Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Criminal Justice
Grade - Grade D
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £24,075 - £27,303
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
The Role
Working as part of a small cadre of Custody Support Assistants, across the Surrey Custody estate, to provide high quality administrative support to the Custody Support Sergeant and/or Custody Inspector to ensure the effective, efficient and safe operation of the Custody Centre. This will include responsibility for administering the Custody digital CCTV system and processing PACE interview media.
There is a requirement to wear the relevant police staff uniform for this post.
Key Responsibilities
General administration support: typing and/or updating of reports, etc. and administration to the custody management team as directed. Conducting stock takes, placing orders; administering petty cash. Dealing with post/deliveries received. Occasional representation at meetings to represent the department and feeding back to management or colleagues as appropriate.
Audio & Video Records: responsible for the administration of all audio and video recordings, including both physical and server-based media, relating to interviews maintaining accurate records to ensure their evidential integrity and continuity of evidence, handling in accordance with legal requirements. Responsible for administering the provision of copies of audio/video recordings for transcription purposes.
Custody Records: to prepare and where applicable supply documentation relating to custody detentions to the Defence, CPS or other internal personnel in accordance with force policy and legal frameworks.
Advanced disclosure & responding to requests for information: upon request from the Defence, to prepare advanced disclosure of Custody Records, interview recording media in compliance with legislation. To support in gathering and supplying relevant information to the Information Management Team in relation to Freedom of Information/Subject Access requests in accordance with legislation and force policy. To respond to correspondence received at the Custody Centre demonstrating a customer focussed approach when processing requests for information and ensuring compliance with force policy and legal frameworks.
CCTV: to administer and maintain the integrity of the custody digital CCTV system including conducting daily checks to ensure the system’s operational capabilities; to maintain service records; reporting of any service issues to Estates and tracking progress through to resolution; providing management reports where necessary. On receipt of authorised requests, to produce master and working copies of digital CCTV recordings on to either hard copy media or uploading to server based applications and complete appropriate records for continuity purposes and/or witness statements exhibiting the recording in support of the criminal justice process.
Digital Interview Recordings (DIR): to support with the administration of the DIR equipment and producing management reports as required.
Archiving: to maintain the custody centre archives of all recordings, including both physical and server-based media; ensuring accurate completion of audits and documentation for continuity purposes. Responsibility for disposal and management of physical and server-based media in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MOPI).
Administering payments: Responsibility for ensuring correct payment is received from Defence representatives for chargeable services including taking receipt of monies and arranging return to the Shared Business Service Centre.
Updating Case Files: To update the defence with case file URNs to support the efficient and effective processing of cases at court, communicating via telephone or email.
Advice and support: To coach authorised custody personnel in the use of the Custody digital CCTV system for operational purposes. To forward ACRO checks on to the officer in case on receipt to the custody centre. To explain use of DIR equipment and assist in resolving issues encountered by investigations officers when using the DIR equipment escalating to the service provider as appropriate.
Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser graded post.
Skills & Experience
Essential Criteria:
GCSE English Grade C/4 (standard pass) or above including English language or equivalent qualification.
Demonstrable experience of general administrative and office duties and using computers for administrative work.
The possession of good keyboard / typing skills is essential.
Demonstrable experience in using digital media, on-line platforms and cloud based applications. Previous experience in using Microsoft Office applications.
To have good written and oral communication skills, in order to extract and give information in a clear and calm manner. Ability to produce clear, legible, concise and accurate written records, letters and reports.
The post holder should demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative.
The post holder must demonstrate that they are able to prioritise and to work methodically and calmly when dealing with a high workload and a range of issues.
Attention to detail and accuracy are essential in order to comply with legislation and Force policies.
Previous experience of accessing server-based media and interrogating databases including searching, input and editing.
Experience of a customer service focussed approach to dealing with enquiries.
Has knowledge of legal and evidential requirements to comply with Crown Prosecution Service and Courts. Ability to acquire a working knowledge of the criminal law and police powers & procedures in order to fully comprehend their role within the criminal justice system.
Awareness of the Management of Police Information (MOPI) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) would be an advantage.
To be able to obtain a good understanding of the evidence gathering process and the need for continuity of evidence.
Familiarity with filing systems and basic administration would be an advantage.
The post holder will be expected to complete and maintain a training package for the Custody Digital CCTV system. The post holder will be expected to coach authorised Custody personnel in basic use of the CCTV system for operational purposes in the custody centre.
Further Information
Full training will be provided to the successful candidate.
A full driving license and access to own vehicle is a must.
Working in support of the operational Custody teams within the Criminal Justice and Custody Department, you will have regular contact with the Custody Support Sergeants, one of whom will be your designated line manager and Custody Inspectors. Additionally, other Custody Sergeants and Detention Officers, other Custody Support Assistants and other Surrey Police officers and staff from a range of departments within the organisation. You will also have regular contact with defence lawyers and legal advisors; the Crown Prosecution Service; officers/investigative staff based within other territorial police forces and/or law enforcement agencies; and contract engineers relating to the maintenance and operation of the Custody Digital CCTV system. The post holder does not hold any line management responsibilities for other staff and does not need to persuade, influence or motivate others, other than to an extent to undertake and complete their duties professionally, efficiently and effectively.
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally.
If the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is success it will result in a transfer of employment
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self-employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.