Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What vacancies do you currently have?
A. The current list of vacancies is available on our website. It is usually updated weekly.
Q. Where are your police staff roles advertised?
A. Our police staff roles are advertised on our force website and with Jobcentre Plus. Some adverts do appear in other media, such as newspapers and online recruiting sites.
Q. How do I apply?
A. You need to select which vacancy you would like to apply for. You will then need to download, or e-mail recruiting.policestaff@hampshire.pnn.police.uk to have them sent to you, all of the following documents:
- Application form
- Letter for applicants
- Role profile
- Guidance for completing the application form
- Equal Opportunities statement
Q. How do I make a successful application?
A. Examine the job pack. All our role profiles consist of a Part 1 (job description) and a Part 2 (person specification). Read all of this carefully before completing your application.
- Set out your supporting evidence using the category headings in the same order as they appear in Part 2 of the role profile (i.e. Education / Qualifications required and Experience required, etc)
- Please then use the key recruitment competency headings as sub headings (i.e. Respect for race & diversity, Work as part of a team, etc)
- You must provide evidence with relevant examples to support each individual competency requirement within each category as far as possible
For further information please read the document: Guidance for completing the application form (.pdf, 26KB)
Q. Where do I send my completed application form to?
A. You will need to post it back to:
Police Staff Recruiting
Hampshire Constabulary
Support & Training HQ
Hamble Lane
Hamble
Southampton
Hampshire
SO31 4TS
Alternatively, e-mail it to recruiting.policestaff@hampshire.pnn.police.uk. Occasionally it may be necessary for you to send your application to a different address, details of this will be give on the letter for applicants.
Q. What salary will I start on?
A. The salary depends on the actual role applied for. You are likely to start at the lowest point within the salary range for the role. Full salary details will be given on the specific advert or role profile.
Where applicable, annual increments within the salary scale for the post are paid on 1st April each year until the top of the scale is attained. Salaries are also subject to annual review in September each year.
Q. What qualifications or experience do I need?
A. The qualifications and experience you will need depends on the actual role applied for. Full details of the essential criteria will be given on the specific role profile.
Q. Shall I send in my CV?
A. No. We will not be able to gain enough information from your CV and therefore you will not be invited to attend an interview. You need to complete an application form.
Q. Can I apply for more than one position?
A. Yes. You will need to complete a separate application form for each post you apply for.
Q. Can I complete just one general application form for each vacancy I am interested in?
A. No. Each application form must be role specific.
Q. How long do I have to have lived in the UK for before I can apply?
A. All applicants, regardless of nationality, must have lived in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to submitting an application. In addition, those who are not UK or EC citizens must also have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The exceptions to this rule are those serving in the UK Armed Forces, members of the Foreign and Commonwealth office diplomatic community, and those who have taken a career break/gap year to travel/work abroad for up to 12 months. However, these applicants must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years at some point in their lives.
Applicants who have never lived in the UK, regardless of their status as EC or Commonwealth citizens, are ineligible. Applicants who have resided outside the UK for 12 calendar months or longer within the last 3 years are ineligible until such time as they satisfy the residency criteria.
For further information about immigration, please contact:
The Home Office
Immigration & Nationality Department
Lunar House
Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY
Telephone: 0208 686 0688
Q. I’ve had a lot of sickness, will this be a problem?
A. As a publicly funded organisation it is important that our staff attend work regularly so, you should be aware that a record of poor attendance may preclude you from progressing further in the selection process for this post.
If you have had either 10 working days or 4 periods of absence due to sickness in any 12 month period in the last 3 years you may wish to provide a letter explaining any mitigating circumstances regarding your absence for the shortlisting panel to consider (such as maternity or disability related absence). This letter may be from yourself or your employer / line manager, and it should be enclosed with your application form.
If you have asked your line manager there is no need for them to comment otherwise on your suitability for the post as references will be requested as a matter of course for successful candidates.
Q. What happens if I have any dates when I won’t be able to attend an interview?
A. If you have any dates to avoid for interview please detail these in a covering letter or with your supporting evidence. (Please note we cannot guarantee you will be offered an alternate interview date).
Q. I want to work in forensics or become a CSI, how do I do this?
A. Hampshire Constabulary employ some staff in forensic support roles, including, fingerprint examination, imaging and Scenes of Crime. Before becoming a Crime Scene Investigator, you must first become a Volume Crime Scene Investigator and undertake the relevant training.
Further information on working in Scenes of Crime is available on the Example Role Profiles page. We are unable to provide work experience placements in this field of work. Please keep an eye on our website for any vacancies that might arise.
Q. How long before I hear back after I’ve sent my application in?
A. If you do not hear from us within 8 weeks of the closing date, then you should assume that you were not successful at the shortlisting stage. Because of the amount of applications we receive it is not possible to write to applicants that have not been invited to attend an interview.
Q. What kind of process will I go through?
A. The information given on your application form, will be assessed and scored against the essential qualifications/experience and recruitment competencies from the role profile.
If you score highly enough you will be invited to attend an interview. You must meet all of the essential criteria. You will be measured against the essential competencies from the role profile during interview. We will generally ask you example based questions, during a structured interview.
Q. Will there be any selection tests?
A. Relevant selection tests may be used as part of the selection process, according to the nature of the post. If you are required to take a test this will be explained in your letter inviting you to interview.
Q. What are your age limits?
A. You have to be at least 16 years of age, but there is no upper age limit. (Some jobs may require different age limits, e.g. jobs requiring a valid driving licence).
Q. Are you signed up to the Two Ticks standard?
A. Yes. If you have declared a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job then you will be guaranteed an interview.
Q. Will you ask for references?
A. Yes. We will ask for your nominated referees on the application form. However we will only take these up if you are successful at interview. One of your references must be from your current employer (or most recent employer if unemployed).
We will seek information regarding your attendance, work record, conduct and sickness.
Q. Will you do security and financial checks?
A. Yes. We will conduct security checks on yourself and the people you live with, before you are offered a post. Criminal convictions will not automatically stop you from joining and cases will be considered individually on their own merits. We will also conduct a financial check on you.
Q. Will I have to undergo a medical?
A. Applicants invited to interview will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and may be required to have a full examination by the Constabulary’s Medical Officer before an offer of employment is made.
Q. What hours will I be working?
A. The normal working week for full time staff is 37 hours - Monday to Friday, but exact days and times will be individual to each post.
Part-time hours will be specified by the department the post originated with.
Some posts have a requirement to work a shift pattern which can cover up to a 24-hour, 7-day rotating shift system, for which you would be paid a shift allowance.
Q. Do you have flexible working arrangements?
A. Yes. The constabulary endeavours, where possible and practicable, to provide a range of flexible working arrangements, e.g. flexi-time, job share, part-time working and career breaks.
Depending on the operational requirements of the job, the provisions of the Constabulary’s flexitime system may apply, subject to agreement with the local manager. This system allows for additional monthly hours worked (up to a specified limit) to be taken as extra leave by way of time in lieu.
Q. When will I get paid?
A. All police staff are paid on the 15th of each month, direct into a bank or building society account.
Q. Will I receive any training?
A. All members of staff will initially receive on-site training, normally alongside a supervisor or experienced staff member.
During the first six months of employment, attendance on an initial induction course is required. For certain specialist areas of work, additional training is mandatory which may involve attendance on external courses within or outside of Hampshire. In addition, where work related, there are opportunities to apply for sponsorship to attain nationally recognised qualifications. These may assist in subsequent career progression.
Q. Is there a pension scheme?
A. Yes. Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme is automatic, unless you choose to opt out. Employee contributions are dependent on your salary. The minimum contribution is 5.5% of salary and the maximum you will pay is 7.5%.
Q. I previously worked for another UK police force/authority, will I get continuous service?
A. As long as you haven’t had a break in service for more than 7 days, continuous service will apply in all cases except the Ministry of Defence, British Transport Police, the Royal Parks Police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Police.
This will be used to calculate your entitlement to annual leave, sick pay, maternity provisions, notice period and redundancy payment.
Q. Is there a probationary period?
A. Yes. All appointments are subject to a probationary period. This is either 6 or 12 months depending on the role. During this period your performance will be assessed under the probationary appraisal system. Following the probationary period, appraisals are carried out on an annual basis.
Q. What annual leave will I get?
A. The minimum entitlement is 22 days (pro rata for part time posts), rising to 27 days after 5 years service. Leave entitlement increases according to your salary grade. The annual leave period will commence on the anniversary of your date of joining.
Part-time staff are eligible for annual leave on a proportionate basis, based on the number of hours they work.
Q. What happens if I have particular religious or cultural needs?
A. Hampshire Constabulary is committed to the aim of creating a multi-cultural police service, which reflects the community it serves. The force recognises that with a diverse workforce there are a variety of cultural and religious needs to be accommodated, in order to successfully recruit and retain staff from varied backgrounds.
The force accepts that some religions and cultures have a requirement for their members to pray or meditate on a regular basis. Where no serious disruption is caused, staff will be allowed time within the working day to practice their faith or be allowed to leave their place of work to attend a religious event. Hampshire Constabulary will identify a quiet and private place which can be used for the purpose of prayer or meditation. These times will not be treated as duty time.
You may choose to re-allocate the three bank holidays related to the Christian calendar to other religious festivals. Several faiths advocate fasting, where food and water may be strictly forbidden for several hours. Where appropriate possible shift changes will be made to allow working hours and breaks to coincide with when the fast is broken.
Q. What happened if I have dyslexia or a specific learning disability?
A. Please tell us on your application form if you have any specific learning difficulties we should take account of during the selection process or once you are working with us.
Hampshire Constabulary ensures disabled people can attain equal access to employment. This could be achieved by making reasonable adjustments, for example, an applicant who is disabled because they have dyslexia applies for a job which involves writing letters. The employer gives all applicants a test of their letter-writing ability. The applicant can generally write letters very well but finds it difficult to do so in stressful situations and within short deadlines. They are given longer to take the test. This adjustment is likely to be a reasonable one to make.
Q. Is there a Sports and Social Club I can join?
A. Yes. These clubs provide some local sporting activities such as football, golf, sailing (depending on the activities of the members) as well as several social events. As well as sporting activities the club offers discounts and special offers on holiday accommodation, hotels, tourists’ attractions, and numerous theatre trips throughout the Force area and the Home Counties.
We also have a monthly lottery with prize money of £2,000 a month, which is easy to subscribe to.
For keen sports people we are also part of the Police Sport UK which comprises the affiliated Sports Clubs of all the UK Forces. Here there are opportunities to compete at local, regional, National and International level both at home and abroad. Within Police Sport UK there are 40 separate sporting sections, with over 50 different sporting disciplines.
Other Conditions of Service
Relocation Expenses
At the discretion of the Recruitment Manager, staff graded at SO1 or above (and who are permanent or temporary, with an expected duration of than 2 years) who have to move home in order to take up their new position, may be eligible to claim relocation expenses up to a maximum of £8,000.
Their new home must be within a 15 mile radius of their new workbase.
Car Leasing
A subsided car leasing scheme is available for staff in posts graded PO1 and above and for staff in posts graded SO1-2 if they are deemed to be ‘essential’ car users (i.e. required to have a car in order to carry out their job).
Expenses
Expenses incurred whilst carrying out authorised official business will be reimbursed at the appropriate rate (i.e. mileage, public transport, subsistence).
Professional Fees
The constabulary will reimburse professional membership fees where it agreed that such membership is required of the post.
Car Parking
Free car parking is available at the majority of constabulary sites, although can be limited at some locations. Where car parking is not available or when site car parks are full, it is the employee’s responsibility to pay any charges which may be applicable for alternative car parks.
Health & Safety
All staff should be aware of the constabulary’s Health and Safety Policy, and must take all reasonable, practicable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and colleagues.
Confidentiality
All employees are required to abide by the requirements of the Official Secrets Act 1989 and must at all times comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Smoking & Alcohol Policy
A ‘no alcohol’ policy operates at all constabulary locations. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted during duty periods, including lunch breaks. Hampshire Constabulary also operates a no smoking policy at work. There are some areas outside for those who wish to smoke.
Trade Union
Unison is the constabulary’s recognised trade union and membership is open to all who wish to join, with a facility for deductions for membership fees to be made directly from salary.
This information is provided for guidance only and may be subject to change at any time.
