New recruits for police control room

The force control room (FCR) has been struck recently by a number of problems - including systems failure and staffing issues - which have led to some non-emergency calls not being answered, or facing lengthy delays.

Applications are open from next week, and police said they want to hire 20 new members of staff for the FCR.

However, any successful applicant “will be placed on a holding list to fill vacancies as they become available during 2018”, with training not expected to take place until the New Year, the force said.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the recruitment was not intended to immediately improve the situation in the FCR.

She said: “We have new starters training in the control room as we speak and another new intake due to start in October. They were recruited earlier this year.

“We are set to recruit more staff from 21 August who will begin their training in the New Year to fill anticipated vacancies throughout 2018. It takes time to recruit staff. After going through the application and interview process, they have to be vetted - including financial checks - go through medicals, be tested for drugs, be fitted for uniforms, all before they can start their training.”

The Press understands the next batch of recruits this month will begin training in January, and another recruitment appeal will take place later this year.

Councillor Ashley Mason, who has previously spoken out about ongoing problems with the FCR, said: “We don’t just want to be replacing like for like, but increasing numbers to deal with increased number of calls they are facing. That’s not resolving the problem, we want to see improvement in answering calls, the money needs to be found within the budgets to accommodate that.”

Open evenings to help potential applicants find out more about the role will be held at Fulford Road police station, with the first on August 22 from 6pm. To find out more, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/jobs/force-control-room.