Job Hunting Guide

We’ve been in your position

Our consultants are not drawn from the commercial recruitment industry. They’ve worked in your sector, and know how best to put your skills and experience to work.

The commercial, public and policing sectors are all active in recruiting generalist and more specialist positions. This includes seeking those with experience in community safety, policing, regulatory enforcement, intelligence, counter fraud, risk and offender supervision.

The commercial sector

There are many opportunities available within modern commerce. This ranges from the traditional insurance investigation roles to regulation compliance positions within financial service organisations.

Increased opportunities Legislation, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act and the strengthening of Anti Money Laundering Regulations, have created new business areas.  These welcome applications from officers with specialist financial crime and compliance knowledge.

The public sector

The public sector has seen a whole raft of new legislation, such as the Environment Act, Clean Neighbourhood Act and the Crime and Disorder Act. Each requires local authorities to investigate incidents using best practice techniques and to enforce new bylaws and laws.

There has also been an increase in offender supervision and intervention activities by local authorities, probations trusts and prisons.

The police sector

The Police Reform Act 2000 empowered police authorities to create more police staff roles (traditionally referred to as civilian roles or non sworn officer roles) which were in essence front line crime fighting roles.   Examples being civilian investigators, crime analysts, intelligence officers, detention officers and police community support officers. These were either newly created roles or jobs which were traditionally delivered by serving police officers.  This ‘civilianisation’ of the operational parts of policing has resulted in many authorities wanting to attract job seekers from the broader crime prevention & detection, intelligence and offender supervision work communities.

Highly, police service, experienced contractors are always in demand. This is true whether you work at the ‘coal face’ or in more specialist roles, such as training or project management. Bringing back retired officers on a permanent basis is also commonplace, either in sworn officer duties – 30 year plus schemes – or as highly skilled police staff.

Contracting Work vs. Permanent Work

This issue of contracting work vs. permanent work is an important consideration for the retired practitioner. Many opt to become full time contractors, picking up 2 to 3 month or 4 to 6 months assignments. There is also the option to work part time, but here opportunities tend to be less frequent.

Contracting offers the additional choice of what terms you would like to be employed by. Working as a contractor allows the individual to opt out of traditional PAYE schemes, and elect to use umbrella company pay schemes. This offers the advantage of having most expenses set against tax paid.

Setting up your own Ltd Company

There is also the option to create your own limited company and invoice employers for your service, although there are legal pitfalls with this choice.  Learn more here.

We’re committed to your success

The scope of our market reach, and expertise we offer, puts a wealth of temporary, permanent and freelance options at your fingertips.

We offer ongoing support and guidance to ensure you slot quickly into your next position. This means we will:

• Enhance your CV writing for greater impact
• Cover interview preparation and technique
• Update you with regular market and job news

Last edited: 11th September 2015