Become a

Become a 999
Response Officer

As a 999 response officer, you’ll often be the first at the scene of an incident. You’ll travel on blue lights to tackle emergency situations, protect victims, and detain offenders.

What does a 999 response officer do?

As a response officer, you’ll be on the front line of one of the most fast-paced roles in policing. Your role is to:

  • Provide a blue light response: you’ll be trained in advanced driving skills to respond to time-critical situations and take control of an incident.
  • Carry out investigations: from interviewing to collecting evidence or writing statements, our responders are trained as investigators for crimes such as robberies or serious assaults.
  • Support victims and track down suspects: dealing with victims, witnesses or suspects is a key part of the job. They can be vulnerable, volatile – or both.

What skills make a good 999 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 where quick thinking is essential.

  • A calm, collected approach

    You’ll need to defuse conflict and communicate clearly in emotional and intense situations.

  • Emotional Intelligence

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

What will my career be like as a 999 response officer?

From day one of your training, you’ll start on a salary of £32K plus a generous shift allowance. Your salary will increase as you gain experience, reaching up to £52K.

As a response officer, you’ll work day, late and night shifts across weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. Many of our response officers say that the current shift pattern of working four days on, followed by four days off, gives them a good balance to rest and catch up on home life.

You’ll receive your shift pattern once you join your team, which means you’ll generally be able to plan well in advance. However, policing is unpredictable, and you may occasionally need to work overtime, adjust your shift pattern, or move to a different team.

After you’ve passed your training, you can apply to work in a huge variety of roles and specialist operational teams.

You could also progress through the ranks, getting promoted to take on new responsibilities and build new skills.

Discover officer roles & ranks

Find the entry route for you

The first step to becoming a 999 response officer is choosing which entry route is right for you:

I don't yet have a degree, but I want to work towards one
  • Join our 3-year degree apprenticeship programme. You’ll earn while studying towards a full-funded degree with Northumbria University.
  • Training starts with 18 weeks in the classroom at the Coach Lane university campus, in Newcastle, working Monday to Friday, 9-5.
  • Later, you’ll join experienced officers working shifts in a response team. You’ll have a tutor to help you build your skills and offer practical and wellbeing support.
  • You’ll also spend time with the Criminal Investigation Department, learning the ropes of managing an investigation.
  • As with studying towards any degree, there will be written assessments throughout the programme.
  • This option is open to you if you don’t already have a degree.

I already have a degree
  • Join our 2-year graduate programme to become a response officer.
  • Training starts with 18 weeks in the classroom at the Coach Lane university campus, in Newcastle, working Monday to Friday, 9-5. 
  • Later, you’ll join experienced officers working shifts in a response team. You’ll have a tutor to help you build your skills and offer practical and wellbeing support. 
  • You’ll also spend time with the Criminal Investigation Department, learning the ropes of managing an investigation.
  • This entry route includes operational and academic assessments. 
  • Once you pass, you’ll have a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice and will become a fully qualified officer. 
  • If you already have a Professional Policing Degree, you won’t need to complete the diploma part of the programme.

I don't have a degree and prefer not to study towards one
  • This is a 2-year programme, where you can train to be a 999 response officer.
  • There’s less academic study involved in this entry route, but you will still have some operational and academic assessments. 
  • Training starts with 18 weeks in the classroom at the Coach Lane university campus, in Newcastle, working Monday to Friday, 9-5. 
  • Later, you’ll join experienced officers working shifts in a response team. You’ll have a tutor to help you build your skills and offer practical and wellbeing support. 
  • You’ll also spend time with the Criminal Investigation Department, learning the ropes of managing an investigation.

Who can apply to be a 999 response officer?

To apply to be a police officer, you’ll need:

  • Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths are essential. For example, a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C/level 4 or above. There are more qualifications required, depending on the entry route you choose.
  • You must have lived in the UK for the last three years before you apply.
  • You must have a full UK manual driving licence or an overseas licence recognised in the UK that allows you to drive a manual car.
Officer entry requirements

999 Response Officer Pay and Benefits

Find out more about the starting salary and earning potential of a police officer. Discover our benefits package from generous pension contributions, to family-friendly policies and on-site gyms.

Your starting salary is £32K plus a shift allowance. Over 7 years, subject to a simple review, you can earn up to £52K.

Family-friendly policies including up to 6 months paid maternity leave, paid compassionate leave and more.

Join our Sports & Social Club and be part of Northumbria’s thriving sporting community, including access to on-site gyms.

Officer pay & benefits

Application Process

There’s a seven-stage process to joining us as a response officer. Starting with an information event, and including an interview, fitness test and vetting checks. 

During the application process, you can let us know whether you would prefer a role in a neighbourhood or response team. While we can’t guarantee your first choice, we'll place you where the organisation needs you most, and you'll have a real impact.

Officer application process
  • 01

    Join an online information event

  • 02

    Application form

  • 03

    National sift

  • 04

    Online assessments

  • 05

    Interview

  • 06

    Conditional offer and pre-employment checks

  • 07

    Final offer

Officer application process

Frequently Asked questions

Considering joining as a 999 response officer, but have questions before you apply? Our FAQs bring together the information people ask us most.

Discover all police officer FAQs
Discover all police officer FAQs

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