West Midlands

Police and Crime Commissioner

Information for applicants for the role of

PolicyOfficer (2 year fixed-term contract)

Contents

  1. Welcome
  2. About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police
  3. The role of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
  1. Strategic priorities
  2. Role Profile

6.Appointment and selection process

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Friday 7 April 2017

Dear Applicant

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the role of PolicyOfficer.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has the challenging role of ensuring that the 3 million people of the West Midlands are served by an efficient and effective police service. The Force is one of the largest in the country with a budget in excess of £540m and around 6,900 police officers and 3000 police staff headed by the Chief Constable.

The role of Policy Officer is an opportunity for a smart individual with experience in the field of policy, regeneration and economic development. You should have excellent experience of working with communities, businesses and partners to influence and develop effective and innovative projects. You will be effective at working across a range of multi-disciplinary organisations as well as having the ability to take forward areas within the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioners’ Economic Development Strategy. You need to be able to work as part of a team delivering the West Midlands Police and Crime Plan as well as on your own initiative, be able to undertake research, support & develop projects and initiatives which may cover a range of issues, and produce high quality briefings and reports which will contribute to the delivery of the Commissioners key priorities. You will need to demonstrate creative thinking, initiative and strategic awareness in the way you analyse issues and problem solve.

To assist you in completing your application form I have provided some background information about the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and about the role.

However, please contact Alethea Fuller on 0121 626 5395 should you wish to discuss the post further.

I look forward to receiving your application.

Kind regards

Jonathan Jardine

Chief Executive

2. About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police is one of the largest police forces in the country, covering an area of 384 square miles and serving a population of about 3 million people (over 1 million households). The Force sits at the very heart of the country and covers the three major cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It also includes the busy and thriving districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. The majority of the area is densely populated but there are some rural areas.

The region’s economy has diversified from its historic heavy industry roots of the Industrial Revolution. With the decline in traditional manufacturing, both the public and private sectors have rejuvenated the area. Birmingham has a commercial and shopping area which is among the largest in Europe. This is complemented by a wide range of social amenities such as the National Exhibition Centre, National Indoor Arena, the International Convention Centre, theatres, galleries and many large conference facilities. The area boasts a thriving nightlife, centred around Birmingham City Centre. West Midlands hosts a number of Premiership and Championship football clubs together with many others in the other leagues.

The region is well served by rail and road links. Road and rail travel is supplemented by significant air traffic through Birmingham International and Coventry airports. The area is proud of its academic institutions, being home to a number of universities located in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The population of the West Midlands is diverse. At approximately 34%, the black and minority ethnic population is significantly above the national average. Approximately 10% of the population were born outside of the UK. The average earnings and house prices for the region are lower than the national average.

There are seven local authorities within the area, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, each with a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership/Community Safety Partnership. The area is also served by three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Company and a number of NHS structures, adding complexity to the partnership landscape. Proposals for a West Midlands Combined Authority, and a regional mayor, are in active development.

West Midlands Police is one of the best performing metropolitan police forces in the country. Significant and sustained reductions across volume crime have been achieved. The Force hosts the Counter Terrorism Unit, Regional Organised Crime Unit, Central Motorway Police Group and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

Local policing is delivered through eight Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPUs). Other than Birmingham, which because of its size has two NPUs, the other NPUs are coterminous with local authority boundaries. Each NPU is headed by a Chief Superintendent. The work of the NPU is supported by a number of specialist central and support departments.

West Midlands Police has a reputation for continuous improvement, innovation and empowering leadership with a talent to continuously evolve and meet changing needs. The Force aims to deliver policing that is accessible and responds to the needs of local people. Neighbourhood policing provides a named team of local officers who can influence the policing priorities within their neighbourhood. They work with colleagues and partner agencies to address the concerns of their communities.

West Midlands Police faces the biggest financial challenge of any police force in the country. We have already made cuts of over £120 million, with further reductions likely. Partly in response to the financial pressure, but also to improve policing, the Force is working with a private sector partner in a major transformation programme.

3. Role of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

There are 40elected police and crime commissioners in England and Wales covering each of the 40 forces outside of London. Together with the Home Secretary and chief police officers, police and crime commissioners are responsible for policing in England and Wales.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is the local governing body for policing in the West Midlands.The Commissioner has an over-arching duty to secure an effective and efficient police force. The Commissioner has a number of statutory roles, which include:

  • representing all those who live and work in the communities in their force area and identifying their policing needs
  • setting priorities that meet those needs by agreeing a police and crime plan
  • holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving the Commissioner’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible
  • setting the force budget (West Midlands Police Budget)
  • hiring and, if necessary, dismissing the Chief Constable

To fulfill these roles, the Commissioner has a range of powers and responsibilities. The Commissioner:

  • must produce a Police and Crime Plan
  • must produce an Annual Report
  • must set the policing "precept", which is the part of local council tax that goes to policing
  • appoints and, if necessary, dismisses the Chief Constable
  • makes Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants
  • has oversight of how complaints against the police are managed
  • must keep under review opportunities for collaboration
  • has duties relating to national criminal threats, safeguarding of children, and consulting the public
  • has a role in ensuring the effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system
  • commissions services for victims of crime, and develops restorative justice services in our area

The Commissioner is supported in his work by a team headed by the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. Further information on the work of the Commissioner and the statutory framework in which the Commissioner works can be found on the Commissioner’s website:

The Commissioner is supported and scrutinised by a separate Police and Crime Panel. The Panel is made up of twelve councillors from across the West Midlands and two independent members. Information on the work of the Panel can be found at

Further information on West Midlands Police can be found at

JOB DESCRIPTION /

Job title:Policy Officer

Grade:Band D £27,519 - £38,538 (salary will be commensurate with experience)

Directly responsible to:Partnership and Engagement Manager

Directly responsible for:NA

Location:Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

Job Purpose:

To support the Partnership and Engagement Manager in all matters relating to policy, strategic planning and performance.

To adviseon aspects relating to policy, strategic planning and performance.

This is a politically restricted post.

Main duties and responsibilities:
  1. Assist in the development and implementation of a wide range of policies, plans and strategies
  2. Provide advice to the Partnership and Engagement Manager,Chief Executive (CE) and colleagues in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) on aspects relating to strategic planning and performance
  3. Contribute to the implementation of the OPCC’s business planning process and performance management framework
  4. Monitor and update the OPCC business plan
  5. Influence, design and deliver projects that reflect our ambitions and stronger commitment to economic growth
  6. Identify and manage programmes and other opportunities to assist in the implementation of the Commissioners’ Economic Development Strategy.
  7. Develop relationships with key sub-regional and regional agencies and other strategic stakeholders in the planning and delivery of major regeneration projects.
  8. Contribute to the preparation, monitoring and review of the Police and Crime Plan
  9. Assist in the implementation of effective systems, practices, processes and procedures in relation to strategic planning and performance
  10. Analyse the internal and external environment to identify issues which will impact upon the delivery of the commissioners’ priorities
  11. Undertake research and analysis of datasets relating to the communities in the West Midlands to provide socio-demographic profiles to better target communication and engagement activities
  12. Support the delivery of research projects and analytical support
  13. Keep abreast of developments, policies, legislation and best practice etc to inform OPCC policy and practice (particularly in respect of strategic planning and performance)
  14. Develop, produce and present briefing papers, reports, spreadsheets and presentations

Other responsibilities:
  • Support the Police and Crime Commissioner, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) and Chief Executive in raising awareness of and actively promoting the role of the PCC with political leaders and decision makers across the West Midlands
  • Build, maintain and manage effective and influential relationships with a wide range of colleagues in other organisations locally, regionally and nationally
  • Ensure compliance with the framework for knowledge management to support effective decision making
  • Represent the PCC, DPCC and CE/management and contribute to discussions at multiagency meetings/conferences/events
  • Support the delivery of ad hoc projects that contribute to achieving the priorities of the PCC and DPCC
  • Support the development of programmes and projects and initiatives and ensure the delivery of required outputs and outcomes
  • Support the implementation of change programmes
  • Take personal responsibility for personal and professional development and maximise own resources in a way with reflects the values of the OPCC
  • Work closely with the other colleagues to improve operational practices and effectiveness
  • Comply with the framework for knowledge management to support effective decision making
  • Ensure compliance with all OPCC policies, procedures and practices
  • Undertake such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the level of the post

Person Specification

FACTORS / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / HOW IDENTIFIED
Qualifications /
  • Degree or equivalent or experiential learning
/
  • Post Graduate/Management qualification
  • Project management training/qualification (e.g. PRINCE or similar)
/ Application form
Experience / Experience of:
  • assisting the development, review and implementation of strategies and plans in the public sector
  • supporting the implementation of performance management frameworks and business planning processes
  • providing advice in relation to policy, strategic planning and performance
  • horizon scanning to keep abreast of emerging agendas and issues
  • managing projects
  • multi-agency and partnership working
  • analysing and interpreting complex data sets
  • using information and intelligence to ensure effective decision making and policy development and continuous improvement
  • carrying out research activities and projects using a range of techniques and methods
/ Experience of:
  • working in a political environment
  • analysing, interpreting, presenting and utilising organisational insight
  • collect and analyse insight to inform decision making and continual improvement
/ Application form
Interview
Knowledge and skills /
  • Knowledge of current issues facing the public sector and policing in particular, including key policy areas, performance management and business planning
  • Support the development, review and implementation of strategies and policies
  • Knowledge of performance management frameworks, processes and procedures
  • Knowledge of business planning approaches
  • Construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally using a variety of techniques
  • Ability to prioritise and manage workloads and competing priorities and meet deadlines
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Excellent writing skills
  • An understanding of research methodologies and their application
  • Understanding of data quality and information governance issues
  • High levels of analytical and research skills
  • Analysis and interpretation of complex data sets
  • Proven negotiating, influencing, networking and partnership building skills
  • Ability to utilise a full range of standard office IT software/packages
  • Motivating and inspiring others to achieve
/
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation in particular the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
  • Understand structures and functions of Police and Crime Commissioners and the tripartite structure of policing in the UK
  • Understand the Government’s public sector reform programme and police reform in particular
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Equality Act 2010
  • Knowledge of project and programme management methodologies
  • Knowledge of economic development and regeneration
/ Application form
Interview
Test
Personal Qualities /
  • Proactive ‘self-starter’
  • Ability to seek out innovation and creative solutions
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Ability to work as part of a team to achieve objectives
  • Political sensitivity and astuteness
  • Promote diversity and racial equality
  • Commitment to continuous professional development
/ Interview

6. APPOINTMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS

The closing date for applications is12 noon, Friday 7 April 2017. If you would like to discuss the post, please telephone Alethea Fuller on 0121 626 5395.

Completed application forms should be emailed to Karen Dawes:

1

West Police and Crime Commissioner

Policy Officer 2017