Understanding the six core police skills
By How To
16/05/2016
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Every police officer, constable and
community support officer use the same national application form and assessment
centre when applying for a job. As well as learning about the recruitment
process, you need to know what assessments you will be given, including the
very important six police skills. Read on to get a head start…
1) The
ability to work with others
i)
Shows the ability to work with
other people and teams, is able to take and offer advice about ways to complete
tasks, accepts feedback, and offers their own views.
ii)
Always seeks to develop
positive and productive working relationships, not just with colleagues but
with partner agencies too.
iii)
Uses an appropriate
communication style, pitched at the right level to the target audience, to
explain their perspective.
iv)
Asks questions to ensure they
fully understand the task, or how the task is to be done, so that they
understand both the situation and the point of view of the other people
involved.
v)
Shows the ability to persuade
people of the wisdom of following a certain course of action, in order to
achieve the outcome desired.
2) Recognition
of what serving the public involves
i)
Shows commitment to doing the
best possible job for the public, not settling for doing the minimum acceptable.
ii)
Understands customer and
community concerns, and the fact that what may seem to be a small issue to one
person or organization, can in fact have a massive impact on another individual
or community.
iii)
Understands what issues are
important to the community, by actively finding out what they are,
acknowledging them and doing something to address them.
iv)
Communicates to build bridges
and break down barriers between individuals or groups within the community.
v)
Understands that policing a community
has impacts on that community.
vi)
Works in partnership with
people and groups within the community to improve the quality of life for those
groups.
3) The
ability to embrace change
i)
Is able to recognize that
change is necessary and that organisations and individuals need to change as
well.
ii)
When new ways of working are
introduced, puts effort into making those systems work, overcoming teething
troubles, and shows commitment to making new systems succeed.
iii)
Looks for solutions to problems
that are new and innovative, and shows creativity. Does not stick by
traditional methods without considering which new ones can be brought in.
iv)
Finds cost effective solutions.
v)
Understands problems and makes positive
suggestions to solve them.
vi)
Solves problems by using new ideas
and ways of thinking to be innovative and creative, whilst remaining practical.
4) The
ability to make decisions
i)
Gathers all the available
information before deciding on a course of action.
ii)
After meeting the above, will
evaluate a range of potential options.
iii)
Assesses the outcome of their
work or decision, altering things as necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
iv)
Makes informed decisions about
the risks of an action compared with the possible benefits and is able to
explain as necessary.
v)
Understands that communities
are affected by the way in which they are policed, and will affect an
appropriate style as required.
vi)
Uses their professional
experience and judgement to solve a problem, exercising discretion in a fair
and balanced way, without compromising integrity.
5) Professionalism
i)
Shows evidence of honesty and
integrity in all dealings with the public, offenders and community.
ii)
Is willing to report inappropriate
behaviour amongst colleagues.
iii)
Will shoulder responsibility
for a problem.
iv)
Shows determination to overcome
challenges, personally or professionally.
v)
Is willing to take on extra
tasks without being asked.
vi)
Challenges inappropriate
behaviours or beliefs.
vii)
Listens to the views of others
and learns.
viii)
Is attentive when required and
remains professional at all times.
6) Service
delivery
i)
Shows the ability to understand
the wider goals of the police service.
ii)
Plans logically to achieve the
best results.
iii)
Plans work in a logical ordered
manner, utilizing specific objects.
iv)
Plans time effectively and can
perform several tasks at the same time.
v)
Can walk though plans mentally,
seeing flaws or potential problem areas.
For more information about applying for the
police, read: The Definitive Guide to Passing the Police Recruitment Process: A handbook for prospective police officers, special constables and police community support officers (Robinson)
by John McTaggart.