About the role

Communications Officers are the first point of contact for members of the public requesting police support.

They answer emergency 999 calls and high priority calls as efficiently as possible, obtaining and recording accurate information, assessing the level of police response required and initiating the appropriate action as quickly as possible.

Where no police action is required, they provide advice and guidance to the caller. In all cases, callers are dealt with in a calm, courteous and professional manner, and if necessary, firmly to obtain essential information.

The size and importance of this role cannot be underestimated, especially when you consider the Metropolitan Police Service receives about 2.5 million calls a year – in excess of 200,000 calls a month.

Pay & allowances

You will start on a basic salary of £19,345. However, you will almost certainly be eligible for additional allowances that will increase your pay. For instance, you may receive additional shift allowances up to a maximum of £3,869, a location allowance of £1,744 plus a flexibility payment of £1,934.

Location

Vacancies are at Central Communications Command centre in Hendon.

Hours of work

To ensure that we continue to provide a service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all Communications Officers are required to work shifts, including weekends and nights. Shifts can vary from 8 to 12 hours in length. Please refer to the Information Pack to see the shift patterns worked at Central Communications Command. You may be placed on either shift pattern, depending on the needs of the business at the time you are posted.

Training

All Communication Officers receive just over six weeks of full-time training at the Hendon centre. This is followed by just over 6 weeks of one-to-one coaching, which may be at Lambeth, Bow or Hendon. You must pass this training to continue in your role.