Neighbourhood policing has been hitting the headlines of late, with every police force in the country set to see a rise in the number of neighbourhood officers on the streets. Here in Northumbria, you’ll soon see an extra 152 pairs of freshly polished boots on the ground, 95 of which will be filled by a neighbourhood police officer.

Today, at the start of neighbourhood policing week, we’re opening our doors to recruit a brand-new cohort of dedicated neighbourhood officers. We’re the first police force in the country to offer new recruits an option to specialise in neighbourhood policing from the very start of their careers with us.

But what exactly does a neighbourhood officer do? Aren’t all police officers just doing the same job? And what kind of person fills those boots?   🤔

🚓 It’s not all about blue lights and sirens

Forget Line of Duty, Luther and Happy Valley. Neighbourhood policing isn’t about responding to 999 emergencies – or grade 1s as we call them – that’s the role of a response officer. Neighbourhood officers are more focused on long-term problem solving in communities, taking ownership of a patch and getting to know everything about it.

✍ It’s great for those looking for a career change

Many of those who move into neighbourhood teams have had other careers before they joined policing. At its heart, the role is about your ability to create relationships with a community. So, it’s an ideal opportunity for those already with the skills to build rapport and diffuse conflict – all of which often comes with a little more life experience.

🏡 It’s surprisingly compatible with family life

One of the things our neighbourhood officers love about the job is that it’s one of the best roles in policing for fitting into family life. Neighbourhood cops don’t work the same shifts as our response teams, with most late night shifts finishing by 3am. Their rota is usually 4 days on, 4 days off, meaning there’s a good work life balance and often, the chance to get along to parent’s evening or the school play.

☕ It’s not just patrols and cups of tea

Don’t get us wrong, there’s still plenty of action, drama and challenge to being a neighbourhood officer. Besides being more traditional bobbies on the beat, these cops are the go-to for executing warrants, searching properties for things like drugs or weapons, and searching for wanted people.

Piqued your interest? Come and have a go if you think you’re brave enough. Take your first steps into policing and apply now to be a neighbourhood officer 📝