Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Professional Standards Department
Grade - Grade H
Status - Full Time and Part Time Available
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £31,780 - £37,969
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
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
PSD are excited to announce that we have a number of vacancies for an Investigating Officer to join our team. The team are responsible for investigating complaints, allegations of conduct and any related criminal allegations against officers, staff and contractors.
The role involves managing a workload, overseen by a Detective Sergeant, and complying with Police Regulations and Police Staff disciplinary procedures. The role involves working closely with other departments in the force in both the investigation element of the role but also in managing officer and staff welfare and ensuring appropriate updates are given to those involved.
Close working relationships are also key with both the Police Federation and Unison and therefore good communication skills are required.
The role in PSD is flexible but the successful candidate will be required to join the on-call cadre once training has been received.
The role
1.1 To work as part of the investigation team within the Professional Standards Department (PSD). To investigate complaints, internal misconduct enquiries and any related criminal investigations made against police officers, police staff, special constables and contractors
1.2 To provide advice and guidance, as appropriate to members of Surrey Police and the public regarding complaints and misconduct investigations procedures. 1.3 To review public complaints and make decisions as to how to progress 1.4 To act with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness at all time, and practice an open style of behaviour that is consistent with business needs, in order to encourage an environment of commitment and trust.
Key Responsibilities
2.1 To act, as an individual investigator or as part of a team, in conducting investigations into allegations of conduct or criminal behaviour involving members of Surrey Police, and to support such investigations by identifying and disseminating issues of development and learning. Note: Occasionally you may be asked to be part of an external investigation team looking at a case in another police area.
2.2 To manage the investigation of complaints and conduct taking part in the investigation as required made against police staff and where appropriate police officers, special constables and contractors.
2. 3. To manage the preparation of misconduct meetings and gross misconduct hearings and tribunal reviews, ensuring that they are carried out to a high standard, and to act as presenting officer at misconduct meetings for officers and gross misconduct hearings for police staff.
2.4 To take responsibility for ensuring that the stringent guidelines set for misconduct and gross misconduct processes are met and the case presented for hearing within the prescribed time scales.
2.5 To represent the force at external Employment Tribunals where appropriate
2.6 To effectively manage a dynamic workload reviewing and reprioritising work in conjunction with departmental priorities.
2.7 To take responsibility for enquiries to gather evidence and take statements from witnesses and complainants. This may include collation of various documents/items as exhibits relevant to the investigation. To ensure that all of the available evidence is secured and that investigations are timely.
2.8 To advise members of the public and other officers / police staff who telephone the Department, helping to resolve issues raised by taking the appropriate course of action.
2.9 To share in the on call rota duties - 1600 to 0800 weekdays, 24/7 on weekends and bank holidays.
2.10 In appropriate cases, prepare reports, letters and memoranda to the Deputy Chief Constable, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Independent Office for Police Conduct. To ensure, that agreed deadlines are met.
2.11 Where appropriate, to prepare all documentation for the process of misconduct meetings and gross misconduct hearings. Liaise with administrative support within PSD to ensure that the facilities for meetings/hearings are appropriate, all required attendees aware and be present at meeting/hearing.
2.12 To maintain liaison and good working relations with Surrey Police departments and divisions, including those who can assist in the feedback and dissemination of best practice.
2.13 To assist within the department by taking telephone calls, interrogate computer information thereby contributing to the quality of service delivered and the overall efficiency of the department. Also to assist other colleagues with enquiries they may have, for instance, fast time incidents, sensitive or demanding investigations.
2.14 To assist in assessing and reviewing new complaints and liaising with Detective Sergeants to ensure expeditious progression and compliance with Police Regulations (use of Service Recovery, Logging, Recording, Practice Requiring Improvement or Investigation).
2.15 Undertake other duties appropriate to the rank and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lower ranked post
2.16 To understand the appropriate application of Designated Powers (please see job profile) when assisting in investigations.
Skills & Experience
It is essential that the post holder:
3.1 Has proven and well evidenced experience in an investigative role in a post that required collecting and collating evidence, including statement taking, and also organising large quantities of information into a logical well presented format.
3.2 Possesses a sound knowledge of criminal investigation techniques and has demonstrated an ability to use them.
3.3 A good working knowledge of, or the ability to gain a good working knowledge of, the designated powers.
3.4 Possesses a sound knowledge of current criminal law, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, Human Rights Act, and Investigative procedures.
3.5 Possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has the ability to work closely with and respect the needs of people at all levels in the organisation.
3.6 Possesses excellent communication skills both oral and written in order to produce clear, concise, accurate and logical reports and presentations.
3. 7. Possesses an enquiring mind and is able to demonstrate the strength of character required to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
3.8 Is computer literate, and has experience of Microsoft Products, and the ability to learn the use of the various systems in use throughout the force.
3.9 Is able to analyse, assess and make decisions from large volumes of written and electronic information.
3.10 Has responsibility for working unsupervised or as part of a team, work under pressure and to meet deadlines set for gross misconduct and Employment Tribunals. Have a methodical approach to work.
3.11 Holds a full and valid driving licence for motor cars.
3.12 Has a flexible positive attitude to changing priorities and deadlines with an ability to adapt and manage change at short notice and having the skill to deal with several issues at once. To manage a workload ensuring all investigations are progressed in an appropriate and timely manner.
3.13 Possesses a high level of integrity, diplomacy, tact and confidentiality given the sensitive nature of the issues dealt with in the department.
3.14 Has an excellent knowledge of equality and diversity issues in the working environment.
3.15 Has an understanding of data protection issues in order to ensure that information is handled correctly.
It is desirable that the postholder:
3.16 Possesses a sound knowledge of Police Regulations
3.17 Has achieved PIP Level One accreditation or is working towards accreditation at that level or equivalent.
3.18 Has knowledge of the Police complaints process
3.19 Possesses a sound knowledge of Police Staff discipline, grievance procedure and associated employment law.
Further Information
For further information about this role please contact DS Mike Seear, mike.seear@surrey.pnn.police.uk or DS Simon Minshull, simon.minshull@surrey.pnn.police.uk
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.
If you are an internal candidate looking to apply for this role, please ensure that you discuss your application with your line manager before submitting an application. If you are conditionally offered the role your attendance record and any reasonable adjustments already in place will be discussed with yourself and your current line manager.
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.
Applications will only be accepted by clicking the 'Apply Now' button. CVs are not accepted as part of our recruitment process.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important to us that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we believe that as an organisation we'll benefit from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity can bring; all of which helps us to deliver a better policing service.
We have worked really hard to create a safe, open and inclusive culture. We have a range of staff networking groups to provide specific support and advice and we are proud to be members of Stonewall and Disability Confident, and to be aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities so, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.
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