Wiltshire Police set to recruit officers for the first time since 2010 (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire Police set to recruit officers for the first time since 2010

11:30am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Laura Shack

WILTSHIRE Police will be recruiting police officers over the coming weeks - it is the first time any south west force has recruited since 2010.

The news comes days after Home Secretary Theresa May backed a package of reform of police pay conditions which will seen new recruits earn a minimum of £19,000 a year, which is a cut of £4,000.

No police force across the south west has been in a position to open recruitment since the Government Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.

Successful candidates are expected to start work for Wiltshire Police in late 2013 and early 2014.

A Wiltshire Police statement said:

The application process is very robust and lengthy, taking around 46 weeks from the initial application stage to the date employment will commence with Wiltshire Police.

Applications are welcomed from both current Wiltshire Police staff and from members of the public and, in line with our commitment to the principles and practice of equality, applications are particularly encouraged from minority ethnic communities, as they are presently under-represented within Wiltshire Police.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 57 and have a minimum of 5 GCSEs grades A*- C or equivalent, including Maths and English.

All applicants must reside within Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall, Thames Valley, Dorset, Hampshire or South Wales in order to apply. This will be monitored via proof of address at the application stage.

The initial salary will be £19,000 per year as specified in the Winsor recommendations.

In addition, all applicants must:

* Be physically fit and in good health - you will be required to pass a medical examination and fitness test * Have good unaided vision and must not suffer from any morbid eye conditions. Severe colour vision deficiencies, would not pass the eyesight test.

* Be a British Citizen or a member of the European Community, European Economic Area, Commonwealth Citizen or be a foreign national who is resident in the UK, free of restrictions and with unrestricted leave to remain

* Have lived in the UK for three years prior to the date the application is made

* Hold a full UK driving licence by the date of appointment (start date)

* Not have any outstanding county court judgements against them or have been registered bankrupt without the debts having been discharged All applications should also be aware that:

* There is no maximum or minimum height restriction

* All applicants will have samples of their DNA and their fingerprints taken as part of the vetting process and a search against any outstanding crimes will be made before an appointment is made

* All police officer candidates will be subject to alcohol and drugs misuse testing before an appointment is made

* If you are or ever have been a member of the BNP or similar organisations (Combat 18, National Front etc.) your application will be rejected

* Convictions or cautions will not necessarily preclude you from appointment. It will depend on their nature and the circumstances of the offence. Failure to disclose convictions or cautions will, however, result in your application being terminated

* Tattoos will not necessarily preclude you from appointment. However there are limitations on the design and location of the tattoo. This will be assessed in the application process.

Applications must be made via an online pre-assessment tool which will go live on the day recruitment opens. Wiltshire Police will release this date and time soon. Applications will be monitored once the pre-assessment tool goes live and will be closed once required levels of interest are numbers have been met.

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said: “I am delighted that we are in a position to open our recruitment for police officers. Although the service is facing many challenges, policing remains an excellent career choice.

“It offers an exceptionally diverse career in public service, offering individuals the chance to make a real difference to local communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson said: “I am very pleased that the Constabulary is starting the process to recruit new police officers. I have said that having frontline officers out on the beat within our local communities is very important to me and recruiting new officers will ensure that we continue to do just that.

“Being a police officer can be a very challenging and rewarding job to do with a range of development opportunities. Our Police should reflect our communities and I would particularly encourage people from minority ethnic communities to consider applying for this very interesting career opportunity in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

For more information please call the dedicated HR Recruitment phone line on 01380 734 132 or email policerecruit@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk.

Please do not call 101 for information about the recruitment process.