Join us as a 999 response officer

What does a response officer do?

One of the most fast-paced roles in policing, as a response officer you’ll be on the front line of the organisation. Their role is to:

  • Provide a blue light response
    Responding to emergency and time-critical situations to protect victims, detect and apprehend offenders.

  • Carry out investigations
    From interviewing to collecting evidence or writing statements, our responders are trained as investigators for crimes such as robberies, serious assaults, and firearms incidents.

  • Be a visible presence
    As a uniformed officer you’ll help make communities feel safer by being visible and approachable on our streets. 

What skills make a good response officer?

  • Thinking on your feet
    You need to make tough decisions quickly and rationally, analysing risks in often unpredictable situations. You’ll thrive in high-pressure scenarios.

  • A calm, collected approach
    You’ll need to defuse conflict and communicate clearly in emotional and intense situations.

  • Emotional IQ
    Empathy to support victims in times of crisis and an inquisitive mindset to pursue investigations. 

Female response officer in a high-visibility uniform facing the camera and holding a radio

What is life like as a response officer?

You’ll start earning from day one of your training as a 999 response officer, with a salary of £31,164 plus a generous shift allowance. In response, you’ll be working dayshifts, late shifts and nightshifts, across weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. Many of our response officers appreciate the current shift pattern of working four days on, followed by four days off, as it allows time to rest and catch up on home and family life.

You get your shift pattern once you join your team, this means you will generally be able to plan far in advance. However, policing is unpredictable, and you may occasionally need to work overtime, adjust your shift pattern, or move to a different team.

Blue lights ontop of a marked police vehicle with a police van in the background
Police officer wearing a high-visibility police vest getting into a marked police vehicle in a residential area
Two uniformed police officers wearing high-visibility vests looking into the window at a residential property
Two uniformed police officers wearing high-visibility vests putting an offender into the back of a marked police van
Two uniformed police officers with face coverings using a piece of equipment to break down a front door in a residential property
Uniformed response officers arresting an offender in a city

What are my long-term career options?

Response officers have many career options, from operational policing with our Mounted, Roads Policing or Firearms Units to specialising in public order and much more.  

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

Male uniformed officer wearing a high-visibility police jacket and hat with an earpiece

Next steps

The first step to training as a 999 response officer is to choose which of the below entry routes work for you:

Don't yet have a degree but want to work towards one?

Join our 3 year degree apprenticeship programme.

Learn more

Already have a degree?

Join our 2 year graduate programme to become a response officer.

Learn more

Don't have a degree and prefer not to study towards one?

Choose our non-degree entry route to become a response officer.
Learn more

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 role, eligibility requirements, police officer pay & benefits, and you’ll have the opportunity to speak to current officers.

We’ll also guide you through the different entry routes available, including the degree apprenticeship, graduate programme, and experience-led pathways — so you can choose the route that’s right for you.

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

30th September 6pm – 8pm
15th October 6pm – 8pm