Working as a Dyfed-Powys police officer
There is no typical day at work as a Police Constable. Every day is different, bringing new challenges and opportunities to improve the lives of the communities we serve.
As a Dyfed-Powys Police Officer you may find yourself:
- responding to incidents and calls for help from the public
- speaking to victims of crime, making sure they get the best possible service
- recording and investigating crime
- making arrests, interviewing suspects, and taking statements from witnesses
- searching for missing people
- giving evidence in court
- policing large public events, concerts and demonstrations
- dealing with road traffic collisions and offences
- carrying out proactive patrols to assist with problem solving
During your probationary period you will undertake the role of a uniformed officer. You will not be allowed to specialise until you successfully complete your probationary period and are deemed competent in the role.
Working hours and conditions
You would normally work 40 hours a week on a shift system, which include nights, weekends and public holidays. Overtime is sometimes available.
After 26 weeks of employment, you will be eligible to submit a flexible working request and apply to work part-time. If approved your probationary period will be extended to reflect the reduction in hours.
You will spend much of your time outdoors on foot or in a patrol car. You will have some duties indoors, for example at the police station, the courts, or at private or business locations. However the priority is visible policing, engaging and responding to public needs.
Training and development
You will spend the first years as a student police officer (or probationer). Your initial training period at headquarters will be delivered by a dedicated training team for a period of 26 weeks followed by a tutorship at your allocated division. This period is part of a Police Education Qualification Framework programme (PEQF) which is designed to fully equip you in the role of Police Constable. The programme covers many aspects, such as policing skills, legislation, investigative methods, community partnership working, digital policing, evidence based policing, roads policing and many more and will now include an academic element which will be supported via the University of South Wales.
You will be supported and developed throughout the probation period and your skills and knowledge will be continually assessed during this period. After successfully completing your probation, you would be awarded the rank of police constable and achieve either a Degree in Professional Policing Practice or a Diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
After becoming a police constable, you could apply to specialise in a number of areas. There is an internal application process for specialist units and there is usually strong competition for places. Specialist areas include:
- CID
- Fraud
- Traffic
- Drugs
- Firearms
- Counter-terrorism
- Dog handling
As a Police Officer you will also have access to the force’s Development & Assessment Profile which is a system designed to monitor and record the good work that you do.
Skills, interests and qualities
As a police officer you will need to have:
- honesty, confidence, social awareness and a responsible attitude
- the ability to assess a situation, react quickly and take positive action
- resilience
- the ability to remain calm in sometimes life-threatening situations
- the ability to work alone and in a team
- strong communication skills
- courage, initiative and common sense
- good fitness levels
- good literacy skills
- a firm but tactful approach
- the ability to show tolerance and courtesy to the public
- self-discipline
- the ability to give and receive instructions