Communications Operator - July 2025
Our Force Control room based in St Asaph is where our Communications Operators answer 999 calls and non-emergency 101 calls, as well as sending police officers to incidents across North Wales. Our operators are hard at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year keeping North Wales safe.
The role of a North Wales Police Communications Operator, is one of the most rewarding and varied roles you are ever likely to have. This rewarding career offers an opportunity to play a pivotal role in the force and join a unique profession where you can really make a difference and take a great sense of pride in doing so. No two days are the same for our Communication Operators, one minute you could be taking the details of a missing person and the next you could be sending officers to reports of a robbery in progress.
Initial investigation - you will be trained to ask initial questions to establish the risk/severity and if there are any lines of enquiry or investigation such as evidence, or forensic opportunities. You will manage expectations of the reporting person providing crime reduction advice and reassurance.
Partners - you will work with other emergency services and partner agencies, supporting the work they do and arranging for police involvement where this is needed.
Advice - many of the non-emergency calls received are resolved by our communication operators. This could be through offering advice or signposting members of public to more appropriate agencies when it is not a matter dealt with by the police. With each contact you will be managing expectations advising what police can and cannot do.
Recording intelligence - from information given by our communities you'll be identifying and recording information to share with other parts of the organisation, to inform our future policing operations.
Service delivery - you will be part of a professional team who deliver a good service by being focused and alert to deal with whatever the next call could bring and dealing with sometimes constant calls to a professional standard.
Shift Patterns
You will be part of a shift rota, pre-planned for 32 weeks in advance if you are full time worker and pre-planned 64 weeks in advance if you are a part time worker, providing you with ample time to pre-plan your calendar to fit in your personal life alongside your profession.
The core shift pattern is 4 on, 4 off (10,11 and 12 hour shifts, 2 days followed by 2 nights).
Example shift pattern;
| Day | Shift Pattern |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7am - 7pm |
| 2 | 7am - 7pm |
| 3 | 7pm - 7am |
| 4 | 7pm - 7am |
| 5 | Rest Day |
| 6 | Rest Day |
| 7 | Rest Day |
| 8 | Rest Day |
times and shifts will vary
For the first 6 weeks within the role, you will undertake full time training from Monday to Friday in either St Asaph or Force HQ in Colwyn Bay, to ensure you are fully confident in undertaking this unique position.
To be considered for the role you will need to evidence in your application;
- You have an NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification, in Communication/Business/Customer related field, or an equivalent amount of proven relevant experience.
- You can type around 25 - 30wpm.
- You have good communication skills together with the ability to work well in a team environment or on your own initiative.
- You are computer literate to an intermediate level together with windows systems and/or relevant experience.
- You have the ability to evidence problem solving skills.
- You have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- You have good geographical knowledge of North Wales.
North Wales Police are a bilingual organisation and for this role, you’ll need to demonstrate a minimum of level 4 Welsh skills. You can find out more by visiting our Welsh Language Resources Page.
Please familiarise yourself with the Post Profile and the Police Staff Recruitment Information before you apply as this has information to help you with your application.