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Protect every journey

Detective Constable Accelerated Scheme

Starting salary: £31,164 per annum, rising year-on-year to a maximum of £48,231 per annum after 5 years.


For those working in Inner London you will receive in addition to the salary: £7,361 (£4,338 London Allowance plus £3,023 London Weighting Allowance) from day 1 of training.

22 days holiday

 

About the role

Frontline policing with us gives you opportunities like no other. Here, you’ll deal with the same cases as a Police Officer in any other Force but within a unique environment, with its own challenges.

An Detective Constable (DC) utilises a range of appropriate investigative approaches to gather material, placing the victim at the centre of all actions and decisions, to safely and effectively investigate serious and complex crimes with a view to achieving an appropriate outcome for that investigation.

Here with us, no two days will ever be the same. We love being able to provide the best service possible to the public and being able to adapt to lots of different scenarios and environments. Most people don’t know, but a lot of our officer time is spent dealing with vulnerability issues and supporting these, which is something we are really passionate about.

Wherever your shift takes you, you’ll be involved in new initiatives, experience a wide variety of situations and people. You’ll have continual opportunities to excel through training, promotions and attachments.

Rest assured, you’ll be fully trained on how to deal with the challenges of policing, which will really build your confidence, natural ability and enthusiasm.

In return, you’ll:

  • Liaise and work with other investigators, specialists and managers
  • Collect and gather material, intelligence and evidence from a range of sources
  • Identify and plan own investigative actions
  • Assess threat, harm and risk
  • Interview witnesses and suspects, gathering information, intelligence and evidence
  • Use relevant powers to arrest and apprehend where necessary and issue special warnings.
  • Undertake associated search and custody.
  • Provide appropriate support for victims during an investigation
  • Carry out analysis, assess evidence
  • Ensure all material, including exhibits generated by serious and complex crime are seized, examined, and retained
  • Respond to safeguarding concerns and manage risk in cases
  • Prepare reports on the outcome of investigations

 

Positive action

At BTP we are proud guardians of the railway and it is crucial that we represent the diverse communities we serve and protect. As ‘One BTP’ across the UK, we know that diversity, inclusion and belonging help us improve our decision making, foster creativity and drive innovation so all our people can thrive.

Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. So that we can become more diverse we encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, people who have a disability, those who are neurodiverse and persons who identify as LGBTQI+. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted workshops or advice sessions. If you have the skills, experience and values that here in BTP we pride ourselves on then we would welcome you to apply.

For more information on Positive Action please click here or email the team on PART-recruitment@btp.police.uk

We Are BTP

Benefits

We’re passionate about recognising and rewarding those who help us protect every journey. It’s you who makes the difference, so our benefits are designed with you in mind. Take a look at what’s on offer:

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Pension

We offer a generous pension to our employees. For further information, please contact our Pensions Manager at Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk

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Blue Light card

A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years and gives you access to a range of discounts, both online and on the high street

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Annual leave

Police Officers are entitled to 22 days annual leave rising to 25 days annual leave after two years’ service (maximum of 30 days annual leave with 20 years’ service).

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Maternity, paternity and adoption leave

26 weeks full pay maternity and adoption leave after a qualifying period. Paid paternity leave.

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Transport Benevolent Fund

A charity to support employees in the public transport industry for a small monthly payment.

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Cycle to work scheme

You’ll have the opportunity to hire a bicycle from us to cycle to work and you won’t pay national insurance or tax contributions on what you spend up to £1,000.

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Travel on duty

All Police Officers and Special Constables are entitled to free travel on all National Rail services when on duty, whether or not they are in uniform. Entitlement to travel is granted by the warrant card which must be shown on request, even if wearing BTP uniform.

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Oyster cards

Issued to Police Officers and Special Constables in London for duty, travel to and from work and leisure

Not valid on National Rail Services (TfL services only)
London Ferry Bus Service (Clipper services) and Emirates excluded.

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Travel

Subject to eligibility, police officers can apply for a residential pass or privilege season ticket for rail travel between their home and principal work location.  Police staff may be eligible to apply for an interest free annual season ticket loan which is repayable by ten equal instalments through your salary.

Health and wellbeing benefits

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Employee assistance

BTP’s employee assistance programme is a free, confidential service which supports our employees in resolving personal problems and improving their overall wellbeing.

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Wellbeing hub

Internal knowledge hub containing news, information and resources on a variety of topics, wellbeing events and details of all our support services.

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Private medical healthcare

Private health insurance is available to Superintendents and Police staff in grades C003 and C004 and above and their families.

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Eye care provision

Computer users are entitled to eye care examinations and glasses paid for by BTP.

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CSSC Sports and Leisure

A not-for-profit organisation positively promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.

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Insurance

Preferential rates from Police Mutual available.

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Armed Forces Covenant

We are silver accredited under the Armed Forces Covenant and we support Territorial forces reservists, including paid time off to participate in training.

Training

We need people who are self-motivated with excellent communication skills, a passion for serving the public and the willingness to work hard to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for this challenging but critical role.

Our training will build on your confidence, skills and life experience to give you the best start in your career. Before starting your Investigation training you must first complete our Police Officer training. This includes blended learning, combining traditional face-to-face training with remote/distance learning. Click here to learn more about our Police Officer training. 

Investigation Training 

The four month investigation section of the course will introduce recruits to the world of criminal investigation training. Covering best practice for all serious crime types and how to apply this to real-life investigations.

The units covered are:

  • Introduction to the investigative mindset and decision making
  • Opening investigations – ‘The Golden Hour’
  • Investigations and tracing suspects
  • Case studies and group work using real-life cases
  • Interviewing Victims
  • Interviewing suspects
  • Managing vulnerability and safeguarding victims
  • Custody practical – Working with Cid teams attending custody
  • Deployment with our Major Serious Organised Crime (MSOC) teams  - Learning from the most experienced detectives in the force.
  • Placement with our Scientific Support Unit (SSU) - learning forensic strategy from the experts
  • Placement with our CCTV unit – Learning the capabilities of this vital part of investigation
  • Casefile building – Presenting a case to CPS

All areas of training are based on real-life scenarios, cases and best practice. Equipping recruits with the know-how and confidence to enter CID as a good standard Trainee Detective Constable. The four month investigation training will also help to orientate recruits into the force and introduce them to a large cross-section of Crime command and CID personnel ahead of deploying to a investigation team.

The Application Process

1

Your application will initially be screened to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Once this has been satisfied, the information you have provided in the application form will be assessed.

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2

A high standard of written communication skills are a requirement to working with us. If your application form contains an unreasonable number of spelling or grammatical errors, then your application will be unsuccessful.

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3

We’re looking for evidence of the qualities you have to enable you to carry out your role and the rationale for wanting to join BTP. If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to take online tests covering word usage and numerical reasoning.

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Stage One Assessment Centre 

Once you have successfully completed the online tests, you’ll be invited to attend the first stage of our assessment centre. The day comprises of:

  • A one-hour competency-based interview and presentation

We’re looking for evidence of the qualities you have to enable you to carry out your role. We’ll assess your assessment centre answers against the Competency and values framework (CVF) 

More information on the CVF can be found here.

Those applying for the DC AES will be invited to a second stage interview if successful.

Stage Two Assessment Centre 

  • A Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT) – a beep test to level 5.4
  • Uniform measurements

You’ll also have samples taken (mouth swab and fingerprints) for the purpose of biometric vetting.

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Once you have been given a conditional offer, you will go through the full vetting process. This will include employment reference checks as well as our own baseline vetting. You’ll receive your offer letter or contract once these security checks have been successfully completed.

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You’ll also be asked to attend a comprehensive medical assessment, which will be conducted by a doctor or registered nurse. The medical assessment is thorough and includes checks of your eyesight, hearing, blood pressure and body mass This will help us to determine whether or not you have the level of health that is required for the role. You will also be required to pass a drugs and alcohol test.

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We understand that it's only natural to want to prepare for the recruitment process to be an officer with us. To support you through both your application and subsequent assessment centre, we occasionally hold application and assessment centre workshops.

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Eligibility

Before you make the decision to apply, you’ll need to make sure that you meet our eligibility criteria.

Vetting

It’s important that our employees provide the best possible service with the full confidence of the public they serve. That’s why every potential employee goes through a thorough vetting check as part of the application process.

Right to work in the UK

To join us, you must have the permanent right to live and work in the UK without any restrictions.

Residency

As a minimum, all applicants must have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. This is required to ensure we can conduct adequate vetting checks and this applies equally to all applicants, regardless of nationality.

Age

You must be a minimum of 18 years old to start employment with us. 

Convictions and cautions

You will not be eligible to apply if you have ever received a prison sentence.

All other cautions, convictions and involvement with the police must be declared during the vetting process. This will not necessarily result in your application being withdrawn, as all applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Financial position

As part of your checks we will verify your financial position. Employees hold a privileged position and have access to a range of sensitive and valuable information. Potentially, this means employees are a heightened risk of being vulnerable to corruption. This means, applicants must to be free from the pressure of undischarged debts or liabilities and to be able to manage loans and debts sensibly.

Tattoos

Tattoos are considered on a case-by-case basis if:

  • They are on your face
  • Above the collar line on the front or side of your neck,
  • Are large on the back of your neck and cannot be easily covered
  • They could be considered in any way offensive, regardless of their location.

Tattoos are considered if:

  • Visible tattoos are permissible on other areas of the body including hands, arms, legs, feet and on the back of the neck (providing the tattoo is discreet and behind the ear lobe).
  • Discreet tattoos on the ear are also considered acceptable.
  • Consideration will be given to tattoos on the face that were necessary following medical procedures or for cosmetic procedures e.g. eyebrows.

You are encouraged to contact the recruitment team if you are at all unsure about your tattoos and we will advise you wherever possible.

You can do this by emailing us.

 

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Inappropriate associations

You have to be able to conduct your role and responsibilities impartially and effectively. This means if you are currently, or have even been, associated with any group, society or individuals that could reasonably represent a conflict of interest, then you will not be eligible to apply.

HM Forces

Due to the timescales of our recruitment process, applications from service personnel will only be accepted if you have 12 months or less to serve before being discharged. You will need to attach with your application confirmation of your projected date of discharge. (e.g. a letter from your Commanding officer).

Education and skills

If you hold Maths and English Level 2 qualifications, as a minimum; then you do not have to complete the tests stated below; but you will need to provide the certificates for the Recruitment team to review.

  • GCSE Grade C/Level 4 or above in Maths and English.
  • Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy/Literacy
  • Scottish Qualifications accepted: SCQF Level 5, Intermediate 2 at level 5 or Standard Grade (with credit) – achieved at the correct grading in Maths and English.

Copies of relevant qualification certificates must be enclosed via the above link. Qualifications in other subjects are not accepted, irrespective of the level of qualification held.

If you have English and Maths at a higher qualification level those will also be accepted. You will be required to provide certification to evidence attainment of those qualifications to the required standard via the above link. A full list of qualifications accepted are available in the Apprenticeship Standards for English and Maths guidance on GOV.UK. You should specifically refer to ‘Level 3 Apprenticeships’ which covers the requirements for Level 3 apprenticeships/diplomas and above.

Business interests

You will need to declare any other employment or business interest you have and intend to maintain so that this can be reviewed to ensure no conflict of interest with the police.

You will not normally be eligible for appointment as a Police Officer or PCSO if you hold any office or employment for hire or gain, or if you carry on any business in addition to being a Police Officer or PCSO.

Health and medical

Our employees may encounter situations that can be stressful, traumatic and at times, physically confrontational. Our people can work long hours and cover rotating shifts, so the role can be physically and mentally demanding. Therefore, it is important our employees are in good health to be able to undertake their duties safely.

To ensure we can support our employees’ wellbeing, we’ll ask you to provide relevant details of your health and medical history in accordance with any questions we have to ask during the application process.

Application Requiring Reasonable Adjustments

British Transport Police is committed to improving inclusivity, accessibility and employment opportunities throughout our organisation. We welcome applicants to share any specific needs or requirements with us throughout both the recruitment process and in the workplace. We will make reasonable adjustments where possible if this highlighted within your application.

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