Join us as a 999 response officer

What does a response officer do?

One of the most fast-paced roles in policing, you’re the front line of the organisation. Their role is to:

Provide a blue light response
Respond 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 like 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 be able to make tough decisions quickly and rationally, analysing risks in often in unpredictable situations. You’ll thrive in high pressure scenarios.
A calm, collected approach
Being able to diffuse 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.

Become a Northumbria Police Response Officer

What is life like as a response officer?

You’ll be earning from day 1 of your training as a 999 response officer, with a salary of £29,907 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 rate our current shift pattern of working 4 days, then off for 4 days as it gives them a chance 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 sometimes you need to work overtime, change your shift pattern or move to a different team.

What are my long-term career options?

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

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

Explore our roles and ranks

Next steps

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

Ready to get started?

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.

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.