Dispatch & Contact Officer

Overview

Join to apply for the Dispatch & Contact Officer role at Dorset Police.

Location: Police Headquarters, Winfrith, Dorset. Type of employment: Permanent. Closing Date: 31/10/2025, 12:00. Hours per week: 37 hours per week, with flexible working patterns considered subject to business need.

Responsibilities

The role requires you to participate in the operation of the Dorset Contact Management and provide a high-quality service to members of the public, police officers and police staff. You will act as the first point of contact for the 101 and 999 service, make risk assessments, and ensure the most appropriate help and support is established. You will direct officers to scenes of incidents and control incidents via radio and digital communications. Before training as a Contact Officer, you may work as a triage operator to familiarise yourself with the Contact Centre and enquiry types. You will be working to ensure an efficient and reactive response to requests for service from the public, within a 24-hour capability and a focus on getting it right first time.

You will move through a structured training and probation process with shifts and weekend working allowances as detailed below. Initial training up to the point of becoming proficient in 999 calls takes 5 to 7 months on average; dispatch training is scheduled after this time.

Salary, shifts and progression

Starting salary for Scale D is £29,760 (inclusive of 14% shift allowance) with a potential to earn up to £2,500 for weekend working (claimable after training and full shift pattern commencement). During the two-week dispatch course within your 12-month probation you will not be able to claim weekend working allowances if weekend work is not required. When proficient, you will move to the full 24/7 shift pattern and receive Scale D £31,327 (inclusive of 20% shift allowance) with potential to earn up to £2,500 for weekend working. Yearly increments apply, rising to a top of £34,383 per annum (inclusive of 20% shift allowance).

Earn up to £34,383 per annum with yearly increments to the top of the scale.

Note: The starting salary and allowances are subject to training outcomes and shift requirements.

About you

A unique job for a unique person, this role requires a friendly, patient, broad-minded individual with a positive attitude who can work as part of a close-knit, supportive team and make decisions under pressure.

As a Dispatch and Contact Officer, you will participate in the Dorset Contact Management operation and provide high-quality service to the public, officers and staff. You will help ensure a smooth customer journey and direct resources accordingly.

Training and progression

Prior to your Contact Officer training course you will work as a triage operator. Training duration depends on the next course schedule. You will be advised of the Contact Officer training once you have started. Salary remains as above during triage.

Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old by the start date. The role may require travel to the Bournemouth site for training.

Recruitment timeline

You may wish to note key stages on the journey to joining Dorset Police:

• Eligibility to apply via the e-recruitment portal.
• Situational Judgement Test (SJT) – you will have 7 days to complete once eligible.
• Virtual Assessment Centre – you will have 7 days to complete once you have passed the SJT.
• Final Interview and telephone assessment. You will receive an invite to book a face-to-face interview/assessment at Police Headquarters, Winfrith if you have passed the SJT and Virtual Assessment Centre.

Note: Candidates can register only once per campaign. If you have difficulties with assessments, contact: alliance-policestaffrecruitment@dorset.pnn.police.uk

Contact and application

For more information about the role, click the Apply button to view the vacancy on the Dorset Police website. For a discussion about the role after viewing full details, please contact: Email Address: tony.philbrick@dorset.pnn.police.uk

Note: When asked how you found out about this vacancy, please select LinkedIn.

Benefits

You will get access to:

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• Access to subsidised gym membership at police sites.
• Blue Light Card Scheme discounts (requires £5 one-off payment).
• Company sick pay and job-related equipment as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites.
• Group insurance scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Employee assistance programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities.
• Supportive and flexible training plan with regular check-ins.