Communications Officer (999 & 101)

Communications Officer (999 & 101)

Carshalton Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Handle emergency calls, assess priorities, and provide reassurance to callers.
  • Company: Join the Metropolitan Police, a vital part of London's safety and community support.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, shift allowances, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring common sense, attention to detail, and great communication skills.
  • Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially those with disabilities.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

"He just went crazy. He slammed the door and started screaming in my face, he went to the kitchen. He’s got a knife. He threw everything on the floor. I’ve run upstairs – I’m hiding in the bedroom – I dragged a cabinet in front of the door. But it won’t take him long to get through. Can you hear him?! Can you hear him?!"

This job is all in the detail. Did she say he slammed the door in her face or just slammed the door? He has a knife or had a knife? As you are listening, you are typing. As you are typing you are beginning to categorise the call-in order of priority. As you are analysing the information given to you, you are thinking of the next questions to ask. You are doing all of this whilst attempting to calm the caller down and reassure them that you will get help to them as soon as possible. You pass everything on to a colleague who will despatch the appropriate resources to assist. The situation is still happening, but your involvement is over.

And you move onto the next call.

We are always looking for great people to join our team

You will be customer-focussed and professional, have great attention to detail and a calm head under pressure. Above all, you’ll have the drive and determination to make a difference to the communities of London. With the volume of requests handled through our teams each day, the importance of these roles can never be underestimated.

This can be a challenging and sometimes intense job. Our teams are the first point of contact for some 13,000 emergency and non-emergency phone calls and 12,000 interactions via our digital platforms every day. Naturally this means we have a fast-paced and dynamic environment where no two days are the same.

We ask our teams to assess priority and severity of incidents, whilst always doing their best to reassure the caller that we’ll get them the appropriate support or assistance as quickly as possible.

Our Despatchers will work across the entire organisation, covering one of our 12 Borough Command Units and also the wider London area; as a Despatcher you will be communicating with officers on the ground and deploying units to calls received within our Command & Control centres.

Key Responsibilities

What does the average day look like? Your duties will include:

Handling emergency and non-emergency calls. We work with a framework, and you will triage calls in accordance with this, assessing each one’s priority and risks.

Prioritising a response to incidents

Working with colleagues across the boroughs of London to manage our response to requests for assistance.

Facilitating telephone interpreting for callers who speak little or no English, building confidence across our multi-cultural communities and for those visiting the capital.

Work within the Despatch and Pan London environments speaking to officers and staff on the radios and deploying units to calls.

Carry out Police National Computer or other intelligence enquiries on behalf of officers eg. vehicle and name checks

You will provide the customer-focused, professional, first point of contact our callers expect. You do not need previous experience; instead, we’re looking for common sense, attention to detail, good communication skills and a calm head under pressure.

Shift Patterns, MetCC Communications Officer 2024 – Content (3).pdf – 400KB Opens in a new window

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident employer, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.

Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about police fitness standards.

Salary: Circa £42,497. Your salary package will comprise of a starting base salary of £30,507, 20% shift allowance, 10% flexibility allowance, a location allowance of £1,841 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000. (Please note: During training, shift allowance will be 15%), All new staff will be required to work full time for the duration of their training and coaching; which is currently 16 weeks. After that time you will aligned to one of our core teams and may then submit a flexible working application for consideration as part of the annual flexible working application process.

You will be required to work a 24/7, 365 day a year variable shift pattern, including nights and public holidays. We actively support flexible working, questions regarding this can be addressed during the recruitment process.

The normal working hours are 36hrs per week, full time excluding breaks. Working a shift pattern does attract payment of a Shift Disturbance Allowance and Flexibility Allowance. We’ll talk to you about this more throughout the recruitment process.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Communications Officer (999 & 101) employer: Metropolitan Thames Valley

The Metropolitan Police Service is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that prioritizes community safety in London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and support for our Communications Officers, ensuring they develop the skills needed to excel in their roles. Our inclusive work culture values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful change while enjoying competitive benefits and flexible working options.
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Contact Detail:

Metropolitan Thames Valley Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Communications Officer (999 & 101)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with emergency response protocols and communication techniques. Understanding how to triage calls and prioritize incidents will show that you are prepared for the fast-paced environment of a Communications Officer.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice active listening skills. Being able to accurately capture details while calming a caller is crucial. You might want to role-play scenarios with friends or family to enhance your ability to stay composed under pressure.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the specific challenges faced by emergency services in London. This knowledge can help you demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in the community during interviews.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with current or former employees in similar roles. They can provide insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your application and potential interview.

We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer (999 & 101)

Excellent Communication Skills
Calm Under Pressure
Attention to Detail
Customer-Focused Approach
Ability to Triage Calls
Problem-Solving Skills
Multitasking Ability
Empathy and Reassurance Skills
Knowledge of Emergency Protocols
Team Collaboration
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments
Basic IT Skills for Data Entry
Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
Ability to Handle Sensitive Information

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Communications Officer. Pay attention to the details in the job description, especially regarding handling emergency calls and prioritizing incidents.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasize skills that are crucial for this role, such as attention to detail, calmness under pressure, and effective communication. Provide examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these abilities.

Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the job. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your application stands out and shows that you are a good fit for the position.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you want to work as a Communications Officer. Discuss your passion for helping communities and how your background aligns with the values of the organization.

How to prepare for a job interview at Metropolitan Thames Valley

✨Show Your Attention to Detail

In this role, every detail matters. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed situations where attention to detail was crucial. Use specific examples from your past experiences.

✨Demonstrate Calmness Under Pressure

The job can be intense, so it's important to convey your ability to stay calm in stressful situations. Share a story where you had to manage a high-pressure scenario effectively.

✨Highlight Your Communication Skills

As a Communications Officer, you'll need excellent communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and be ready to explain how you would reassure callers in distress.

✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities

Familiarize yourself with the key responsibilities of the position. Be ready to discuss how you would handle emergency and non-emergency calls, and your approach to prioritizing incidents based on severity.

Communications Officer (999 & 101)
Metropolitan Thames Valley Apply now
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