PC Formal Offer and Training
| How is the course split between practical and theory? | Throughout your three-year probationary period you will receive practical on-the-job learning alongside academic theory and knowledge while earning a wage. |
| Will any current holiday bookings be honoured? | This will depend on the duration and date of your holiday. The training is provided in blocks and if you miss a vital part of the training due to annual leave, you may not be able to progress onto the intake. |
| Can I choose where I am posted? | In agreeing to join Cheshire Constabulary, you are agreeing to our posting principles, which means you could be posted anywhere across the county of Cheshire. Our workforce planning team considers a range of information when deciding on your posting and you will be able to express your preferences. |
| Can I move into a specialist area such as Firearms or the Dog Unit within my probationary period? | Whilst you are in your probationary period, for the initial two or three years you will be working as a response officer. Once you have passed your probation, you will be able to apply for specialist opportunities within the Constabulary. |
| What hours will I work? | Police officers work a 40 hour week. During Protected Learning Time (University attendance), you are required to attend the University between 9am and 5pm (Monday-Friday). Depending on where you are posted, the shift patterns may vary. A shift pattern will consist of early shifts, late shifts, night shifts, bank holidays and weekend shifts. Operational demands may require your rostered shift/rest days to be cancelled and re-scheduled at short notice. |
| How long is the probationary period? | The probationary period for those on the DHEP route is two years and for the PCDA route it is three years. |
| Can I work part-time? | The initial probationary period is full-time. Once your probation has been confirmed a request for flexible working can be made. |
| Can I have a second job whilst working as a Police Officer? | Business interests - please note when applying to become a police officer there are certain types of additional employment you cannot undertake once appointed (for example work within a Licenced Premises behind the Bar), you also have to declare any secondary businesses that you have – once you are at the conditional offer stage of the police officer recruitment process then please email [email protected] if you have any queries regarding this. |
| What do I need to wear on my first day? | We advise that you wear something smart for your first day such as a white collared t-shirt and black trousers. You should receive your uniform within the first few days of starting with the Constabulary. You will need to wear suitable footwear (ideally black) for the training as well. |
| How is the work split between Policing and University? | Typically you will tend to have one day a week at the University of Chester, Warrington campus and spend the remaining days of your week working in either Response or the AIT (Area Investigation Team). Whilst you will have protected time for University studies, there will also be an element on independent learning as with every degree level qualification. |
| Where is the University Campus? | The University Of Chester's institute of policing is based on the Warrington Campus. Address is Crab Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA2 0DB. |
| When will I receive adjoining instructions? | Once you are confirmed onto one of our intakes, you will contacted by the appropriate training Sergeant who will provide all the detail of what to expect prior to your first day and ask you to complete any paperwork prior to registering with the University. |
| Will I be assigned to AIT or Response? | Once a student officer completes their initial training they will be posted to Response for their in-company period with a tutor. They will be able to obtain training to enable them to become independent. Once signed off as independent they will transfer to the AIT where they will remain for much of their probationary period as this allows us to better manage their abstractions. Officers will be moved between AIT and Response dependent on demand and development needs. |
| I have received my formal offer - what do I do now? | Once candidates have received their formal offer of employment, it is important that you read your contract and offer letter to make sure you agree with the terms and conditions within and then sign each document. Please also complete addition attached documents and return back to the Talent Acquisition Team via the candidate portal. |
| I am unable to attach my formal offer documents? | If you are having difficulty in returning your documents via the candidate portal, then please contact [email protected] and they will either look to resolve the issue on your portal or suggest alternative methods in sending the forms. |
| I have changed my mind about joining Cheshire Constabulary. | If at any point in the process you decide you no longer wish to continue in Cheshire Constabulary's recruitment process then please update the Talent Acquisition as soon as you can. This will avoid you being contacted regarding your application and will avoid your application being progressed ahead of someone else. |