Performing duties in a higher rank

Transcription

1 Policy Performing duties in a higher rank Policy summary This policy outlines the procedure when districts or departments may require officers to perform duties in a higher rank to cover for: abstractions; sickness; course attendance; or temporary cover for vacant posts. A substantive officer should be used wherever possible. Aim The aim of this policy is to explain: how and when the process can be used; the selection and authorisation process; the criteria; the responsibility for authorisation; and when temporary salary allowance is paid. Scope All police officers Compliance Police Regulations 2003 Police Promotions Regulations 1996 (as amended) Section 107 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act Chapter 1 Principles Initial considerations Acting up and temporary promotions should only be allowed if: Stage Description 1 consideration has been given to re-allocating the duties to a substantive officer but, this is deemed inappropriate; and 2 it is essential for operational efficiency; or 3 there are exceptional activities or demands to be met; and 4 it enables an officer to develop and demonstrate they have the skills and abilities to perform the substantive role. Selection of officers In normal circumstances officers should be considered for performing duties in a higher rank from within the district or department s own resources. All suitable officers must be considered and their development needs

2 taken into account, and reasonable adjustments made wherever possible. Officers who have successfully completed OSPRE 1 and 2 and are considering an application for a Force promotion board should be given the opportunity to act up. Depending on the duration and the type of role, a temporary promotion may be advertised to the Force and an officer selected. Badges of office Badges of office may be worn by acting sergeants and inspectors but not by any other acting ranks. Badges of office may be worn by all temporary ranks. High Potential Development Scheme Officers who are on the High Potential Development Scheme may be given preference for vacancies for acting up or temporary promotion if the timing is appropriate to their development. External secondments Officers must obtain the approval of an ACC, as advised by the HR Director, before applying for secondment opportunities outside the organisation which involve temporary promotion to a higher rank. Chapter 2 Criteria Performance Development Review PDR PDR Report overall performance rating Your latest PDR report will be used to determine your eligibility for acting up or temporary promotion. The following criteria applies if you have an: Overall performance rating of Meets expectations; or Exceeds expectations; Unsatisfactory; or Improving/improvement restrictions none not eligible (unless in exceptional circumstances) Interim rating Where an improvement has been made in your performance the rating could be reviewed as part of an interim PDR after a minimum period of 6 months.

3 Exceptional circumstances If you consider that there are exceptional circumstances your HR manager, following discussion with your line manager, has the discretion to decide whether you can be considered for acting up or temporary promotion. For senior roles, above the level of HR manager, the line manager has this discretion. PDR not completed If an officer does not have a current full PDR then they cannot be considered for acting up or temporary promotion. If they have not had a PDR report because they were not at work for an extended period then they should ask their line manager to complete a PDR. Interview Prior to an interview your PDR will be made available to the panel and they can use it to: ask you about the information it contains; or assist them to determine your interview score. The panel will record any impact that your PDR report has on your interview score. Acting up Introduction The short term absence of an officer should not automatically require a junior officer to carry out the duties of a higher rank. Each case should be considered on its merits. When it should be used Acting up can only be considered for continuous periods of 46 days or less. Authority and considerations Acting up is a local arrangement and must be authorised as follows: rank of acting sergeant; or acting inspector; rank of acting chief inspector and must be authorised by district or departmental head. For (time period) up to four weeks; must be authorised by district or departmental head.

4 above; four weeks and above; an ACC A report must be forwarded to HR Resourcing in the first instance. Qualifications for acting sergeants and inspectors Officers should be considered in the following order: Ranking Description 1 st officers who have passed the OSPRE qualifying examination (Part 1 or Part 1 & 2); 2 nd in exceptional circumstances, unqualified officers may be considered for acting up. Note: In the case of 2 above, a form Per 34 must be completed and authorised by the district or departmental head. A copy should be forwarded to HR Resourcing for recording and monitoring purposes. District and departmental heads must have strong evidence that the officer has the necessary knowledge, skills and experience required to carry out the higher role. Acting up allowance Officers of the rank of chief superintendent, or below, who are required to act up into a higher rank than their substantive rank for 10 complete days in any year (1 April 31 March) are eligible to claim an Acting Up Allowance for each additional day the duties are performed. The 10 days are accumulative in the year. If the period is a continuous period and bridges two financial years then the payment will continue until the acting up ceases. Temporary promotion Police officers The resourcing manager (but refer to HR Director above inspector) must approve all temporary promotions for ranks of chief superintendent or below.

5 When it should be used The table below shows the periods of time when temporary promotions will take effect in the below circumstances: Temporary promotion to the rank of: chief superintendent or below Period after one continuous period of *46 days of entitlement to an acting up allowance. ACPO ranks up to Chief Constable Chief Constable * Explanation This does not include the 10 day qualifying period, and therefore the temporary promotion would take place from day 57. as decided by the Chief Constable as decided by the Police and Crime Commissioner. This is not applicable where immediate temporary promotion takes place. Attendance standard The attendance standard will be applied to all requests for temporary promotion. Qualifications for temporary sergeants or inspectors In the case of temporary promotion to the rank of sergeant and inspector, officers must be qualified. For temporary promotion to: The rank of sergeant inspector Qualifications constables must have: passed OSPRE parts 1 or equivalent; be assessed as competent in their current role by their line manager; and completed their probationary period. sergeants must have: passed OSPRE Part 1 or equivalent; and be assessed as competent in their current role by their line manager. Unqualified officers Only in exceptional circumstances, and where no other options are available, may unqualified officers be considered for temporary promotion. The exceptional circumstances relate to an organisational need for a

6 critical function to be performed that would put the Force at risk if it were no carried out and no other person can perform that role. The decision to temporarily promote an officer who is unqualified will be made by the DCC. Pensionable service and pay All periods of temporary promotion will be counted towards service in the higher rank for the purposes of pay increments. This service does not need to be continuous. However, during the periods of temporary promotion any service in the officer s current substantive rank will not be counted. Admin Last reviewed: September 2015 Scheduled for review: September 2019