Expression of Interest Control & Contact Handler

Please be advised this is NOT an application for the role. When the going gets tough, control & contact handlers are there to help. You’ll be the first point of contact with the police. You’ll be a calm, reassuring voice in people’s hour of need. Asking the right questions, listening for vital details and recording information; all while monitoring two screens.

Submit your expression of interest today and we will contact you when recruitment opens.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

Providing excellent customer service to members of the public and Sussex Police colleagues is crucial in this role. On completion of training you will manage both emergency and non-emergency situations; the role requires you to be able to prioritise and juggle competing demands. Working in a fast-paced 24/7 environment, you must be able to work under pressure, communicate clearly at all times and make critical decisions based on threat, harm and risk.

The role is based at our Headquarters on the outskirts of Lewes but there may be a requirement to relocate to fall back sites in other areas of the county. In return we offer a salary of £30,897 per annum, plus an unsocial shift allowance in the region of £10,486 per year once you have completed your initial training for a full time shift worker (24/7 shift pattern only). We also provide excellent ongoing training, continuous development and progression opportunities.

Training Programme

Successful candidates will join an 11-week training course; consisting of five weeks' training and six weeks' tutoring where we will support and coach you to become competent in the role. The training course is full-time, Monday to Friday, working 8:00 to 16:00. Upon completing the training you will work across both 101 and 999 within our contact centre based at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes.

Starting your career in our contact centre will provide you with a wide range of skills and experiences which will enable you to fulfil both elements of the role, within contact and control. You could then apply to progress into a supervisory role or for a number of different roles across the organisation. You could become a Police Officer or a PCSO, start an investigative career or work in one of our support departments such as corporate communications or professional development. The possibilities are endless.

The role of Control & Contact Handler is tenured for 24 months, meaning that you will not be able to start a new position within Force during this time. You may however be able to apply for roles with longer recruitment time-frames e.g. Police Constable.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the role you will need to meet our eligibility criteria:

• You must be aged 18 or over on the day you submit your application – no upper age limit.
• You must have lived in the UK for three continuous years immediately prior to application.
• Not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group.
• Not have served a prison sentence.
• Be able to commit to one of the available shift patterns.

Why Work With Us?

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits:

• Career progression
• Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Discounts for everyday spend
• On-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• Generous and supportive parental leave
• Financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• Discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Following submission of your expression of interest you will receive a confirmation email. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.