Frequently Asked Questions Investigate First

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions Investigate First 1. Can you explain the application process? 1 May 2018 Applications open 10 May 2018 Fast track to detective information event 18 May 2018 Application closing date 31 May 2018 Briefing event at Kent Police College (for applicants that pass shortlisting) w/c 11 June 2018 SEARCH Assessment half day session allocated during this time per candidate w/c 9 July 2018 Final assessment process group exercise, written exercise and final interview w/c 30 July Results to candidates Throughout August and September Clearance stage where candidates will invited to attend medical appointments and fitness tests 15 October 2018 Joining date to Kent Police Investigate First 2. I have submitted an application to become a police constable; can I also submit an application to become a detective constable? No unfortunately you are only allowed one active police officer application at any one time. Please speak to our recruitment team for further advice about detective recruitment and opportunities. 3. What is the salary? You will receive a starting salary of 24,077, rising to 40,382 within your first 7 years. Note: These figures include a yearly 2,000 South East allowance. You ll also receive 1% bonus payment until 31st August Will I wear a uniform? Yes for the first year including your initial training. You will be issued with a full uniform as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - baton, handcuffs, PAVA spray and vest. After the first year, you will move into a detective post and register for the National Investigator s Exam (NIE). At this point, you will be expected to wear smart business attire. 1

2 5. What will my job title be? When you arrive at the Kent Police College, you will be sworn in (attested) as a police constable and receive your police powers in law. You will be issued with your police constable warrant card. Once you have passed the National Investigator s Exam (NIE), you will be appointed as a trainee detective constable. You will become a detective constable when you have successfully completed the required training and assessments (PIP 2). 6. What is PIP? Training is structured through the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP). The Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) provides a structured development programme to embed and maintain investigative skills for police officers and police staff. It aims to deliver the capability to conduct professional investigations at all levels within the Police Service and in other sectors of law enforcement. PIP provides consistent registration, examination, training, work-place assessment and accreditation to a national standard at each level: PIP 1 priority and volume crime investigations PIP 2 serious and complex investigations (accredited detective) PIP 3 major investigations PIP 4 strategic management of highly complex investigations 7. What training will I receive in my first year? You will attend a 19 foundation training course at Kent Police College covering the basics of police work, investigative skills, physical fitness and a community placement. The foundation course includes exams to assess your knowledge and understanding of law and procedures, as well as role plays to assess and develop your practical policing skills. You will also have access to additional training focused on criminal investigation. On completion of the foundation course, you will spend twelve weeks being tutored on a local policing team, delivering frontline uniformed policing to local communities. The work of local policing teams includes responding to public emergencies, tackling anti-social behaviour and conducting investigations. To conclude your probationary training you will undertake a ten week Investigative Development Module which includes three weeks of training at Kent Police College covering core investigative skills, followed by 10 weeks investigating local crimes and interviewing suspects. 2

3 You will be expected to achieve independent patrol status, PIP 1 accreditation and completion of your Policing Diploma portfolio by the end of week 52 of your training. You will be supported by our Probationer Development Unit and our team of tutors to achieve this. Having achieved independent patrol status, you will then take up the position of trainee detective constable, working within a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or Vulnerability Investigation Team (VIT). In these posts you will investigate serious and complex crime, working toward your detective accreditation (PIP 2). 8. What training will I receive in my second year? As part of your PIP 2 training, you will pass the National Investigator s Exam (NIE), receive additional investigative training during the Initial Crime Investigator s Development course and further develop your investigate skills through work based assessment. You will receive support and guidance in the work place from your allocated tutor (an experienced detective) and also from your line manager. Having successfully met all of the relevant milestones, will be confirmed as a police officer at the end of year two. While it is possible to complete your accreditation as a detective within your probation (first two years) on this programme, you will be supported to complete your accreditation and achieve detective constable status within your third year. There are also opportunities for lateral development within your third year which includes exposure to specialist teams. 9. What qualifications will I achieve? On success completion of your probation you will achieve a Diploma in Policing. You also have the option to convert your PIP 2 qualification into a level 5 Diploma in Criminal Investigation. 10. What support is available on the programme There is plenty of support available, including our professional training team, Probationer Development Unit and our team of tutors and assessors. You will also be allocated a detective mentor from day one to assist and support you in your new career. The diplomas are a nationally recognised academic qualification, so expect some study in your own time. Before you start, we'll give you some pre-read material to help you. High standards of dress, behaviour and attitude are expected and probationary officers will be required to complete work outside of training hours. 3

4 11. What support will I have to pass the National Investigator s Exam (NIE)? The syllabus for the National Investigators Exam is published to assist you to prepare for the exam. The exam is preceded by a 14 week study period where you will be expected to study in your own time toward the exam. Funding is available from Kent Police to support you with the purchase of key training materials. We will provide support to assist you to register and prepare for the exam. This may also include requests for reasonable adjustments within the College of Policing rules. 12. What happens if I am unsuccessful at the NIE? If you are unsuccessful at the NIE, you will have one opportunity to re-sit the exam. Candidates have only two attempts to pass the NIE and you are not able to progress to the detective course until you have passed the exam. Following a second unsuccessful attempt you are unable to re-sit the exam for 18 months and cannot progress to become a PIP 2 Investigator at that stage. This is a national ruling which applies to all NIE candidates. If you were to be unsuccessful on two occasions, there may be opportunities to remain in an investigate role but this will need to be explored on a case by case basis, subject to operational policing requirements at the time. If you were not able to remain in an investigative role, you would be expected to transfer to a local policing team until you are eligible to attempt the NIE again. 13. Where will I be posted? For the first 19 weeks you will be based at Kent Police College in Maidstone where you will work towards your Diploma in Policing. After this you'll be posted to a local policing team on one of our three divisions where you will be tutored by experienced officers for twelve weeks. This is where you will be able to put all your learning into practice and deliver frontline policing to the public for the first time. We will carry out assessments during this time to make sure you're still on track. At the end of your first year you will be posted to a detective role for the first time. We will continue to support you by paring you with an experience detective tutor who will work with you closely during your first few months in a detective role. You will also have the support of a detective sergeant who will line manage you in this role. We will continue 4

5 assessments during this time to make sure you're still on track. Remember your detective mentor will also be available for additional guidance. The locations of your posting will depend on organisational requirements at the time but efforts will be made to reduce travelling where possible. 14. Can I take holiday in my initial training? Yes you can take holiday during your initial training and you will be given a paid leave allowance. However in your first year, you will be expected to take holiday during planned breaks in your training programme. 15. Will I have to work shifts? Policing is a 24 hour business. Shift work and unsociable hours are a necessary part of police work - this includes detectives. Your salary is paid on a 40 hour week, based on a rota which will include evenings, weekends and some night shifts. If you are required to stay at work beyond your tour of duty, you will be able to claim the hours worked for pay or time off in lieu; in accordance with police regulations. 16. Are there other ways to become a detective? Yes, the majority of detectives will still be recruited and trained from the existing police officer work force. Officers have opportunities to move into and out of detective roles during their career. Opportunities also exist for a limited number of police officers to transfer into a detective role and start their detective training within their first two years. This programme is different, as it provides you with a defined and structured pathway toward detective constable from the start of your probation. 17. Will I be able to transfer to other roles, including uniformed roles later in my career? One of reasons that policing is such an interesting and challenging carer is the diversity of roles available. Your mentor and line manager will be able to assist you when considering how best to progress your career, taking account of your strengths, priorities, aspirations and interests. Details of our specialist teams can be found on our website. Once you have completed your probationary period you will be expected to complete a further twelve months in a detective role on division before you are able to apply for roles elsewhere within the organisation. This ensures we can support you to develop a strong foundation of skills and achieve your accreditation as a detective constable. At the end of your third year, you will be able to apply for police officer roles across the organisation. This includes progression into specialist roles and promotion to detective sergeant. 5