Overview
To achieve positive operational outcomes through creative, collaborative and innovative communications and engagement, ensuring communities, partners and our workforce have trust, satisfaction and confidence in West Midlands Police. Provide an effective 24/7 service to respond to major incidents, and deliver hyper‑targeted, localised communications and engagement that build trust, satisfaction and confidence.
Responsibilities
* Producing creative, engaging and innovative content, both written and digital, for all the force’s communication channels on a proactive and reactive basis.
* Identifying new and emerging opportunities and trends to engage externally.
* Monitoring media and social channels, assessing risk and opportunities, and evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches.
* Helping to embed the force’s brand and identity through all communications externally.
* Supporting senior spokespeople in media opportunities.
* Tracking sentiment to identify shifts in coverage tone and providing early warning of emerging issues and trends.
* Being thematic lead/SPOC for identified organisational priorities and areas of focus, including geographic Local Policing Areas.
* Organising and attending meetings and events when required, and on occasion working outside normal hours if needed.
* Producing high‑quality communications plans that include key products such as internal messaging and plans, stakeholder mapping, press notices, potential risks, core scripts/briefing, technical journalist briefings and Q&A packs.
* Carrying out other duties consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of this role.
* Developing and maintaining effective relationships with media organisations, influencers and key internal and external stakeholders, seeking opportunities and managing risk and reputational threat to the organisation.
* Engaging with journalists proactively, briefing to shape and contextualise stories, and preventing or correcting inaccurate coverage.
* Coaching and developing staff, including social media training, video editing and filming.
* Representing the department at meetings and offering guidance and expert advice.
* Working in partnership with communications colleagues to ensure consistent, creative, strategic external communications across channels and audiences.
* Viewing and assessing sensitive material for external release, seeking professional ways to present information that is accessible and informative.
* Establishing effective monitoring and evaluation processes and using them to assess risk and opportunities and evaluate effectiveness.
A full detailed list of role responsibilities and competencies required for this post is detailed within the role profile.
Behavioural & Accountability Standards
Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This ensures that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique position entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour we are required to uphold.
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, including a full background and financial disclosure.
Medical
Appointment to this role will depend upon successful medical checks, which may include a drug test and hearing test.
Interviews
Interview details to be confirmed.
Disability & Inclusion
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader. All candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. In some situations, the employer may limit the number of interviews offered to both disabled and non‑disabled applicants, selecting those who best meet the essential criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion Vision
“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.”
About Us
West Midlands Police is the second‑largest police force in the country, serving Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull and Dudley. We handle more than 2,000 emergency calls each day, patrol the streets and respond to incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have made significant improvements in reducing crime, improving call response times and increasing arrest rates. This work can only continue with the right people; as an employer of choice, we are looking for the right people to serve and protect our communities.
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