Force denies wasting money over call for applicants to reapply

A Yorkshire police force has defended itself against claims it wasted public money by making job applicants repeat a recruitment process they had already passed.

Up to 80 candidates who had applied to become officers with West Yorkshire Police in September 2008 are understood to have had their applications frozen when budget cuts bit in 2010.

Now the force has invited them to compete for 40 new positions, but has told them they must reapply and complete assessments and fitness tests they have already passed to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One applicant told the Yorkshire Post: “For many of us, our work and personal circumstances have not changed. This is, of course, not cost effective and is a waste of public money.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the force had chosen to honour the applications of those who had been in the recruitment process when the guillotine fell, adding it could not understand why someone would “moan” about the opportunity.

She said: “We are now going back to those people and asking them if they wish to compete for the small number of jobs on offer.

“We intend to appoint 40 police officers this year to start, slowly, the replacement of the 500 plus who we have lost since 2010.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Since it is three and a half years since the previous candidates were assessed, we intend to put those people who are still interested in joining the force through their paces, alongside internal candidates who are being displaced from support staff roles.

“Given the limited opportunity available, we want to ensure only the very best get through, something we are sure the public would want too.”

General applications had not been invited for the roles, she added.

John Christopher, of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said he appreciated the frustration of candidates who had been left in limbo, but it was understandable for them to be asked to reapply as their personal circumstances may have changed.

He added: “I would imagine there would be a substantial cost, and would hope that the force would have weighed that up in looking at the best way to get best value for money.”