Police Officer - Rejoiner

LCU
Abingdon, Amersham, Aylesbury, Banbury, Bicester, Cowley, Didcot, High Wycombe, Loddon Valley, Maidenhead, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Reading, Slough, Witney
Police Constable
National Pay Scale
Full Time
Permanent

Together, we aim to build stronger, more resilient communities, providing a modern police force which meets the needs of the public we serve.

Preventing and thoroughly investigating crime, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. This commitment can’t be achieved by any one person alone; it relies upon a team of over 8,000 staff, officers and volunteers, working alongside partner agencies and with the public.

We cover a wide geographical area including Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Our patch is as diverse as they come – historic cities meet vast rural spaces. Cutting-edge organisations work alongside world-class universities. 2.4 million people call it home and 6 million visit each year.

There are four football league clubs and annual high-profile events including Royal Ascot, Reading Festival and Henley Regatta to keep an eye on. We often rise to unique challenges like the Royal Weddings and Presidential visits, with millions of people around the world watching on. We’re home to Windsor Castle and the PM’s country residence Chequers – which means we’re also home to a Protection Group of armed officers second only in size to the Metropolitan Police.

As you can see, policing our region is no mean feat. It takes a dedicated team of officers, staff and volunteers. Our people are our most important asset. As well as many staff benefits, we provide a wide range of career opportunities, specialist posts, as well as development and promotion prospects. 

We are encouraging of former officers returning to policing within TVP; whether you left to focus on family or to try a different career altogether, your new experience will be a valuable addition to the team. In addition, with the five year rejoin rule now removed, it’s easier than ever to return to policing.

We also have exciting opportunities available to specialise in a variety of departments including opportunities for Detective Constables, in ARV and Protection Group (or those with the ambition to join) and many more. Please get in contact to find out further details. 

This is your opportunity to take on a role with pride and confidence, inspiring change in our communities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to re-join Thames Valley Police, you must have: 

  • Previously completed your two year probationary period and have been confirmed as a substantive at the rank you are applying to re-join.
  • Live within 30 crow miles, 40 road miles and a 1-hour commute of two of our main police stations by formal offer of appointment.
  • Hold a Full Valid UK driver’s license. 
  • Previously worked at a Home Office force, Channel Isles and Isle of Man Police. 
  • There is potential changes in transferring from British Transport Police (BTP) and Ministry of Defence Police. Please email your interest and you will be added to a list and note that there is no timeframe outlined as of yet.

If you are applying for a Sergeant or Inspector post, please contact us for an update on our recruitment status.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process will follow a set programme of application, paper sift, competency based interview, vetting (including biometrics), medical checks, reference checks and fitness test. Numerous interview dates are available and we can accommodate a range of dates for medical appointments and fitness tests.

Posting Opportunities within Thames Valley Police

We are particularly interested in recruiting ICR officers who wish to be posted to Local Command Units (LCUs). These regions of Thames Valley Police provide a varying working space with opportunities to develop your career. You will have the opportunity to police vast urban and rural areas with a diverse culture and attend major events occurring within Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire counties.

Re-Joiner Detectives

With a force size that guarantees a broad range of crime and a reputation for solid investigations there is no better place than TVP to be a detective. We have an established, comprehensive investigative structure and are the host force for a number of South-East regional crime teams; for example Counter Terrorism Police South-East. As a detective, you will deal with some of the most serious and complex crime possible including serious assaults, domestic abuse, child protection, fraud, homicide, cybercrime, county drugs lines and crimes against vulnerable people.

As a Detective, no two cases or days are the same. You are responsible for managing and conducting complex investigations from initial crime scene management to the verdict being delivered at court. Your role will vary from interviewing suspects, identifying witnesses, handling forensic evidence, preparing and submitting case papers, attending court and being the point of contact for victims of crime as you work to uncover the truth. Partnership working is key as you collaborate with social care, health teams and schools, working alongside your uniformed colleagues to build the strongest case and achieve justice for victims.

Dependent on where you are posted within Thames Valley Police, you may be entitled to an annual bonus payment. For more information on this, please contact the Transferee Recruitment Team.

Temporary Detective Constable

We are not open for Temporary Detective Constable roles at this time and do not have a timeline as to when this will re-open.

Substantive Detective Constable

You will be able to transfer/re-join as a substantive DC and be posted to a suitable role within our PCT (priority crime team), CID (Criminal Investigation Department), CAIU (child abuse investigation unit), or DAIU teams (domestic abuse investigation unit). Alternatively, you would be able to apply for internal DC roles after a successful transferee interview via our internal jobshop adverts for non-response roles which you will be eligible to apply for. It is worth noting that that for specialist roles you will be required to interview and may have to undertake additional assessments or vetting checks associated with each role

Training 

All Home Office re-joiners who left less than 3 years ago must attend an initial two-week induction course at our Police Training Centre in Sulhamstead near Reading. This is a local procedures course including Public and Personal Safety Training, ELS, and familiarisation with the TVP NICHE system including electronic case files. During the course you will also be issued with uniform and IT (Information Technology) equipment.

You will then receive 5 weeks of tutoring/shadowing on LCU to consolidate your training.

If you are re-joining and left policing more than 3 years ago, you will be required to attend a seven-week version of this induction course. You will then receive 10 weeks of tutoring/shadowing on LCU to consolidate your training.

Officers who are re-joining after more than 5 years may be required to start a new Police Officer entry route. Our recruitment team can support if this is the case.

You will be subject to a probationary period, the duration of which will be confirmed during recruitment process, as per the Determinations of the Secretary of State Under Police Regulations 2003 Annex C.

Accommodation is available for those who live outside the posting policy for the duration of the induction course.

If you require any further information about transferring to Thames Valley Police please email Transferees@thamesvalley.police.uk

 If you are from an underrepresented group and would like to discover what additional  support and development opportunities are available, please do not hesitate to contact the Positive Action and Engagement Team who can help facilitate this Positiveactionteam@thamesvalley.police.uk.

Transferees and Re-joiners Support Group

Hundreds of our officers have joined us from other forces, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge with them from a variety of roles and specialisms. As a force we are proud to have a support network for transferring officers, to ensure a smooth transition in what can be quite a demanding time personally and professionally. 

TVP’s Transferees Support Group aims to provide support to all police officers who have recently transferred to TVP, ensuring they get the best possible start with us, as well as providing a knowledge-base to tap in to and improving the transferee experience. 

Pay & Benefits 

Thames Valley Police adheres to the national pay scales and as such you will re-join on the same pay increment you previously received. 
All Thames Valley Police officers currently receive South East Housing Allowance on top of national pay scales. This currently stands at £3000 per annum. 

TVP police officers, police staff and special constables qualify for various concessions and services, such as reduced gym membership, travel concessions and technology savings.

Our ‘Support for Study’ scheme ensures you have the opportunity to gain additional accreditation and qualifications.

A wide range of discounts for retailers, restaurants, travel, tickets and more available via our TVP Reward mobile benefits app plus eligibility for Blue Light Card membership.

A well-established Wellbeing function ensures you receive the support you need when you need it, including support for your Mental & Physical Wellbeing, Financial Wellbeing, Leadership Wellbeing and Health & Safety at work.

A wealth of support services are available through membership of the Police Federation.

A variety of Peer Support, Staff Support Networks and Buddy Groups including: Support Association for Minority Ethnic Staff, Disability Support Network, Women’s Network, Gypsy Roma Traveller Police Association, Muslim Police Association, Christian Police Association and Men’s Forum.

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities.  Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission.  As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us.

Working Smart.  You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day.  In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce. 

Supporting You.  Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do.  Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives.  We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card.  Learn more about how we will be Supporting You.

Developing You.  We promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential. 

Vetting.  All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.