CONSTABLES need to make themselves aware of how competency assessments will affect their pay rises in the coming years.<\/p>\n
PCs approaching pay point four will have to undertake a competency assessment from January next year. Officially termed the \u201cAssessment and Recognition of Competence\u201d or ARC, the test is being introduced as a part of the College of Policing\u2019s Professional Development Programme.<\/span><\/p>\n The ARC \u2013 which the college says is designed to support the professionalisation of policing \u2013 is likely to be completed at the end of your third year in policing.<\/p>\n Karen Stephens, the Police Federation of England and Wales\u2019 lead on professional development, said: \u201cPrior to the ARC, unless an officer goes for promotion, there is nothing to say whether that officer is competent or not<\/p>\n \u201cInitially, the ARC was going to be a test that everyone would have to take but we [the PFEW] suggested it should be in line with Professional Development Reviews (PDRs).\u201d<\/p>\n The process requires that officers on the front line provide evidence of their performance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a good thing,\u201d Karen added. \u201cIf the officer, for whatever reason, is not deemed competent then support will be given to help that officer.\u201d<\/p>\n The ARC standards combine the new initial learning units which were introduced in April 2016, relevant constable personal qualities from the Police Professional framework, and the constable\u2019s own continuing professional development.<\/p>\n The aim is to deliver a consistently high level of service to the public and a recognised national standard for officers.<\/p>\n The College recommends, among others things, that all officers should have a fully documented PDR with objectives and have started to prepare evidence to be assessed as part of the ARC.<\/p>\n The process will eventually be rolled out to include all ranks up to and including chief superintendent, according to Police Magazine.<\/p>\n