help in an hour of need. It is an honour and privilege for me to wear this uniform and serve.
Joey’s Story:
Why did you choose the police, and Hampshire Constabulary in particular, as a career?
I wanted to join some time ago, but I wanted to gain some life experience before going into a full time professional career. I have family in the police and they had told me how rewarding policing is, not just the fast cars and chasing down the bad guys but also helping people and getting outcomes for the victims of crime. I was born in Hampshire and this is where my roots are. Having children, I did not want to travel too far to and from my place of work, but also Hampshire is one of the largest police areas in England and Wales. It’s very diverse and its support network is one of the best.
How have the skills and experience you already had prior to joining helped you in the modern police service?
Prior to joining Hampshire Constabulary, I worked for the University of Southampton, where I gained skills in dealing with people from different backgrounds and effectively helping me gain confidence in communicating with students, members of the public and outside stakeholders. While dealing with a vast range of duties I also developed organisational skills and the ability to work effectively, efficiently, to make instant decisions, while working independently most of the time.
What training routes were on offer to applicants? Which did you follow, and why?
I entered via the 15-week training at Netley, rather than the degree route that is available now. As well as the PC route, there was also the direct entry Detective Constable route, PCSO (Police Community Support Officer), or Special Constable route. I chose the PC route as I wanted to become a full time frontline officer. The recruitment team were very helpful. They set up workshops and open days that gave an insight into the job and how to prepare for interviews and role plays. I also received a lot of guidance from officers within the force, who were very helpful with passing my initial assessment and the application process.
What range of skills have you developed while on the job?
The skills you can gain are endless. Every day you are learning something new, from effective communication, to being organised and making on the stop decisions using the NDM (National Decision Model). I have also gained skills in first aid and I’ve assisted in CPR saving a life while on duty.
What are the possibilities for career and personal development and/or specialising in particular roles? What are the usual timescales involved?
After your probation period you are able to pursue a career path in anything from armed response to dog handler to high harm team. The opportunities within the force are immense. If there is a particular route you wish to take, the force helps and assists you to develop your skills via attachments to prepare you for the role you wish to choose.
Why do you think it’s important that Hampshire Constabulary has a diverse workforce that reflects the local community?
Hampshire is full of people from different background and different walks of life. Diversity within the force is essential to represent these ethic groups. Diversity builds trust in communities and helps break down barriers between police and public.
Is there any special support available for BAME candidates?
There is a lot of support out there. I am a member of BEAM (Black, Ethnic And Minority Support Group) within the force and I strive to help those of ethnic minorities, such as myself, to succeed in the application process. BEAM provide support to those who wish to attend via workshops and application assistance and also to progress once you are member of the policing family.
Have you faced any prejudices in the workplace at Hampshire Constabulary?
I can say hand on heart I have never faced any prejudices within the work place or from the communities in which I work. I know officers that have and these are issues that are taken very seriously within the force and I would urge anyone that has faced prejudice to come forward and not to let it break you down.
Is there much variety in what you do day to day?
Each day is different, one day I may be dealing with a theft from a shop and the next day I am saving a life by commencing CPR. The job is vast in the fact that we deal with a lot of incidents and this is why it is both exciting and challenging at the same time.
What is it about your role that you enjoy and what motivates you most? And the downsides?
Me personally, I love the people I work with, and the support that I receive from my colleagues and the higher ranks is
the best I have ever had in any job role. I get great satisfaction when we are able to get outcomes for victims of crime and being a part of them rebuilding their lives. I also like communicating with people, breaking down barriers and building confidence between the police and the public. In regards to downsides, I don’t really have any at present. I am still learning and enjoying every aspect of
my work.