Transferee and Re-Joiner Police Constables - Bristol - Operational Support Unit (OSU)

Start Your Journey with the British Transport Police (BTP)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Police Constable to join the Operational Support Unit (OSU) team in Bristol.

The successful candidate will provide specialist operational support across a range of public order and search operations. Officers within the OSU play a vital role in protecting communities, supporting major investigations, and responding to complex operational incidents.

Successful applicants will be trained and accredited to Level 2 Public Order standards and as a Licensed Search Officer (LSO), enabling them to conduct lawful and systematic searches in support of crime investigations, counter-terrorism activity, and public safety operations. This role requires high levels of professionalism, discipline, teamwork, and situational awareness in dynamic and often high-risk environments.

Officers will be required to obtain:

A Level 2 Public Order qualification

Licensed Search Officer (LSO) accreditation

At least one additional OSU competency

Whilst the role primarily supports operations locally, officers may also be deployed across the Force area, occasionally supporting operations nationally where required.

Key Responsibilities

Deploy as part of a Police Support Unit (PSU) in response to both spontaneous and pre-planned public order incidents.

Maintain public safety and uphold the law during protests, sporting events, demonstrations, and disorder situations.

Conduct lawful searches of premises, vehicles, open areas, and individuals using statutory powers and search warrants.

Apply recognised search methodologies in line with National Search Centre standards.

Support major crime investigations, counter-terrorism operations, and missing person enquiries.

Assess crowd dynamics and utilise appropriate tactics to prevent or de-escalate disorder.

Maintain evidential integrity and continuity throughout search operations.

Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver effective operational outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be considered for this role, applicants must meet the initial eligibility requirements below. By submitting an application, you are self-certifying that you meet this criteria.

Applicants must be a current or former officer from a Home Office Police Force, Police Scotland, or PSNI

Transferees must be substantive in rank of Constable and have completed probation

Re-joiners must apply within 5 years of leaving and have been substantive in rank

Must be operationally deployable.

Not subject to stage 2 or above sickness proceedings

No live misconduct warnings or performance issues

Cannot be under current investigation by another force

Must have lived in the UK for the past 3 consecutive years

No active CCJs, unmanaged IVAs, or bankruptcy

We do not accept applications from those dismissed from another force

We do not accept applications if you have been declined vetting at another Force within 2 years.

Want to Learn More?

Explore our On Patrol shadowing scheme to get a first-hand feel for the role, or email us at recruitmentteam@btp.police.uk with any questions.

You’ve already made a difference. Come do it again, with a team that values every part of who you are - Apply now and help us keep Britain moving safely.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building a workforce where everyone feels they belong.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. Diversity strengthens our teams, improves our services and helps us better represent and support the communities we serve.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and strive to create a workplace that is fair, respectful and accessible to all. We actively work to challenge discrimination, remove barriers and ensure equity throughout our recruitment and employment practices.

If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment or selection process, please let us know - we are happy to support you. Your talent, your potential, and your unique perspective matter here.

Use of AI

AI can be a useful tool to spark ideas or help you organise your thoughts, but when it comes to your application, we want to hear from you, not an algorithm. What truly stands out to us are genuine stories, personal insights and the experiences that have shaped who you are. Authenticity matters - it helps us understand your motivations, your strengths and how you’ll contribute to our team. So, use AI if it helps you get started, but let your own voice lead the way.