Abnormal Loads Officer - Police Staff

This newly established role within West Midlands Police is part of the Commercial Vehicle Team, situated within the Operations Department. The postholder will play a key role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of abnormal loads through the force area.

Due to increasing demand for education, enforcement, and support in the movement of abnormal loads, this role has become critical. High levels of non-compliance with legislation and the Road Traffic Act among operators and hauliers have necessitated greater coordination and oversight. Notifications of abnormal load movements have surged from 8,000 per month in 2023 to over 15,000 monthly notifications today.

Although West Midlands Police does not routinely escort abnormal loads, escorts may be provided for exceptionally large loads or when specific routes pose increased risks to public safety. The postholder will be responsible for planning and coordinating these movements, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Process notifications and movement orders for abnormal loads, dispensations, and other special movements on public highways.
Plan and coordinate police escorts for loads that pose exceptional risks or require specialist support.
Liaise with operators, hauliers, and relevant authorities to ensure the safe and legal movement of abnormal loads through the force area.
Oversee the planning of escorting arrangements, including organising moves for officers working on overtime when necessary.
Monitor and manage non-compliance with the Road Traffic Act, providing educational guidance to operators where required.
Maintain up-to-date records of notifications and movements, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with legislation.

Essential Criteria

Proven organisational skills with the ability to effectively organise and prioritise workload and demands to meet deadlines.
Demonstrate excellent verbal communication and customer service skills, maintaining a clear professional approach with staff, officers, and partners at all levels.
Previous experience of providing administrative support and maintaining accurate records.
Ability to manage conflicting priorities.
Strong communication skills with evidence of effective participation in partner meetings.
Experience of working with key stakeholders and partner agencies.
Experience of working both within a team and on own initiative.
Experience of working to tight timescales, with strong organisational, coordination, and administrative skills.
Good numeracy, literacy, and keyboard skills.
Competency in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Forms, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
An understanding of compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Desirable Criteria

An understanding of the Special Types General Order and Construction and Use Regulations, particularly regarding the movement and notifications of abnormal loads and vehicles to the police and other notifiable parties.
Previous knowledge of abnormal load procedures and requirements.
Knowledge and use of mapping software such as Google Maps.
Good geographical knowledge of the West Midlands Police area and force boundaries.
Training in, and good knowledge of, current police systems such as Control Works, LEDS, and the National ANPR Service (NAS).

Required Training

Training will be provided on a one-to-one basis by the current team.
This will include the necessary knowledge of legislation to effectively manage incoming notifications and assess risks accordingly.
Continuous CPD (Continuing Professional Development) will be provided to the postholder on legislative changes.
Training courses in any of the "desirable criteria" listed above will be provided if the postholder is not already trained.

Probationary Policy:

Under the Probation Policy, if you are currently in your probation period, “during your probationary period you will not be permitted to apply for alternative police staff roles within the Force unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases, you would require the support of your line manager prior to applying for alternative roles, and if successful, your probationary period will start over.”- Policies - Probation Period (Police Staff) (wmpad.local)

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Hours: Full time, permanent

Location:  CMPG – Perry Barr

Contact: For further information regarding this role, please contact mitch.harvey@westmidlands.police.uk

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.  

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.  As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

“Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities”