Our Dispatchers need to be ready to manage calls for service 24/7. Our resources need as much information as possible to deliver the force vision to the public and you’ll have the crucial task of communicating with front line officers and ensuring calls for service are appropriately prioritised and managed, using THRIVE+ principles.

In Force Contact, the actions you take during those critical first minutes of an incident will shape the Force’s initial response and directly impact on the eventual outcome.

As part of a modernising police service you will need to be innovative in the way that you make decisions, ensuring that on each and every contact you understand the person, the circumstance and the need. This basic requirement will ensure that you make ethical and balanced decisions in sometimes life threatening circumstances.

We are looking for calm, strong decision makers who have the ability to quickly respond to the needs of front line policing. If you are looking to develop yourself, and demonstrate leadership in critical, sometimes life and death situations, then this could be the role for you.

Preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need is vital to the service West Midlands Police delivers daily to those who live and work in the West Midlands area. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring we deliver this service from the moment you take control of that incident.

If you would like to be at the exciting and invigorating frontline of policing and enjoy a varied week, where no two days are the same, then this could be the job for you. You will work within a friendly inclusive team of professionals who work together to deliver an excellent service.

These are full time posts which require applicants to work a shift pattern with staggered start times covering 24/7, 365 days a year.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

We are looking for you to have the following skills and attributes that will complement the training programme you will receive to excel in this role.

• Be computer literate
• Have accurate keyboard skills, minimum 25 wpm
• Have accurate verbal and written language skills
• Be able to prioritise and multi-task under pressure, achieve deadlines, whilst maintaining quality
• Be a proven decision maker

Essential Skills

• Possess highly developed problem solving skills
• Have organisational skills and the ability to prioritise 
• Ability to transcribe and accurately record information in a timely manner.
• Have the ability to remain professional at all times in relation to behaviour and communication with the public and staff
• Be able to deal with callers who are distressed, angry, upset or aggressive in an effective professional manner using influencing and verbal communication skills.
• Display emotional intelligence
• Be able to work independently and as part of a team where necessary 
• Be customer focused 
• Take personal responsibility for self-development which the organisation will support.

Conditions

• Post holders will be required to work to a shift pattern (24/7 shift pattern), which may include rotating/alternating shift patterns and include weekend working and Public Holidays.
• There are vacancies at various locations across the West Midlands area.
• Post Holders will have a nominated base location of work, but may be required to work at different locations across the force area within reason and to ensure business continuity.

Vetting:

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully passing vetting and medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.