Date Posted: 19-Apr-2007

Transferring

A successful transfer
PC Mike Caseman transferred from Thames Valley Police to Northamptonshire Police several years ago. He is a member of the HQ Core Skill’s Training Team at his new force and runs a course for officers transferring to it. Here he answers some common questions about the process.

How do I go about organising a transfer to another force?
You can transfer to another force in one of two ways. First, forces will often advertise in the police press for officers from other forces to apply for specific vacancies. Second, you can contact the human resources department of the force you want to transfer to and register your interest.

What happens then?
You will then be sent an application form and, depending on individual force policy, may be required to undergo a medical and interview. Make sure you take the name and number of the person you are dealing with at the force to ensure you have a point of contact as this can often speed up the process.

Do I need to notify my current force?
Yes you do. It is important to stay on good terms with your current force in case you decide that the move was not for you and you want to come back. Speak to your line manager and inform him or her that you have applied for a transfer.

This will depend on your individual circumstances and where you decide you want to transfer to. You need to bear in mind that not every force might be accepting transfers at the time, so you might need to consider an alternative force.

Other important aspects are length of service and pension rights. Some forces will not take officers who have a long length of service, but this varies from force to force. You also need to check with the force you are transferring to that it is willing to take on your pension and that your entitlements will not be adversely affected by the move.

It is also worth considering what additional benefits forces offer and how you could make the most of these. For example, officers in Surrey Police can take advantage of a number of benefits including a flexible mortgage and home rental scheme, motor insurance subsidy and free targeted health treatment.

Forces in London and the South East also offer additional benefits to take into account the cost of living and working in the area. However, you need to remember that house prices and living costs in these areas are likely to be higher than elsewhere.

What can I do to prepare myself for the transfer? You need to invest some time in finding out about the force you are transferring to, its individual ethos and policing style and if you fit into this model. It is also wise to get to know the force area and its crime problems and issues in order to make your transfer as straightforward as possible.

How long does the transfer process take? Again, this varies from force to force and whether or not the force you want to transfer to has vacancies at the time. This is something you need to discuss with the human resources department as they will give you more of an idea.

What do I do if the transfer does not work out? If things do not work out then you could always contact your original force and apply to move back. The majority of forces are happy to take people back as they do not want to lose experienced officers. Again, you need to check individual force policy.

Compiled by Carol Jenkins