Conditions of Service

This section will provide further information relating to the conditions of service for serving police officers.

Pay

Scales of pay for all ranks of Police Offices below Assistant Chief Constable are prescribed by Police Regulations. Police pay is reviewed annually and is subject to a pay award effective from 1st September each year.

Pay scale as at 1st September 2008:

Commencing salary: £22,104
On completion of training: £24,675

Hours of Duty

Police Officers work 40 hours per week and shift patterns vary throughout the force area. However, you should be prepared to work shifts and will be expected to work weekends and bank holidays. Enhanced rates of pay are paid for overtime in accordance with Police Regulations.

Annual Leave

Under 2 years service — 22 days
Over 2 years service — 25 days
Over 5 years service — 25 days
Over 10 years service — 27 days
Over 15 years service — 28 days
Over 20 years service — 30 days

A Reward Leave scheme also operates for officers who have worked the full year without any sickness absence.

Probation

A constable is on probation for a period of 2 years, which may be extended in certain circumstances. During this period performance is monitored carefully and where performance does not meet the standard, your services may be dispensed with.

Business Interests

Police Officers are not permitted to have outside business interests without the express permission of the Chief Constable.

Promotion

All appointments above the rank of Constable are filled from within the Police Service. In order to become eligible for selection for Sergeant and Inspector you must first pass the appropriate examination. You will then compete in a competitive selection process for available opportunities. Promotion to ranks above Inspector are on the basis of selection only, there is no qualifying exam.

Pension

The Police Pension Scheme is a contributory scheme, with contributions of 9.5%. The Police Authority also contributes to the scheme. The pension scheme provides an index linked pension after the completion of 35 years service. III health provisions are also included and an enhancement may be payable where there has been an injury on duty.

Occupational Health Support

Extensive support is available for all staff in relation to their health and welfare. Trained staff within the unit provide personal support and make referrals to outside agencies who can provide specialist support in particular areas.

Flexible Working

We are committed to considering all requests for flexible working and wherever possible accommodate these requests. Reduction of hours or changes to patterns of working will be considered. Examples of alternative patterns of working include reduced hours, job sharing, term time working, flexi time, compressed hours and variable time working. This list is not exhaustive and all requests will be given consideration.

Sports Club

There are currently 19 recognised sections supported by the Force Sports Club. Club members have the opportunity to take part in competitive sports ranging from chess to rugby and from darts to sailing, in organised events against Police Forces or other organisations.

The Sports Club also supports some non-competitive activities such as flying and sub aqua diving. Both sections offer training facilities for members.

Childcare Voucher Scheme

The Childcare Voucher Scheme allows an employee to exchange part of their salary for childcare vouchers. If you are a working parent with children under the age of 16, you could be eligible to request childcare vouchers up to the value of £55 per week (£220 per 4-week pay period). Childcare vouchers are tax-free and exempt from both employee and employer National Insurance Contributions and can therefore reduce the cost of childcare for employees by up to 10% while at the same time saving the employer, Humberside Police, money too.

If both parents are working for Humberside Police, both can request childcare vouchers - equating to a potential Tax and National Insurance saving of between £1,196 and £2,392 per annum.

Childcare vouchers can be used to pay for the following forms of registered childcare: day nurseries, childminders, nannies, au pairs, before and after school clubs and even holiday schemes.

Who Provides the Vouchers?

There are a number of providers of childcare vouchers, but Humberside Police have chosen Fideliti Ltd. For more information, please contact: freephone 0800 288 8727 or visit www.fideliti.co.uk.