People thinking of becoming a police constable can be sure of one thing - their career will never be dull.

Sussex Police are confident they can recruit 350 officers before April next year, boosting its fulltime numbers to 3,140.

The force employs 3,100 officers but the recruits will cover those retiring or moving to other areas and allow for an extra 40 officers.

The police are also hoping to fill 13 administrative positions to get the officers doing those jobs back on the streets.

Richard Horner, head of pay and resources, said: "I think the key things to being a police officer is the amount of discretion a police constable has and the variety - no two days are the same.

"They are able to undertake a pretty varied role within the public sector and within their own community. It's an important job and there are definite career paths.

"There is the opportunity for people to fast track and that scheme is open to anyone."

People who are successful in applying can expect to start on a basic salary of £20,000 and they can also get South-East job weighting, which is more than £1,000 extra a year. New officers are entitled to 25 days holiday a year.

The work is shift based but is generally about 40 hours a week, although constables and sergeants get paid overtime. There are also enhanced rates of pay for working bank holidays and on scheduled days off.

Mr Horner said: "We offer an attractive contributory pension scheme and we are working on benefits for housing and travel.

"We also have the Police Federation, which can provide good health insurance cover and is very supportive."

Successful applicants will take part in a ten-week course in Kent before hitting the streets. They will be on probation for two years, when they will undergo further training and be monitored by a tutor.

Mr Horner said: "Our intention is to look at people early on and identify whether they have any particular skills.

"In particular we look at those people who feel they have a future in detective work and give them specific training. But there are openings for all sorts, including those who want to be dog handlers or high speed traffic drivers."

The force is keen to recruit more female and ethnic officers and will try get the right work-life balance for people who have childcare needs.

He said they were happy to accept applications from older people - one recent recruit joined aged 48.

He said: "We have about 130 officers working part-time, primarily to reflect childcare. We are flexible on that."

For more information, call Kirsty on 01273 404151 or log on to www.sussex.police.uk
Thursday April 17 2003