Competancy Questions Flashcards
An example of when you have worked well with others
I was deployed to work during the euros football. This would mean travelling to France, working with French police and going to Leon. One of my colleagues expressed how she thought it was pointless and was quite negative. I explained to her the positive approach we could have and explained we needed to show willingness and support to our colleagues. Once in Paris the French police needed to take alcohol off of the English fans, this was where I stepped in and explained that we should speak to the English fans and translate the process, the French police were grateful for this and we were able to treat the English fans fairly so they co-operated and we’re grateful for us being there. We created a positive working relationship with the French police after this, we prevented a disturbance or any unacceptable behaviour by being there and British transport police looked good as a result.
Shown openness to change
During my time as a neighbourhood officer I realised that when attending different rail stations and dealing with incidents - taking statements and seizing evidence we were wasting time having to collect the correct equipment before hand. I came up with an alternative approach by making evidential packs to leave at all stations with all the equipment and paperwork we need when first on scene with an incident. The rail staff were very happy with this as we were able to deal with each incident quicker and more effectively. By putting in the extra effort and realising what I could do to problem solve this helped police officers by not wasting time and therefore was a cost effective idea.
Give us an example of when you have made a difficult decision and the impact of your decision
First on scene to a female that had expressed a feeling of depression and jumping in front of a train. I spent time with this female, considering my options before making a decision and gathering all the information available to me
First. I considered the options of doing nothing, giving advice, detaining her under the mental health act. Many of my colleagues suggested detaining her but I felt this was not necessary and although it may have been the easiest option for me I decided against it. Instead the female voluntary went into the ambulance called for her. I stayed with her and didn’t leave until her mother arrived at hospital to take over. I used my discretion here, I could see that the female needed help but didn’t necessarily need to be detained as she had realised her feelings and asked for help. She was very grateful for my help and expressed her gratitude, after this incident I had many people questioning my decision, but I explained the wider impact my decision would have made to her and my reasons behind it. I could happily justify my actions to anyone.
What do you know about TVP ?
Thames valley has a population of 2 million people with 6 mil visitors each year. Split into 3 countys, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and oxfordshire and divided into 12 local policing areas. There are approximately 4000 police officers and 4000 police staff. TVP’s aim is working in partnership to make our community safer. The values to build trust and confidence in the community are taking pride in delivering a high quality service and keeping our promises, engage listen respond and learn from experience and always seek to improve. The force objectives are to cut crimes of most concern to the community, reduce cost and protect the front line, improve communication with the public, increase visible presence, protect our communities from the most serious harm and tackle bureaucracy and develop the professional skills of staff. Of course this is all working in line with the code of ethics, a set of standards and principles set out by the college of policing. I know from the past Op bullfinch was a huge incident in TVP regarding CSE in Oxford and missed opportunities to safeguard children. There is currently operation stronghold which is all about serious organised crime where vulnerable adults were exploited to deal drugs. TVP are currently suffering with budget cuts. 12.6 million was taken from last year making a total of 70 million since 2012. They are also facing such challenges as the rise in sexual offences being reported, the new bail process and of course on-going terrorism which is still at level severe.
