Working at HMICFRS
Working at HMICFRS gives you an opportunity to make a real difference to the quality of local police and fire and rescue services and the lives of the general public.
We seek to attract the brightest new recruits to join our team. We employ staff in a wide range of jobs, from inspectors and IT specialists to data analysts and administrators, based in one of our three offices.
HMICFRS is a rewarding place to work. We set ourselves high standards, taking great pride in the quality of work we achieve and the opportunities we create for our staff.
For further information about jobs and vacancies, please see the current vacancies page.
What’s it like to work at HMICFRS?
Members of staff describe what they like about working at HMICFRS.
Wendy Williams, HM Inspector:
“I thoroughly enjoy working at HMICFRS. It is a great organisation but I suppose I would say that because I’m passionate about what it is that we do and what I like about the organisation, in particular, is the commitment and the professionalism of all of our staff. Everyone comes together and everyone works so hard to deliver the best possible quality inspections for the public.”
Carl Williams, Staff Officer to HM Chief Inspector:
“I think what is probably the best part is that I really genuinely feel that my knowledge and experience, having working in the police force, lends really well to the role. And I think I do the job quite well, I’m still here after nine months! I really enjoy being here. I quite like being in central London as well and the variety of the post.”
Ruth Allman, Assistant Portfolio Director — Fire and Rescue Service Inspections:
“What’s really interesting about the organisation is that you get to do all those different things, you get to see so many different parts of the business. If you want to be able to do that there are the opportunities to go and take part in other activities, to go out on inspection even if you’re not an inspection person primarily – to get involved in something from the start, right through to the end. You can see it in all dimensions which I think is a real strength for our organisation.”
Ed Henriet, Force Liaison Lead:
“What I like about working here is I’m given space and given trust. It’s made clear to me what the tasks are, what the ambition of the organisation is but then it’s down to me to enable that. We all come together at the same point when the report is at the right standard and we face challenge. And I enjoy the challenge but it’s that freedom to operate as I see the best way to do my job.”
Tamsin Morrall, Portfolio Support Officer — Fire and Rescue Service Inspections:
“So I only started at HMICFRS in January 2017 and within a year I was promoted to HEO [higher executive officer]. There is so much work you can get involved in: going out on inspections for instance. I went on an inspection of West Midlands Police last year and I’ll be going on another inspection for the fire and rescue services, going to Cambridgeshire. There is so much stuff you can get involved in if you want to. It’s been really good for that.”
Katherine Riley, Portfolio Director — Criminal Justice Joint Inspections and Protecting Vulnerable People Inspections:
“You know that whatever job you are doing here – and I have done a few jobs around here – that you are contributing to a higher purpose and that purpose is helping the police to improve and then to help keep victims safer or indeed to avoid them becoming victims in the first place. The people that work here – they are focused on the end mission of improving policing for the sake of the public. They are so committed to it, they go above and beyond and it’s a real privilege to work with them.”
Matt Parr, HM Inspector:
“We do stuff the public are interested in – just look at how much the police are in the news, look how much stuff there is in the papers about the police or indeed fire and rescue services these days, probably more so than ever at the moment. So we’re doing stuff that matters to the public and working in something that the public find interesting always puts, I think, a slight spring in your step when you come to work.”
Recruitment process
If you are successful at interview you will be required to undertake pre-employment security checks.
You will be sent a security questionnaire which must be accessed within 24 hours and completed within 72 hours.
Please note, these checks can take up to 10 weeks (or possibly longer if you have lived abroad or travelled extensively).
You will only be offered a start date after the checks have been completed. If the outcome of these checks is not satisfactory, your recommendation for employment will be withdrawn.
Errors can lead to significant delays in gaining security clearance and will delay the agreed start date. Therefore, please make sure you read the instructions carefully and give all the information required.