Join us as a neighbourhood officer

What does a neighbourhood officer do?

Being a neighbourhood officer is all about finding solutions, building trust, and creating safer streets for everyone. Their role is to:

  • Protect those who need it most
    Be a visible and reassuring presence in communities, preventing crime and protecting the vulnerable.  

  • Build bridges and solve problems to strengthen communities
    Neighbourhood officers work with local organisations and schools to tackle the root causes of crime. 

  • Be a local expert
    You’ll build expert knowledge of your patch, and be proactive in making decisions to improve the lives of residents.    

What skills make a good neighbourhood officer?

  • Analyse critically
    You will have a methodical approach to solving multiple complex problems, whilst also being curious, innovative and open minded to finding solutions.  

  • Communicative and collaborative
    You will be able to develop meaningful relationships with both individuals and partner agencies, allowing you to communicate and persuade effectively.

  • You take ownership
    You take accountability for an area or issue and can work as part of a team and independently to make decisions

What is life like as a neighbourhood officer?

You’ll be earning from day 1 of your training as a neighbourhood officer, with a salary of £29,907 plus a generous shift allowance.

Neighbourhood officers work a mix of day shifts and late shifts. Depending on the area you’re based in, the latest shift you work finishes at 3am. Many of our neighbourhood officers say their shift pattern allows for a good balance of family life versus other policing roles.  

What are my long-term career options?

Working in neighbourhoods is a great place to build your skills for a varied policing career. The expertise you gain is a great fit for working in Prevention, Community Engagement and other public facing roles.  

You’ll have the option to progress through the ranks, from a first line leader to a member of the senior leadership team. 

Next steps

The first step to training as a neighbourhood officer is to choose which of the below entry routes work for you:

Take your first steps into policing

Before you apply to become a 999 response officer, detective or neighbourhood officer you’ll need to join a mandatory information event.

Here, you’ll gain insight into what working at Northumbria Police is really like, find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the roleeligibility requirements, police officer pay & benefits, and you’ll have the opportunity to speak to current officers.

Choose your preferred date below to sign up to an upcoming Teams, online event.
Can’t make these sessions? We’ll be running events all year, check back for later dates.