Wiltshire Police has become the first force in the south west to announce it will be recruiting officers this year.
It is the first time a force in the region will be actively seeking new officers since the Government brought in its Comprehensive Spending Review in 2010. New recruits could start work late this year and early 2014.
The application opened from 4pm Wednesday 23rd January, but closed just a couple of hours later with the Force issuing this statement:
'Wiltshire Police recruitment for police officers is now closed further to an exceptionally high level of interest with over 283,820 hits on the Force website alone. We thank all those who took an interest in applying.'
Wiltshire Police 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.”
Candidates are warned that the process will take around 46 weeks from the time applications are submitted. People from ethnic minorities are also being encourage to apply, as they are currently under-represented in the force.
The initial salary will be £19,000 per year.
In addition, the force says anyone applying 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.
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