Transferee FAQs

Questions

1. How long will my application take?
2. When will my force find out that I have decided to transfer?
3. I am a BTP Officer. Can I still transfer to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary?
4. I am in MoD Police. Can I still transfer to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary?
5. I am currently serving in a Scottish Police Force and am looking to transfer into Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.
6. Can part-time officers transfer?
7. Will I be able to choose a station to work at
8. I am currently at sergeant rank. Can I only transfer as a police constable
9. I am a sergeant transferring as a PC, can I still sit the inspector’s exam?
10. What promotional prospects are there?
11. I am currently in a specialist police role. Can I transfer directly into a similar role?
12. Will my existing qualifications and examinations be honoured?
13. What happens with my pension?
14. What will my salary scale be, and when will I get paid?
15. Are removal expenses payable?
16. How much annual leave am I entitled to?
17. Is there a fitness test?
18. If I fail the fitness test, how long must I wait before re-applying?
19. What kind of training / induction can I expect?
20. Will I be able to keep my rent / housing allowance?
21. I am on a career break with my current force, can I still apply to transfer?
22. I am currently off sick from my force. Can I apply to transfer?
23. I have tattoos, will I be accepted?

Answers

How long will my application take?

A process normally takes up to 6 months from application closing date to start date.

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When will my force find out that I have decided to transfer?

We will contact your personnel office and professional standards unit if you have been successful at shortlisting.

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I am a BTP Officer. Can I still transfer to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary?

Yes, you can transfer in the normal way.

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I am in MoD Police. Can I still transfer to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary?

Yes, however, your pension will be transferred at approximately two-thirds. The Sergeant’s promotion exam can be recognised if taken after September 1996 when MDP went to Osprey style assessment. MoD officers are unable to transfer their allowances.

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I am currently serving in a Scottish Police Force and am looking to transfer into Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

Due to variances in training provision, transferees from Scottish Forces will be assessed on their training requirements for the role that they are looking to undertake. Promotion exams remain valid where the qualifying examination was taken before 1st August 1996, or, where the qualifying examination was taken after 1st August 1996 and the officer has completed not less than one year’s service in that rank and the period of probation in that rank.

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Can part-time officers transfer?

Yes.

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Will I be able to choose a station to work at

Postings are based on our Force requirements at particular locations and departments.
We will make the available postings clear in your application pack.

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I am currently at sergeant rank. Can I only transfer as a police constable

We are not currently recruiting transferees at sergeant level. You have the option to transfer to this Force as a PC. Please call the recruitment unit on 01392 452483 to discuss this further.

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I am a sergeant transferring as a PC, can I still sit the inspector’s exam?

If you apply to sit this when you are still a sergeant, you can take the exam. If you wait until you transfer, you will not be able to take this exam as a PC.

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What promotional prospects are there?

We have a large number of qualified officers and therefore the promotion process is extremely competitive. Transferees are eligible to apply for the promotion process at the time of advertisement. Please note that we will require proof of OSPRE results in order for you to enter into promotion boards within this Force.

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I am currently in a specialist police role. Can I transfer directly into a similar role?

We are not currently recruiting for specialist roles however please register your skills and experience on our database.

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Will my existing qualifications and examinations be honoured?

Any national qualifications (e.g. Ospre) will be recognised once you have supplied evidence of your result. Other qualifications will be looked at and countersigned if the skill / qualification is equal to our standards. In some cases, the skill may need to be reassessed, for example: driving.

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What happens with my pension?

Your pension will get transferred from your current force once you start.

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What will my salary scale be, and when will I get paid?

Officers in this Force are paid in accordance with national pay scales. Salaries are paid directly into officer’s bank or building society account on the 15th of each month.

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Are removal expenses payable?

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary do not pay any removal expenses.

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How much annual leave am I entitled to?

Any current or previous service is recognised for annual leave purposes and you will receive a pro-rata entitlement upon transfer.
You will be required to take all your current entitlement in your current force as it will not be possible to transfer outstanding leave. Additionally, time owed in lieu cannot be transferred over.
Every effort will be made to honour any pre-booked holiday/time off arrangements although this ultimately will be at the discretion of your supervisor.

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Is there a fitness test?

All applicants will be required to attend a medical assessment and a physical fitness test on the day of their assessment.

The fitness test will consist of the following elements:

• Endurance fitness shuttle run (bleep test) up to level 5/4.
• Dynamic strength test - push 34kgs; pull 35kgs.

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If I fail the fitness test, how long must I wait before re-applying?

Generally speaking, we will invite you to retake the job related fitness test within six weeks of the fail date. However, this will differ with some specialist roles, for example: ARV Officer.

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What kind of training / induction can I expect?

Your first two weeks will be spent with the Training Department. Your induction will include an  introduction to the Force, officer safety training, IT and Airwave familiarisation and training in driving standards.

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Will I be able to keep my rent / housing allowance?

For those officers who currently receive housing or rent allowance in their existing force, an equivalent allowance will be paid. The maximum amounts are £262.03 housing allowance or £335.22 rent allowance.

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I am on a career break with my current force, can I still apply to transfer?

Unfortunately this is not possible. To be eligible to transfer you must have returned to and be working for your original force.

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I am currently off sick from my force. Can I apply to transfer?

We would be happy to place your details on the relevant database but in order to apply you must be fully signed back to work.

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I have tattoos, will I be accepted?

Any tattoos which could cause offence to any person will exclude you from applying but all applicants will be assessed on an individual basis.

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