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Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Specialist Crime
Grade - Surrey Police Grade F / Sussex Police Grade 9
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - See Advert
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - Yes
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford

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. 

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Forensic Recovery Unit within Surrey and Sussex Police Forensic Investigations.

In this role, you will be working as part of a team to deliver the provision of a specialist enhancement, DNA recovery and blood screening service to Surrey and Sussex Police to support the investigation and detection of crime.

To succeed in this role you will be someone who can work independently and as part of a team. Key responsibilities include:

 

  • Responsible for the security and integrity of exhibits submitted to the Forensic Recovery Unit and the maintenance of accurate records to ensure the continuity.
  • Co-ordinating the effective and efficient use of all the processes available within the approved Home Office and Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Fingermark Visualisation Manual (FVM) and DSTL Fingerprint Source book and assessing the potential for fingerprint development processes.
  • Responsible for assessing the quality of all friction ridge detail and footwear marks observed or developed, the labelling process, photography of marks and accurately documenting findings.
  • To be responsible for conducting the forensic screening and examination of exhibits held within the Forensic Recovery Unit, inclusive of DNA recovery and other forensic trace evidence types.
  • Attend crime scenes when required
  • Use advanced imaging skills to create visual evidential records of forensic exhibits, friction ridge detail, footwear marks and other trace evidence encountered during examinations.
  • Provide advice and guidance to Investigating Officers concerning laboratory submission processes to ensure that acceptable standards are maintained and the most effective use of resources is achieved and to manage their expectations around forensic examinations and any associated cost implications.
  • Provide advice and guidance to other Forensic Investigations Units concerning laboratory submissions, to ensure acceptable standards are maintained, the most effective use of resources achieved and manage their expectations around forensic examinations.
  • To update computerised systems with details of examinations, forensic intelligence and statistical data.
  • Provide expert guidance and assist in mentoring other Forensic Investigations staff. If required, carry out forensic awareness training / presentations to other colleagues to increase knowledge of Forensic Investigations services and procedures.
  • To work within and comply with the appropriate auditory measures required to maintain ISO accreditation standards.
  • Provide statements of evidence for use in court proceedings and, when requested, attend court and give evidence as a specialist/ expert forensic practitioner.
  • and Standard Operating Procedures and assist the Team Leaders with actions and findings raised during internal and external audits.
  • Undertake projects and research as directed by Team Leaders.

Skills & Experience

 

The post holder must:

  • Be educated to degree level or have substantial recent evidence of competent performance in a directly relevant equivalent role.
  • Be able to work without supervision and be methodical, patient and thorough. To be able to plan a daily work schedule with the capacity of adapting to unforeseen situations, having the ability to resolve problems and meeting changing demands and priorities.
  • Have excellent negotiating and influencing skills together with a sound knowledge of cost implications and proportionality relating to forensic investigations when working with investigating officers.
  • Have knowledge of the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice and possess an understanding of ISO 17025 and associated guidance material. 
  • Be able to demonstrate a proven ability to form strong working relationships and be able to build an effective rapport with colleagues, working and contributing effectively as part of a team.
  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written and be able to demonstrate IT competency specifically with regard to Outlook, Word and Excel, in order to effectively support and give advice on Forensic Investigation matters.
  • Be resilient and be able to cope with traumatic and disturbing crime scenes and police related incidents.
  • Have evidence of delivering excellent customer service, contributing towards the overall aims and values of the organisation.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

  • career progression - progression from F grade (£28,062 - £32,227) to G grade (£34,086 - £36,026) upon demonstration of competence in key accountabilities. 
  • contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
  • generous annual leave allowance
  • discounts for everyday spend
  • on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
  • generous and supportive parental leave
  • financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
  • discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police

Further Information

 

  • 36 per week on a rotating shift pattern, comprising of weekday shifts covering 0800-2000 (not including public holidays) and on-call shifts 09:00-18:00 on selected weekends.

  • We are open to discussing part-time work for this role.
  • The post holder will be required to wear a Police Staff uniform and comply with the dress code as appropriate to the Force employer.
  • Requirement to travel to other locations including police premises and training courses
  • Due to the specialist operational nature of this role, post holders must provide finger/palm prints and a DNA sample for elimination purposes.
  • It is essential that following internal training/mentoring, post holders will be able to fulfil the key accountabilities, work independently and provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating full competence in all aspects of the laboratory role.
  • Due to the time critical nature of specialised operational posts, post holders are required to be in a position to demonstrate considerable flexibility in terms of working time.
  • The role may require some manual handling. The post holder must have the ability to undertake relatively physically demanding work under a variety of circumstances and situations.

 

For more information on this vacancy, please contact the Forensic Recovery Unit Team Leaders:

  • Jane Greenbank (jane.greenbank@surrey.police.uk)
  • Niamh McEnery-Cartwright (niamh.mcenery-cartwright1@surrey.police.uk)

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's 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 the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to 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 Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

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 belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

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 successful 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.