We are looking for the highest quality officers to join our ranks.
What we offer
We offer a unique, stimulating and rewarding career with an opportunity to make a real difference to your community. We see individuality as a strength and empower our people to make the right decision for the public that we serve.
You will join us through a bespoke transferee learning course to ensure you are operational as early as possible.
You will be engaging directly with our communities and will be responsible for ensuring that they receive an outstanding policing service. Our officers are leaders and every day make a positive and lasting difference to the lives of the public that we serve.
We are a courageous organisation which is committed to learning. Innovation is at the heart of what we do and we are always searching for new ways to help our people perform at their best, whether that is through the latest tech, pioneering different approaches or training and personal development.
Throughout your career we will enable you to unleash your full potential by providing dedicated support and training which will support your professional development.
Relocation package
Officers must reside within the Avon and Somerset force area. For some roles, if you are relocating to our force area we may offer a relocation package of up to £8,000. Check the vacancy for further details.
What we need
We are seeking individuals who embody our organisational mission, vision and values:
- Mission: Serve, protect and respect
- Vision: Outstanding policing for everyone
- Values: Caring, courageous, inclusive and learning
To be eligible to apply, you must have completed your probation period as a police officer and currently be working for a Home Office force.
Location
You must live within the boundaries of the Avon and Somerset force area – however, we would strongly advise you not to enter into any lease or purchase of property until we have confirmed a posting.
Our decisions on postings are made on the basis of operational demand.
Individual preferences will be noted and we will attempt to accommodate them. We are unable to guarantee a specific location and will not be in a position to confirm a post until all recruitment checks have been successfully completed.
It is a requirement that all successful applicants remain in post for a minimum of two years. Successful applicants are usually posted to Response, however, we reserve the right to post based on operational demand and suitability for the role.
Transfer process
Before you apply for a transfer to Avon and Somerset Police, you will need to make sure you fit the criteria in the job description. You will be expected to adhere to the full transferee recruitment process.
Your application will be processed within two weeks of receipt or following closure of the vacancy.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for a virtual interview.
We will let you know the outcome of the interview within two weeks. Subject to all pre-appointment checks, successful applicants could take up their appointment within three months.
Fitness test and medical
Following your interview you will be invited to headquarters, Portishead to complete a medical assessment including forensics testing, a job-related fitness test and substance misuse test.
These recruitment checks can only be completed within Avon and Somerset. Previous clearances gained from other forces are not applicable.
The job-related fitness test will consist of the following elements:
- Warm up to level 3 on endurance fitness shuttle run (bleep test) followed by two minutes of stretching
- Endurance fitness shuttle run (bleep test) up to level 5/4 (this may vary for specialised roles)
Vetting
After successful completion of the medical and physical tests, further checks will take place, including vetting and professional standard checks. Vetting clearance is not transferrable between forces.
The vetting process is extremely thorough and robust and takes about three to six months. If you have worked for more than one force, it can take longer to complete the various vetting checks.
We will keep you informed at every stage of the process.
Why work for us
Find out why you should work for us.
Current transferee vacancies
Transferee courses are planned throughout the year and the process can vary in duration. This is dependent upon recruitment timelines and we will keep you updated and informed about what course start date we will be progressing your application for.
We currently have the following transferee vacancies:
- Detective Sergeant
- Detective Constable
- Police Sergeant – Patrol
- Police Constable
- Police Constable – Dog Handler
- Police Constable – Detainee Investigation Team (DIT) Investigator
- Police Constable – Firearms Instructor
PCSOs and special constable transferees
If you are currently serving as a PCSO with another police force and have completed your 12-month probationary period, you are eligible to apply for a transfer to Avon and Somerset Police.
Contact our Talent Acquisition team if you are a special constable who wants to transfer to Avon and Somerset Police.
Stay up to date
Find out about our latest vacancies by registering for our job alert email service, or join our Talent Bank to be contacted about suitable vacancies.
Police promotions
To be eligible for police promotion, you must be substantive in your current rank. For more information, see police promotions process.