Vacancy Information
Division / Department - Public Protection
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Rank - Police Constable
Location - Forcewide
In line with the published Posting and Tenure guidance, operational requirements will always be considered prior to confirming posting dates to successful applicants.
The Role
Sexual Offence Liaison Officers (SOLO’s)
The SOLO’s are based within the Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) at HQ.
SOIT is a specialist investigation unit entrusted by the public to care for our survivors and undertake effective investigations of Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) cases. Where supported by the evidence we will successfully prosecute these most serious and complex of cases to seek justice and protect the public.
An opportunity has arisen for Police Constables to become SOLO’s. The role of the SOLO is to deliver the highest standard of victim care and to achieve the best possible evidence from them. Working within a dedicated Sexual Offences Investigation Team, you will be deployed alongside other SOLO’s and investigators to support victims of serious sexual offences. SOLO’s support victims from the initial report, through to the conclusion of the investigation. SOLO's are the victim’s voice and point of contact in an investigation. As part of your role, you will be trained to respond to both recent and non-recent reports of rape and serious sexual offences. You will be trained to obtain their best evidence from them (normally via a Video Recorded Interview) and be responsible for providing them with the highest quality of victim care. You will work closely with partner agencies to ensure the right support is provided to them.
Successful candidates will need to be self-motivating as there is independent working, though you always have the support of the wider SOIT team. You will establish positive connections with victims who will have experienced violence, abuse and/or trauma by building rapport through empathy and understanding. Because of your excellent interpersonal skills and training, you will be best placed to act as the single point of contact between the victim and the investigation, ensuring that the voice of the victim is represented at every stage of the investigative process.
You will demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills to overcome issues which could cause delay. You will remain impartial and assist investigators with objective case assessments.
Key Responsibilities
To ensure that victims receive the highest standard of care and support throughout an investigation.
To increase the confidence and trust of victims by being the single point of contact.
To ensure that the best possible evidence is obtained from victims, including written and video recorded evidence, the seizure of exhibits and samples, and the use of Early Evidence Kits where appropriate.
To explain the criminal justice process to the victim and keep them informed about the progress of the investigation.
To ensure information is given to the victim positively and carefully to prevent any loss of confidence in the police investigation or the criminal justice process.
To appropriately and thoroughly explain investigation decisions particularly when a decision is made to discontinue the case.
To work in partnership with staff from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), the Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs) and victim care agencies to ensure a first-class multi-agency approach to supporting victims’ needs throughout an investigation.
To support the victim with a practical, honest and problem-solving approach to overcome any issues which may delay the progress of the investigation.
To ensure that the victim receives information about support agencies, and that any referrals are made to other agencies in accordance with the victim’s wishes.
To co-ordinate pre-trial support and assess emerging support needs relating to pending court hearings, in conjunction with Witness Care Units and ISVAs.
To ensure accurate records are kept of all interactions with victims and to ensure compliance with the victim code [VICON] and disclosure obligations under CPIA.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the role and character of the work as may be reasonably required.
Skills & Experience
This is a challenging role and, although the work will be amongst the most rewarding in policing, it will also be emotionally demanding. Because of this it won’t be for everyone which is why we are specifically looking for the most professional and resilient individuals.
In order to be successful it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the following:
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to deliver sensitive messages clearly and tactfully whilst building trust and rapport using empathy. An ability to ask insightful and at times difficult questions as we undertake an effective investigation.
• Confidence and an ability to work without direct supervision whilst under pressure; prioritising work and dealing with competing or conflicting demands and interests in an organised and methodical manner.
• Excellent crisis management skills with the ability to handle situations of heightened stress and/or emotional turmoil.
• Strong problem solving skills with the ability to analyse information in order to make quick operational decisions. In addition to the above you will also be required to have:-
• Experience of working or engaging with survivors of violence, abuse or trauma.
• As a Police Constable, you will already be trained to Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) - Level One. You will be required to have the ability and willingness to obtain the PIP Level Two Victim/Witness accreditation as soon as possible in order to lead Video Recorded Interviews (VRIs).
• Experience of successfully managing, completing, and prioritising your own workload or tasks.
• The ability and willingness to undertake the continued professional development training CPD.
We are looking for public spirited individuals who want to pursue a challenging but rewarding role in one of the most demanding arenas of policing.
The post holder must be willing to undertake shift work between 0700 and 2200 hours on a rota system covering all days of the week.
This vacancy will be based at Headquarters, Guildford.
The role will involve deployments across the county of Surrey.
Part-time and flexible working applications will be considered.
Contact Details
For further information, to discuss the role or to arrange a visit please contact -
DS Anna Blanco or Stephanie Evans - SOLO Supervisors
Anna.Blanco-Mayot@surrey.police.uk
Steph.Evans@surrey.police.uk
TDI Emily Clarke or TDI Jonathan Bradshaw – Departmental DI’s. Emily.clarke@surrey.police.uk
Jonathan.Bradshaw@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
It is really important that you inform and seek support from your line manager of your intention to submit an application for this role as this allows for sufficient resource planning. Failure to inform your line manager may result in a delay in a release dates being agreed.
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.
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