West Mercia Police on hunt for new inspectors from industry

The Direct Entry programme is looking at people with experience of working at middle-management level to join the force at the senior rank of inspector.

In return, inspectors receive a starting salary of £50,160, paid from day one of the training course.

Working with the College of Policing, the force will recruit applicants based on their previous management skills in areas such as budgets, teams, resources, systems and cultural change, while also demonstrating their diversity of thought, life perspective and experience throughout the rigorous selection and assessment process.

The 24-month programme is a fast paced course combining classroom-based and on-the-job training to equip recruits with the policing skills to complement their personal management experience and attributes.

The roles require dedicated, talented, flexible and proven leaders from outside policing, and does not require any previous policing experience.

Rotational periods are spent in the roles of PC, sergeant and inspector during the training.

Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans said: "If you are interested in using your industry transferable management skills for the greater good in society, you should consider applying to the Direct Entry programme with West Mercia Police.

Demands

"The complex, ever-changing nature of modern day policing means that now, more than ever, we need talented individuals to lead from the front – people who have experience in making difficult decisions and managing competing demands. With the Direct Entry programme, you will deliver effective and accountable policing that positively impacts on our communities.

"The programme works alongside our police leadership development programmes to deliver the future cadre of senior police officers we need to deliver against the many challenges our policing area presents."

Inspector Lee Page said: "I originally trained as a journalist, and worked as a reporter then a news editor in local radio. I spent the following eight years in media relations and PR. At the same time, I was volunteering as a special constable. My interest in policing grew over time and I applied for the Direct Entry programme with West Mercia Police because I had developed a range of skills in my previous career, as well as working my way up to a management role, which I felt would be transferable to the police at inspector level.

"My former career involved key skills such as communication, diplomacy and negotiation as well as organisation, creativity and an ability to keep calm under pressure. These are some of the attributes I feel have helped me in my policing role over the last two years.

"I feel that having come from an external background my perspectives on some aspects of our work are different to others who have been in the police service for a longer period of time. I have found that these different views can often complement each other and help my colleagues and me to make the best decisions in the interests of our staff and the wider general public. The role provides a real opportunity to have a meaningful impact on those around you and make a positive difference to people's lives."

Applications for the Direct Entry programme are currently open and close on February 18.

To apply, go to westmercia.police.uk/directentry