Police Constables
A career within the RGP can be exciting, challenging and rewarding with diverse career progression and enrichment opportunities. We aim to attract and develop the best people to reflect our diverse and unique community. Our Police Officers and support staff share the same vision, delivering a safer Gibraltar through excellence in policing. Our organisational values and Code of Ethics are at the core of everything we do.
The RGP is also a learning organisation. We value critical thinking and knowledge gained from experience, mistakes and employee contribution. We will share this knowledge and incorporate it into our daily activity in order to thrive in a changing environment.
It would be advisable to consider your personal statement at this time, ensuring that you refer to our Code of Ethics and the Person Specification detailed in the below sections.
Remember, your key skills and personal effectiveness will be assessed throughout the recruitment process. This will include any contact with the recruitment team prior to the submission of an application.
Nationality and Residency Requirements
Applicants must be British and have been resident in Gibraltar for at least 3 years. The 3 year residency rule is to help us select persons of good character with a good knowledge of our community. Certain applicants may be exempt from this requirement. These exemptions are restricted to the following:
• Gibraltarians returning to Gibraltar after living overseas
• Former or currently serving members of any UK Home Office Police Service (or other Blue Light Service)
• Former or currently serving members of HM Forces.
• Former or currently serving member of HM Prison Service.
* Any required probationary period must have been passed.
In relation to the above exemptions, be aware, that applicants “on employment will be, resident in Gibraltar”. You are therefore not required to be resident at the point of submitting your application form however if you are successful, you must be in a position to take up residence in Gibraltar on commencement of training.
It is not possible to transfer in to the RGP from other Government Departments or other Police Services. Applicants who have prior Policing experience will certainly be considered, but will start at the same rank and pay scale as all other successful applicants.
Previous Application
Those who have previously applied and not attained appointment, are free to apply in any subsequent recruitment campaigns.
Age
Applicants must be 18 years of age or over on the closing date for receipt of applications. Mandatory retirement will be at 55 years of age. Applicants falling within these age groups will be eligible to apply.
Evidence of Qualifications, Nationality and Date of Birth
Photographs or scans of relevant documentation must be produced when the application form is submitted online, (e.g. a passport, ID card & birth certificate in the applicant’s name). You must also bring copies with you to be examined and verified, you will be instructed when to bring these documents for verification.
Character
The office of Police Constable is a position of responsibility and trust, given only to law-abiding people with proven good character and integrity. As such, while consideration will be given to individual circumstances, any previous criminal convictions could impact on your suitability for the role.
All previous convictions should be disclosed. This includes Police cautions or involvement with the Police, including interaction with Police overseas.
Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected. This is inclusive of all interactions, whether or not the circumstances would have prevented an application from progressing. Convictions, warnings or cautions will not in every case prevent appointment. The decision will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence(s).
A Police Officer holds a responsible position within society. One of the primary roles is ensuring law and order is maintained. As a Police Officer, you will promote confidence among the community and show that the police understand and are prepared to deal with the issues that matter most to the public. Policing will enable you to work in partnership with members of the public and other organisations to make a real difference.
The Constable role is the frontline of the Criminal Justice system and community engagement. Under general supervision, but often operating independently. Responsible for the protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order through a range of sworn powers in line with organisational standards.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE
Police Constable – Area Response Team
AIM
To perform the statutory role of Police Officer: to protect life and property, maintain order, prevent and detect crime and prosecute offenders against the peace.
POLICE CONSTABLES ARE REQUIRED TO:
Gather and submit information that has the potential to support law enforcement objectives
Provide an initial response to incidents
Arrest, detain or report individuals
Conduct priority and volume investigations
Interview victims and witnesses in relation to priority and volume investigations
Interview suspects in relation to priority and volume investigations
Search individuals and their personal property
Carry out systematic searches of vehicles, premises and open areas
Manage conflict
Provide initial support to victims, survivors and witnesses and assess their need for further support
DEALING WITH PEOPLE
To provide a high quality of service to the community
Building and maintaining community relations including advice and support in areas such as crime prevention and personal safety
Dealing with members of the public and colleagues in calm, professional, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner, being mindful of diversity and integrity issues
OPERATIONAL TASKS
Conducting patrol duties
Attending road related incidents including collision scenes, vehicle check points and traffic offences
Perform traffic duties as and when required
Attending and giving evidence in court and at other hearings
Working as a competent team member, including wider co-operation with specialist departments
Carry out any other duties appropriate to the post as and when required
ADMINISTRATION
Completing administrative procedures, both paper based and through technology
Preparing crime reports and presenting case files
Administering custody procedures as an arresting officer
Remain up to date with force orders, policies, procedures and laws and maintain knowledge of all legislative issues affecting the role
Must comply with Police Regulations, Standing Orders and the requirements of Data Protection
Maintain standards of professional practice
To prepare for and attend and Court proceedings and other hearings
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| ESSENTIAL | DESIRABLE |
Qualifications | No formal qualifications are required however candidates must successfully undertake a Police Entrance Exam. |
|
Experience | Possesses work or other experience in community service and as a result has developed good customer focus. | Proven work experience in the field of community affairs and customer care including dealing with difficult/hostile customers.
Problem-solving skills |
Key Skills and Behaviours | Speaks and writes fluently in English.
Has a high sense of integrity, personal responsibility and effectiveness.
Ability to work under pressure and displays emotional resilience.
Has effective communication skills, including tact and diplomacy
Has good literacy skills in order to accurately record details.
Possesses a confident and calm disposition.
Able to work effectively as a team member and help build relationships within a team. Actively helps and supports others to achieve team goals.
Able to understand and be sensitive to social, cultural and racial differences. | Speaks and writes fluently in Spanish.
Possesses a full clean class B (car) driving licence. |
Personal Effectiveness | Able to demonstrate resilience by showing confidence to perform own role without unnecessary support in normal circumstances. Capable of acting in an appropriate way and controlling emotions.
Able to take personal responsibility for own actions and for sorting out issues or problems that arise. Is focused on achieving results required standards and developing skills and knowledge.
Has the ability to prioritise tasks, use time in the best possible way and work within appropriate policy and procedures. | |
Other Requirements | Willingness to work rostered shifts, weekends and public holidays, as and when the need arises. | |
General Health | Candidates are expected to maintain good general health, undertake a Job Related Fitness Test attaining a minimum score of 5.4 on the beep test. | |
Other | An appointment is also subject to the following requirements:
(a) Both fingerprints and a non-intimate sample for the purpose of obtaining the officer’s DNA profile are to be supplied for a speculative test and for elimination purposes, and; (b) The officer is to submit to drug testing on a maximum of [two] occasions during the probationary period.
A positive result with respect to (b) may result in the officer’s dismissal. | |
Stage 1 - Online Application Form
Please note that the office of Police Constable is a position of responsibility and trust, given only to law-abiding people with proven good character and integrity. As such, while consideration will be given to individual circumstances, any previous criminal convictions could impact on your suitability for the role. Failure to disclose any information requested in this section of the application form may lead to the withdrawal of an offer of appointment.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Stage 2 - Police Standard Entrance Test
All applicants who pass the application will be required to pass an online entry examination.
Stage 3 - The Police Fitness Test
While you don't need to be an athlete to be a Police Officer, you must be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. You will be assessed on your level of fitness during the first step of the selection process. This will be in line with the UK College of Policing Job Related Fitness Test (JFRT) standards.
Stage 4 - Online MMI
All applicants who pass the fitness test will be invited to partake in online Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). This will give us an initial insight in who you are as an individual, and how you assess critically.
Stage 5 - Practical Assessments
This is where we are looking to see what kind of a person you are and how you might be expected to deal with situations you may be faced with if you are successful in your application.
- Stage 6 - Interview Panel The interview is the final stage of our selection process. The interview process will further rank candidates in order of suitability to allow us to take the best candidates at the earliest opportunity.
Provisional offer of employment
Upon successfully passing the selection process and pending satisfactory completion of all medical, reference, vetting and selection procedures an offer of employment will be made.
The appointment will be for an initial probationary period of two years, during which you will be expected to continue your learning and be assessed. Should you not meet the RGP standards of competence the Commissioner of Police may terminate your contract of employment at any time during the probationary period. On successful completion of the probationary period, you will be confirmed in post.
The Royal Gibraltar Police are an equal opportunities organisation. We are fully aware of the importance of diversity amongst our staff and how critical this is to our success. We aim to have a diverse workforce to mirror the diverse community we serve.
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Q: Can I join if I have tattoos?
A: Tattoos are permitted but any tattoo that could potentially cause offence to members of the public or colleagues, or could bring discredit to the police service will not acceptable. Considerations include: size, nature, language, symbols and extent.
Q: What training will be provided?
A: Being a Police Officer requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. We will provide you with a comprehensive induction in our Recruit Training School. The training is challenging and rewarding and our training staff will provide all the support necessary for you to succeed. You will be expected to continue your studying at home and a pre-read will be delivered before you start.
Q: How much Annual Leave do I get?
A: On appointment, Police Officers are entitled to 25 days annual leave a year rising to 30 days after 20 years’ service.
Q: What is the current pay scale for a Police Constable?
A: During the period of training the current pay per annum is £32,330 rising to £36,087 upon completion the final progression test. Upon successful completion of the training programme the pay rises to £41,185, after 5 years £43,136 and after 10 years £50,763. (Data correct as of sept ’19)
Q: Are Police Officers paid overtime?
A: Overtime may be paid in certain circumstances if you work above and beyond your scheduled hours, in accordance with the Conditions of Service. In the case of an ongoing incident, any time over your agreed hours are considered as continuation of duty and will be paid at time and a third. There are also times when you may agree to work overtime and be paid either time and a half or double time depending on the circumstances.
Q: What hours will I be working?
A: Initially during the training programme, the hours are from 0800 to 1600 hours, with some flexibility. Upon successful termination of the initial programme, you will be deployed to a Response Team and work shifts. Our current shift pattern for uniformed core policing is as follows; two early shifts, two late shifts and two night shifts followed by four days off in a constantly repeating 10 week cycle, it also includes two mandatory training days within the 10 week cycle.
Q: Can I work in a specialised department:
A: Police Probationers are required to spend the duration of their probationary period; effectively the first two years of their employment, working in core policing. This means uniformed front-line policing. This will give you the necessary foundation to be able to possibly specialize later in your career as vacancies within other departments arise.
Q: Can I transfer my pension to the RGP?
A: Any existing pension is non-transferable. The pension is the standard Gibraltar Government civil-service pension (superannuation fund or provident fund number 2). It is not police-specific.