Transferee Q&A's

Where did you transferee from and what was your role there?

Authorised Firearms Officer on the Force Support Unit at Essex Police

Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?

In my current role I put together various training packages and deliver training to experienced officers as part of their continual professional development. I deliver training such as the tutor course for officers tutoring new firearms officers and traffic officers.

I organise courses for roads policing such as the roads policing lead investigator course. I also deliver training to PCSO’s regarding their designated powers, domestic abuse training and modern-day slavery training to name just a few.  

Why did you decide to transferee to West Mercia Police?

I’m originally from the West Midlands and I have family in this area. Additionally, I liked what West Mercia had to offer. 

How was the process of transferring to West Mercia Police?

The process was easy. A few steps to get through as you would expect.

What kind of skills and attributes can transferees bring to West Mercia Police?

I found that due to West Mercia being predominantly rural, the population is not as diverse as other more urbanised policing areas. The experience of dealing with a wider variety of situations and people of different backgrounds brings a great deal of skills and attributes to this organisation.

What would you say to someone thinking about transferring into West Mercia Police, but not sure if they should?

Be prepared for things to work differently and know that there will be bumps along the way. However, I feel that I’ve been given a lot of opportunities here. There’s a lot of changes happening in this force since I started over two years ago. The new chief and senior leadership team seem to be making positive changes to the parts that don’t work as well.

West Mercia is a great place to live, and I have worked with some really great officers here. I think that new ideas from different people from other forces should be valued and I would hope that West Mercia can benefit from many more transferees and hope that you decide to take the leap.  

Where did you transfer from and what was your role there?

CTSFO Instructor at West Midlands Police. 

Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?

Delivering both mandatory refresher training to existing ARVO & Team officers as well as initial firearms training, for officers attempting to become a firearms officer.

Why did you decide to transfer to West Mercia Police?

I had been informed that the Firearms Training Unit was on a mission to provide and support staff above and beyond, together with the hopeful new infrastructure that was being applied for in order to better training opportunities. I had been approached to transfer over and be part of this team. And although I never thought I would leave the West Midlands Police, and having reached 25 years with them, I found that I was excited to be involved with such a dedicated team, who clearly wanted to improve service that we were providing.

How was the process of transferring to West Mercia Police?

Extremely simple and straight forward, communications through were fantastic and all correspondence was professional but friendly. It felt like I was going to be joining a family.

What kind of skills and attributes can transferees bring to West Mercia Police?

I think experiencing different areas of policing can offer different solutions to potential development areas. But I think the skills and attributes would depend on the individual transferring rather than just because they are transferring.

What would you say to someone thinking about transferring into West Mercia Police, but not sure if they should?

Personally, I wish that I had done it years ago!

I would ask them, why they were thinking of transferring in the first place e.g. personal reasons like a house area move, or for a new challenge. I would definitely, from personal experience, say, that I have been welcomed very quickly into, what I would still regard as a family.

You are, again in my experience, treated fairly and are supported. I feel your voice is heard here in the West Mercia Police.

Transferring can be very daunting, especially if you have served somewhere before for a good length of time. It is a very personal decision to make, and for some, it takes a while to adjust to another force. But in my experience, I have found nothing but support and understanding from West Mercia and would recommend anyone one thinking about transferring here not to hesitate.

Where did you transfer from and what was your role there?

South Birmingham Neighbourhood team at West Midlands Police

Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?

Responding to incoming demand and acting on intelligence in real time

Why did you decide to transferee to West Mercia Police?

Lack of career development opportunities in West Midlands. I am passionate about delivering a good service and I was unable to do this by actioning legacy logs every day.

How was the process of transferring to West Mercia Police?

Very fast and smooth. Nothing was ever too much trouble for anyone in the BOC department.

What kind of skills and attributes can transferees bring to West Mercia Police?

• Inter-city policing
• Extensive training in extra skills such as Taser, CBRN, driving, Tutors, MOE etc

What would you say to someone thinking about transferring into West Mercia Police, but not sure if they should?

Definitely do it. I have been made to feel like I matter from the moment I applied. Something I have never experienced before. It will give you a new lease of motivation and ambition!

Where did you transferee from and what was your role there?

I transferred from Kent police where I was an ARV officer.

Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?

I am still in an ARV role on OPU. My role day to day is to provide spontaneous firearms cover to the area of West Mercia as well as providing roads policing capabilities to the area of Shropshire.

Why did you decide to transferee to West Mercia Police?

I had moved to Kent in order to join the police. After 6 years and getting onto ARVs I decided that I wanted to return to Shropshire in order to be around my family.

What kind of skills and attributes can transferees bring to West Mercia Police?

My previous force used Athena therefore I wasn’t at too much of a disadvantage when coming in. I have developed skills when I worked away from West Mercia and have been able to bring different ways of working to the force and approach to firearms incidents.

What would you say to someone thinking about transferring into West Mercia Police, but not sure if they should?

I’m thoroughly enjoying my new role. Whereas previously I would have to spend several hours a shift guarding a location, in West Mercia I am given the freedom to pursue whatever I want to during the shift. I’ve been given a more diverse role and responsibilities. My team are amazing which have helped with the moving process.

Where did you transfer from and what was your role there?

I transferred from Nottinghamshire Police and I was a Response Officer in the City Centre.

Could you provide a description of your current role and what your average day-to-day is like?

I am currently a Response Sergeant based in Worcester. On a day to day basis I manage a team of 23 officers. I manage their workloads, the welfare of my team and I also ensure that the daily demand that the Police is presented with is attended and dealt with.

Why did you decide to transferee to West Mercia Police?

My wife’s family are from Worcester and as such we moved here for support with our children and a more balanced family life.

How was the process of transferring to West Mercia Police?

Relatively simple. I applied via an application form and was offered an interview after a few weeks. Following my interview I was called the following day offering me employment. Following this it was the outstanding checks of medicals, fitness test etc. These were all organised quickly and I started around three months after I first applied for the job.

What kind of skills and attributes can transferees bring to West Mercia Police?

Having worked for another force I was able to bring my experiences and knowledge of different working practices to the organisation. I had worked in several locations both rural and urban.

What would you say to someone thinking about transferring into West Mercia Police, but not sure if they should?

Take the challenge! It can be very daunting starting again and having to build those relationships and reputation with the organisation. However I found West Mercia Police very welcoming of this and supportive as I found my feet in a new location and organisation. I have built fantastic relationships with my colleagues and have seen my career develop with promotion since I have been here.