Excellence in Community Policing

Policing the Communities of the Highlands and Islands

Conditions of service

There are certain important conditions of service that you’ll need to agree to as a Police Constable. We’ve outlined these below. It’s also important to remember that you should be willing to work in any location across the Force area. Of course, this offers you a huge opportunity to stretch and shape your skills.

1. Appointment

Police Officers are appointed, rather than employed and so hold a slightly different status from employees, which is reflected in their conditions of service. Officers require to be sworn into the office of Constable.

2. Probation

Officers appointed are subject to a period of probation for two years, before being confirmed in office. If at any time during those two years the Chief Constable forms the view that an officer is not fit to perform the duties of office, or that he/she is not likely to become an efficient or well conducted constable, he/she may discharge that officer.

This is also subject to meeting the standards of the Probationer training and development programme which is provided for probationary officers and is designed to enable and encourage officers to successfully meet the standards required, and except in cases of serious deficiency, every opportunity is given for officers to meet those standards.

3. Pay & Allowances

A schedule of current pay scales is available by clicking here. Overtime is payable for retention on duty beyond normal shifts, periods of additional duty and for periods worked on rest days and PH’s for officers at Constable and Sergeant rank. Overtime may also be taken as time off instead of payment.

Certain allowances are payable when officers are required to undertake duty away from their normal station, when undertaking specific types of duty and for travel or other costs incurred.

Officers in Northern Constabulary are paid monthly by credit transfer.

Uniform and necessary equipment is provided by the Force.

4. Conduct

Police Officers are subject to a statutory code of conduct, which is set out in Regulations, and infringement of these can result in punishment including a caution, reprimand, fine, withheld increment, reduction in rank, requirement to resign or dismissal. This code is designed to ensure an appropriate level of conduct and integrity within the Service. Your conduct outside working hours also applies.

5. Accommodation

Officers are required to arrange their own housing or accommodation, although hostel accommodation may be available for single officers in some stations. Local information will be provided to new recruits in finding accommodation by Area Commanders. Newly appointed recruits must pay their own expenses in moving to their station to take up appointment. In respect of officers posted to Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles, those requiring a removal vehicle to move their belongings, the Force will pay for the actual ferry fare of the removal vehicle, as well as the officers own vehicle and their own/family fares. Officers' accommodation is subject to the approval of the Chief Constable, although there are seldom difficulties in this respect.

6. Promotion

All officers have the opportunity to be considered for promotion once beyond probation and after passing the qualifying examinations. Assessment Centres are carried out periodically for selecting officers for a promotion pool. Thereafter selection for promotion is on application to a particular post.

7. Pensions

There is currently a contributory Pension Scheme, further details of which are provided during the induction process.

There is some provision for transfer of pensionable rights from previous employment.

8. Equality and Diversity

Northern Constabulary promotes Equality and Diversity.

9. Part-Time Working

Northern Constabulary welcomes applications from individuals looking to join the Force on a part-time basis. Individuals who join on a part-time basis should be aware that some conditions vary from those set for officers joining on a full-time basis. Police Officers within Northern Constabulary can apply for part-time or job share positions. On joining Northern Constabulary you must complete your probationary period, which may be extended beyond two years. All mandatory training will have to be attended on a full-time basis.

On taking up a post, a shift pattern will be determined by your local Manager.

Part-time officers must be prepared to work shifts appropriate to post, including unsociable hours. This may also require working additional hours.

10. Health & Safety

Northern Constabulary is committed to promoting safe working environments.

11. Other Information

Should you require further information on conditions of service, please contact the HR Assistant (Police Recruitment) at Force HQ on 01463 720318.

12. Form of Notice (DNA sample)

It is a requirement in terms of Regulation 19 of the Police (Scotland) Regulations 2004 that all new recruits to Northern Constabulary provide a DNA sample as a condition of appointment. The sample is to be used for elimination purposes only and will be held on the Police Elimination Database. The sample and information derived from them will be retained for the duration of the officer’s service and for a period of five years after cessation of employment with Northern Constabulary. In the event that you transfer to another United Kingdom police force, a copy of your DNA sample and derived information will be transferred to your new force. The purpose of the DNA database is to enable the elimination of police officers from crime enquiries in situations where DNA samples may have, or believed to have, become accidentally contaminated.