Lecture 12 - Law enforcement related careers

Question 1

Role of a police officer/ constable?

Answer 1

• to maintain law and order in the local community
• protect the general public + reduce their fear of crime
• is the starting rank

Question 2

Responsibilities of a police officer?

Answer 2

• provide a visible presence to deter crime
• respond to calls and requests from the public to assist at incidents
• work alongside communities
• diffuse potentially volatile situations
• act with sensitivity when dealing with situations
• interview suspects, victims and witnesses
• conduct arrests
• prepare crime reports and present case files
• attend and give evidence in court and at other hearings
• attend road-related incidents
• enforce road traffic legislation

Question 3

Salary of a police officer?

Answer 3

the starting salary is £21,402, rising to £41,130 at the top of the scale

Question 4

Working hours of a police officer?

Answer 4

full time officers complete an average of 40 duty hours per week in 8hr shifts

Question 5

Skills needed as a police officer?

Answer 5

• effective communication skills
• a sense of personal responsibility,
• problem-solving skills
• good literacy skills
• respect for diversity
• teamwork skills and the ability to work independently
• professionalism
• physical fitness

Question 6

Role of a detective?

Answer 6

• is a role rather than a rank
• they are police officers who conduct investigations into crimes within their particular division
• include’s working for the Criminal Investigation Department

Question 7

Responsibilities of a detective?

Answer 7

• develop and evaluate strategies to manage investigations
• use cutting-edge technology to help with the investigations
• analyse and interpret data
• prepare, complete and submit accurate case papers
• deal with forensic material
• conduct interviews and interrogations
• keep up to date with changes in legislation and procedures as they affect criminal investigation
• manage and lead teams of police staff

Question 8

Salary of a detective?

Answer 8

the starting salary for a newly qualified constable starts from £26,000 rising in annual increments to around £43,000 at the top of the constable scale

Question 9

Working hours for a detective?

Answer 9

around 40 hours a week depending on the police force you work in

Question 10

Skills needed to be a detective?

Answer 10

• communication skills
• planning skills to conduct an investigation effectively
• problem-solving skills
• emotional resilience
• decision-making skills
• teamwork skills
• respect for diversity
• effective leadership skills
• a good level of physical fitness and standard eyesight

Question 11

Training?

Answer 11

• should try and get work experience or volunteer
• graduate training programmes exist for both police constable and detective roles
• The Police Now schemes are two year programmes incorporating training courses and on-the-job work experience
• having completed the programme, officers/detectives then have the opportunity to specialise
• applicants for both of the Police Now graduate programmes typically must have at least a 2:2 degree

Question 12

What is a Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO)?

Answer 12

• a non- uniform role
• involve’s directly investigating crime scenes in order to discover evidence
• can include taking photos of the scene
• need to make sure evidence is not contaminated
• may be required to present evidence at court

Question 13

Responsibilities of a SOCO?

Answer 13

• respond to calls from the police to attend crime scenes
• preserve a crime scene
• take a lead in finding evidence that may support a later criminal case
• photograph and video the incident you’re attending
• use scientific methods to gather biological evidence
• take imprints of evidence, such as footprints or tyre prints
• write reports
• attend court to give evidence as part of a trial process

Question 14

Salary of a SOCO?

Answer 14

• starting salary = between £16,000 and £26,000
• experienced salary = between £24,000 and £35,000

Question 15

Working hours of a SOCO?

Answer 15

• full time = 30-40 hrs a week

Question 16

Skills needed for a SOCO?

Answer 16

• good attention to detail
• strong analytical skills
• the ability to work in a team
• good written and verbal communication
• the ability to follow set procedures and processes when submitting evidence for consideration
• respect for confidentiality
• a flexible and adaptable approach to problem solving
• accurate colour vision
• good IT skills
• a full driving licence
• photography skills

Question 17

Role of prison officers?

Answer 17

• supervising prisoners and trying to ensure the safety of all
• training and rehabilitating prisoners in custody
• most prison officers are assigned as a key worker for a number of individuals

Question 18

Responsibilities of a prison officer?

Answer 18

• supervise, manage and control prisoners lawfully, safely and securely
• perform security checks
• supervise visits
• advise and counsel prisoners
• deal with incidents as the ‘first on scene’
• provide appropriate care and support for vulnerable prisoners and those at risk of self-harm
• promote anti-bullying
• take an active part in rehabilitation programmes

Question 19

Working hours of a prison officer?

Answer 19

between 39 - 41 a week

Question 20

Skills needed as a police officer?

Answer 20

• strong interpersonal skills
• communication and people skills
• teamworking skills
• effective decision-making skills
• organisational skills
• the ability to remain calm under pressure
• physical stamina

Question 21

Role of a probation officer?

Answer 21

• manage offenders once they are released from custody and help to continue with their rehabilitation in the hopes of preventing reoffending
• may work in a community based delivery unit, a prison or a court team

Question 22

Responsibilities of a probation officer?

Answer 22

• carry out risk assessments and reviews on offenders
• manage and enforce community orders made by the courts
• motivate offenders to change their attitudes and behaviour
• assess prisoners in prison to prepare them for release
• assisting offenders to re-establish themselves in the community

Question 23

Salary of a probation officer?

Answer 23

• once training is complete = £ 30,000
• senior probation officers = up to £41,000

Question 24

Working hours of a probation officer?

Answer 24

37 hour week

Question 25

Skills needed as a probation officer?

Answer 25

• interpersonal skills
• the ability to persuade and influence others
• teamwork
• a caring attitude
• case work and report-writing skills
• planning and organisational skills
• effective decision-making skills and problem-solving ability
• motivation and commitment

Question 26

Leadership training scheme - UnLocked graduate scheme?

Answer 26

• a two-year leadership development programme
• during this you complete a Master’s qualification, get work experience as a prison officer working with prisoners
• application process involves a fitness test, application form related to how you match their competencies, and an assessment centre