Contact Officer in Bradford

As an Initial Contact Officer for West Yorkshire Police, you will be the first point of contact for members of the public calling 999 or 101 or using our webchat service. You will calm the callers, assess risk, prioritise incidents, and support a wide range of scenarios from serious assault to parking concerns.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for members of the public via emergency and non‑emergency channels.
• Handle a wide range of calls, from serious and high‑risk incidents to non‑urgent matters such as parking or anti‑social behaviour.
• Calmly support victims and vulnerable callers, providing reassurance, guidance and clear advice.
• Ask the right questions to accurately assess risk, gather essential information and prioritise incidents.
• Record, assess and cross‑reference information using multiple IT systems to ensure accurate and timely policing responses.
• Make effective decisions under pressure in a fast‑paced and challenging operational environment.
• Maintain a professional, empathetic and composed manner, particularly when dealing with distressed or emotional callers.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and through written incident logs.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and operational teams to support an effective policing response.

Shift Pattern

Full time – 9 and 10‑hour shifts, 6 shifts working then 4 days off: 2 early, 2 late, 2 night. Job share – 2 early, 1 late, 10 days off, 1 late, 2 night.

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years of age with pass grades in both Maths and English at Level 2/GCSEs (grades 9‑4 or A‑C).
• Basic knowledge of and able to use computer packages such as Microsoft Office.
• Typing speed of minimum 28 words per minute.
• Good command of English, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast‑paced environment.
• Willingness to adapt to structured learning environments and operational shift patterns.

Training

All candidates will complete an Apprenticeship Training Programme, including 16 weeks of classroom‑based learning followed by 8 weeks in a development hub, totaling 24 weeks of intensive training. Successful completion is required before moving into a fully operational role.

Salary

Base salary ranges from £27,204.00 to £29,859.00 per annum, with a 20% shift allowance and a 13.45% weekend allowance, equating to a total of £36,303.74 to £39,846.83 per annum respectively.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance – 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays).
• Defined Benefit CARE pension scheme.
• Options for Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity, employee assistance service and wellbeing programmes.
• Cycle to work scheme, savings and discount programmes, and Blue Light Card.
• Ongoing mentoring and coaching, opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups and sports clubs.
• Earn and Learn programme granting a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We encourage applications from female officers, all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last three years; where this applies, applicants may be refused because it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.