Information about the role of a licensing officer, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
- Please note: the licensing officer profile is currently under review
A licensing officer is a crime reduction position within the community policing sector. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
Licensing Officers provide a specialist response to all licensable statutory duties (excluding firearms). This includes, but is not limited to:
- on and off-licences
- operating
- late night refreshments
- alcohol
- gambling
- entertainment (including sexual)
- scrap metal
- any other local licences
They proactively work in partnership to prevent and respond to breaches in licensing that could lead to crime and disorder and/or harm to members of the public.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Assessing and processing licensing applications and notices against relevant licensing legislation and licensing objectives to prevent and reduce crime and associated demand, and initiating criminal justice proceedings.
- Conducting structured visits at licensed premises and managing hotspots to ensure adherence to licensing legislation.
- Responding to incidents and complaints that breach licensing legislation or fail to support one or more licensing objective to reduce crime and uphold public safety.
- Providing advice and/or evidence to restrict operation or close a licensed premises in an emergency situation to minimise the impact and risk of harm to police officers and members of the public.
- Maintaining comprehensive, accurate records of activities and outcomes and produce reports as required to support decision making and analysis of lessons learned.
- Contributing to investigations by gathering evidence and building casefiles for prosecution or representation at tribunals and court hearings to ensure accurate evidence is submitted and investigations can proceed promptly and effectively.
- Supporting colleagues within the force and key partners by providing specialist and tactical advice for all licensing matters (excluding firearms) to share knowledge, lessons learnt and good practice.
- Developing and building relationships with key stakeholders to promote compliance and, where necessary, joint enforcement activities and events to uphold licensing and gambling objectives.
- Providing a force licensing input at problem solving groups and forums to resolve issues identified and share good practice.
- Engaging in local partnership schemes and consultations related to licensing matters to contribute to force effectiveness in preventing crime.
- Engaging in wider policing activities that impact on the licensing of premises, for example, counter terrorism considerations to minimise risk of harm.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
In-role education, qualifications and experience
- Licensing Officers are expected to successfully complete the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) approved level 4 certificate in police alcohol licensing officer (PALO) national vocational qualification (NVQ). Ideally this should be completed within 8 months of starting the role or commencing the NVQ.
- Knowledge of local high crime risk areas and the nature of the licensed premises in those environments.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
- Complete all annual and mandatory training including NPCC approved training and events.
- Complete NPCC mandated professional development in accordance with the nationally approved scheme.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- keeping up to date with relevant national guidance
- undertaking PALO CPD provided by the Police CPI
- keeping up to date with Licensing and Gambling legislation and other associated statutory legislative requirements applicable to the role
Related roles
You can find other service deliverer roles in the: