At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our OCC Control Room as a Communications Officer, handling diverse emergency calls daily.
- Company: Warwickshire Police serves nearly 600,000 people, responding to over 90,000 emergency calls each year.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, a local government pension, gym access, and 24 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and eager to help those in need with empathy and professionalism.
- Other info: Applications are reviewed weekly; successful candidates will start in September 2025 or 2026.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 39000 £ per year.
Job Description
We are actively recruiting for future posts in 2025/2026. Please note if you are successful through the process, you are will be heading towards a start date of September 2025 or one of our 2026 intakes. Serving an estimated population of nearly 600,000 people, Warwickshire Police receives over 90,000 emergency calls per year, in addition to many more non-emergency calls for service.Working as part of our OCC Control Room as a Communications Officer is a varied and diverse role, with no two calls received being the same. One minute you could be taking the details of a stolen vehicle, the next you may be sending officers to a report of an armed robbery.Not all calls need an officer. There are many times when you are the one to help resolve the call, giving the appropriate advice, without the need to dispatch an officer, so, if you are calm under pressure, able to gather information quickly, and offer a voice of comfort in the difficult moments of people’s lives, then Warwickshire Needs You.The control room operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, it’s a pressured environment, but it is also a hugely rewarding place to work.
Knowing you have helped someone at one of the worst times in their life is incredibly satisfying.We want people who are calm under pressure, have attention to detail, be able to multitask and the determination to deal with those in need with empathy and professionalism and are keen to progress with an expectancy of reaching a controller position which will involve direct communication with officers.Join us in helping protect our communities from harm – we are recruiting for a pool of people for intakes over the next six to twelve months. The department operates full time and flexible part time patterns who are able to work the core shift pattern. Applications will be shortlisted on a weekly basis. Please note if you are successful through the process, this advert you are applying for will be heading towards a start date September 2025 or 2026.There is no closing date for this post as applications will be reviewed regularly and candidates updated accordingly. The planned assessment centre dates for now are: 30th July20th August25th SeptemberPlease ensure you are free for the earliest one should your application be successful at shortlisting!—————————————————————————————————————————————————-If you are full time your starting salary will be £34,982 (£26,106 basic £8,876 allowances) grade C progressing to grade D.37 hours per week, over 8 weeks 12 hour shifts (days and nights) Rotating shifts 4 shifts on! 2 days 2 nights 4 shift off! OCC Communications Officer Application Timeline Initial ApplicationYou will complete an application form and answer questions to demonstrate how your experiences and examples align with the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
Your responses will be scored based on the relevance to the roles requirements.Paper SiftIndependent reviewers will evaluate your application against recruitment criteria, scoring each question from 1-4Assessment CentreHeld at Warwickshire Police OCC in Warwick Technology Park. The session takes about 2 hours and includes:Spelling TestStatement Test (Listening)Mapping ExerciseTyping TestProblem Solving ExerciseExample Calls ExerciseInterviewConducted via Microsoft Teams and will last about an hour. You will be asked 6 questions related to the essential criteria for the role, with a mix of example based and scenario based questions.
In preparation for this, think about your transferable skills, research Warwickshire Police, and focus on the specific services offered in the OCCVettingBefore joining, a vetting process is conducted that includes gathering details of your family and any known criminal associations. You must inform those listed as they will be included in these background checks.Final Offer Of RoleAfter successfully completing all previous stages, you will receive a formal job offer.TrainingYou will undergo 6 weeks of classroom training, Mon-Fri, this will give you the grounding, learning all aspects of the role as well as systems usage, vulnerability, risk, law, and many other elements critical to the role. Please note that no annual leave can be taken during this six week training period.TutoringFollowing classroom training, you will be assigned a tutor to guide you as you start taking live calls and transition into the full role of OCC Communications Officer.Answer the call. Assess the risk.
One call can change everything. What can we offer you?As a valued member of our organisation, you’ll benefit from the below and more!Local Government Pension SchemeUnison MembershipAccess to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Occupational Health ServicesFree ParkingOn-site Gym FacilitiesFully equipped kitchen and rest break areasStarting Annual Leave balance of 24 days rising to 29 after five years serviceAdditional payments for bank holiday workingAccess to a wide range of internal support networksAccess to Coaching & Mentoring SchemesHealth & Wellbeing SupportCareer progression pathwayEligibility for Blue Light discounts Warwickshire Police Sports and Social Club – open to all employees all members have access to Police Perkz discount platformSports Club Lottery
OCC Communications Officer - Full Time employer: Warwickshire Police
Contact Detail:
Warwickshire Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land OCC Communications Officer - Full Time
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the types of calls that Warwickshire Police typically handle. Understanding the common scenarios and how to respond can give you an edge during the assessment centre exercises.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your multitasking skills! Since the role requires handling multiple tasks simultaneously, try simulating a busy environment at home where you can practice taking notes while listening to information or responding to questions.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Warwickshire Police's values and community initiatives. Being able to discuss these in your interview will show your genuine interest in the organisation and its mission, which can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for scenario-based questions by thinking about how you would handle various emergency situations. Practising your responses with a friend or family member can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace OCC Communications Officer - Full Time
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an OCC Communications Officer. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with the requirements.
Tailor Your Application: When filling out the application form, tailor your responses to highlight your relevant experiences. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to remain calm under pressure, multitask, and provide empathetic support.
Prepare for Assessment Centre: Be ready for the assessment centre by practising the types of tests mentioned in the job description, such as spelling, typing, and problem-solving exercises. Familiarise yourself with common scenarios you might encounter in the role.
Research Warwickshire Police: Do some research on Warwickshire Police and their services. Understanding their values and operations will help you answer interview questions more effectively and show your genuine interest in the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Warwickshire Police
✨Research Warwickshire Police
Before your interview, take some time to research Warwickshire Police and their services. Understanding their mission, values, and the specific role of the OCC Communications Officer will help you answer questions more effectively and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect a mix of example-based and scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about situations where you've had to remain calm under pressure, multitask, or show empathy. Prepare specific examples that highlight your transferable skills relevant to the role.
✨Practice Your Typing and Listening Skills
Since the role involves taking calls and typing information quickly, practice your typing speed and accuracy. Additionally, work on your active listening skills, as you'll need to gather information efficiently while providing comfort to callers.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Abilities
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving. Provide examples of how you've successfully resolved issues in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and act decisively when needed.