Staffordshire Police launch recruitment drive for contact centre officers

Do you have what it takes to be part of our force contact centre and help the public in their time of need?

Staffordshire Police is urging anyone who may be interested in a career as a contact centre officer to get in touch before the application deadline closes at midday on Wednesday 9 February.

As a contact centre officer, you will be the voice of Staffordshire Police, acting as the main contact point for members of the public through the emergency 999, or non-emergency 101 call system, and through the force’s social and digital online reporting capabilities.

Your vital role will see you join the frontline of policing where you will be responsible for: collecting and collating important and accurate information, offering advice and support while keeping people calm, and putting them at ease in often complex and difficult circumstances.

To be considered for one of the 20 posts available within the contact centre, you will have: strong communication skills, good typing and IT skills, experience of working effectively as part of a team, and be able to listen to others and respond in a reassuring manner.

Successful applicants will complete full training on the force’s telephony system and bespoke information-gathering and risk-assessment systems. They will also be trained on how to risk assess calls for service to discover relevant information and problem solve.

If successful, candidates will be based within the Contact and Response Directorate, at Staffordshire Police Headquarters on Weston Road, Stafford, and work 8-10 hours shifts.

Total salary starts at £29,307, which includes shift and weekend allowances.

Lisa Cope, Head of Contact, said: “While contact centre officers take both 101 and 999 calls, the role is much more than answering the phone.

“In recent years we have invested in new technology to improve and enhance our engagement and contact with the public online.

“Our contact centre officers are vital - as they are the first point of contact members of the public have when they are reporting a crime or an emergency.

“Dedicated teams work 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to help keep Staffordshire safe.

“It is a fast-paced environment, with over 1,200 calls and 250 online reports received on average each day.

“We really are at the very forefront of policing, and although the role can be challenging, it is extremely rewarding and you can feel the difference you are making to people’s lives.

“I would encourage anyone who is thinking about a career with Staffordshire Police to apply.”

To find out more and to apply, visit: https://careers.staffordshire.police.uk/police-staff-contact-centre-officer/