Police Front Counter Staff

Police front counter staff are often the first point of contact for the public at a police station. They deal with callers' enquiries or ensure that they are passed to the most appropriate person or department. They also assist police officers by carrying out administrative tasks.

Their responsibilities may vary between different police forces, but generally they include:

• responding to enquiries from the public
• dealing with missing persons and lost property
• receiving seized or surrendered items (eg firearms)
• dealing with fines, warrants, permits and licences
• recording details of crimes and vehicle accidents and completing reports
• communicating promptly with police officers and others
• maintaining security
• taking statements and appearing in court
• looking after victims and witnesses.

Front counter staff work a 37-hour week on a shift system, usually between the hours of 8am and midnight, including weekends and public holidays. The work is based within the police station. Uniforms are provided.

Salaries generally range between £15,000 and £19,000 a year, with some additional allowances being paid for location and shift or weekend work. Those promoted to managerial or specialist positions may earn £40,000 a year or more.

Police front counter staff should have:

• good customer service skills
• an assertive manner and the ability, if necessary, to deal with aggressive behaviour
• the ability to remain calm and think logically in difficult situations
• skills in planning, organising, decision making and problem solving
• good computer skills
• an interest in community issues.

Jobs are available nationwide within the 43 police forces in the UK. Each police force is responsible for its own recruitment.

Specific educational qualifications are not usually required, although good levels of literacy and ICT skills are expected. Previous experience of clerical work or voluntary work in the community may be useful. The Diploma in society, health and development and the Diploma in public services may be relevant.

The training for police front counter staff is organised by individual police forces. Most of the training is completed on the job, working alongside experienced staff. Additional classroom courses may be organised in-force or at a police training centre.

There may be opportunities to progress to a supervisory or managerial position in various aspects of police administration, or to move into a specialist role.

Further details