About the job

The Force Control Centre (FCC) is at the front line of policing, providing that vital first point of contact between the public of Cheshire and operational police officers.

By joining our FCC as a communication operator, you will have an operational role aiding front line officers and protecting the public. We are here 24/7 for 365 days per year for our communities, with the base being located at our Headquarters in Winsford.

The team deal with both emergency and non-emergency calls and take approximately 500,000 calls per year. We manage incidents, deploy police officers and record crime. We also respond to emails and update the force social media feeds.

Communications operators are crucial to the success of Cheshire Constabulary. They consistently provide a first class service to the people of Cheshire. In this role, you will be handling both 999 emergency and 101 non-emergency calls that are as diverse as the communities we serve.

You will start in the FCC as a 101 call taker, responding to calls for help from the public. With further training you will then progress into other areas of the department and respond to 999 calls.

No matter what type of call comes in, your compassion, patience and professionalism must remain. That means thinking on your feet whilst providing reassurance and obtaining the relevant information to enable the correct deployment of appropriate police responses as necessary.

Our communication operators will be involved in a wide range of different operations and events, for example traffic specific operations or ones targeting cross border crime, and events such as music festivals.

There will be opportunities to move on to become an FCC coach and support new members of staff who come into the department. There is also potential to become an FCC supervisor and manage a block of staff, providing advice, managing the room in the Call Management Bureau and providing welfare support, along with other internal opportunities.

There are a variety of shift patterns available on a full time and part time basis with a five week rolling pattern.