Detention Officer
We are welcoming applications for the role of Detention Officer with Dorset Police based at the following location(s): Bournemouth Police Station (OC), Weymouth Police Station (MJ)
Salary: Scale D - Starts at £26,106 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £28,653 per annum
Please note that the above salary is based on working 37 hours per week. If this role is part-time or you are appointed on a part-time basis your salary will be prorated to reflect this. Exceptions to starting salary may apply if you are an existing Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police Staff employee substantively posted to a role at the same Scale.
Type of employment: Permanent
Owing to the shift work for the role, candidates will need to have reached the age of 18 by the start date.
Are you looking for a new challenging yet rewarding role where you can make a real difference? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have the resilience to handle unpredictable situations? If so, a role as a Detention Officer could be your next career move!
About the Role
As a Detention Officer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and welfare of individuals in custody while supporting operational policing. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of our criminal justice system, managing detainees with professionalism, integrity, and compassion.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Ensuring all necessary records are accurately maintained.
- Carrying out welfare checks and responding to detainee needs in accordance with regulations.
- Assisting custody officers in risk assessments and maintaining a secure environment.
- Conducting searches and handling property in line with procedures.
- Working closely with officers and partner agencies to uphold detainee rights and well-being.
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
- Attention to detail and the ability to follow procedures precisely.
- A team player who can also take initiative when required.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a dedicated team making a tangible impact on policing.
- A role that offers variety—no two days are the same!
- Training and development opportunities to support your progression.
To see a video about what Detention Officer work involves, please use the following link and password:
Password: InsideView20
KEY RECRUITMENT DATES:
AWARENESS EVENTS: if you would like to find out more about the role and the recruitment process, you are invited to attend one of our optional, online awareness events on the following dates.
Wednesday 2nd April 2025 from 6-7pm - click here for a free ticket
Tuesday 8th April 2025 from 6-7pm - click here for a free ticket
Wednesday 16th April 2025 from 6-7pm - click here for a free ticket
INTERVIEW: Interviews will be week commencing 6th May 2025. If you are unable to attend these dates please let the recruitment team know when submitting your application. The selection stage will consist of a structured interview.
FITNESS TEST: The police Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT) is a critical component of the recruitment and appointment of Detention Officers. The core rational for the test is to ensure that prospective employees have a minimum level of fitness to be able to undertake Personal Safety Training once appointed. The JRFT test is benchmarked against the aerobic demands of Personal Safety Training (PST) and comprises of an aerobic shuttle run test (15m Multistage Fitness Test – 15m MSFT at level 5:4).
Please refer to the linked job-related fitness test information guide. LINK
The date of the fitness test is to be confirmed but is expected to take place week commencing 6th May 2026.
CUSTODY TRAINING COURSE: Candidates who are successful through the recruitment process will be required to undertake a mandatory 5-week custody course which is to commence Monday 04 August 2025 and will be based at Winfrith Police Headquarters, Dorset, DT2 8DZ. Some course modules will be held at other sites (Bournemouth, Ferndown), in these cases you will be eligible for travel expenses to the training venue.
If you are unable to attend any dates within this 5-week training course please contact the Alliance Resourcing team who will confirm what options would be available to you.
Please note: If you are wishing to work on a part-time or ad hoc basis you will be required to attend the training course on a full time basis.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Very recently we were informed that Devon & Cornwall Police can receive a £1.6m allocation in 25/26 to increase the numbers of police officers and staff working in frontline neighbourhood policing roles. Plans have been submitted about how we intend to spend this money, and we are awaiting final approval from the Home Office. We are looking forward to the Government endorsing our plans, but to enable us to bring candidates in for planned intakes and training, we have made the decision to go live ahead of formal approval.
Please be advised that the current Detention Officer shift pattern published with this job advert is currently undergoing a review, and consultation is taking place with affected Dorset Police staff on a new proposed shift pattern. Once consultation has closed, all affected staff, including new starters already appointed, will be issued 12 weeks’ notice of the change, along with a copy of the new shift pattern, should the decision be to proceed with the proposed shift pattern.
As part of our duty of care and in line with the Equality Act 2010, we need to establish whether you will be able to carry out functions that are essential to the role for which you are applying (with reasonable adjustments where appropriate). This role has been identified as one that requires the enhanced medical check. Candidates who successfully clear pre-employment checks will, as part of a conditional offer of employment, be sent the required form for completion.
Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT)
The police Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT) is a critical component of the recruitment and appointment of this role.
The core rational for the test is to ensure that prospective employees have a minimum level of fitness to be able to undertake Personal Safety Training.
The fitness test is benchmarked against the aerobic demands of Personal Safety Training (PST) and comprises of an aerobic shuttle run test (15m Multistage Fitness Test – 15m MSFT at level 5:4).
Please refer to the linked job-related fitness test information guide.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates are required to undertake and pass the JRFT.
Want to know more about this role?
Further detail regarding this role and the essential requirements can be found within the job description attached below.
If you think this may be the role for you and would like further information, please contact:
Hiring Line Manager: Chelsie Cullen - Custody Development Officer
Email Address: Chelsie.Cullen@Dorset.PNN.Police.uk
Telephone Number: N/A
What you get if you join us:
If you work for us, you will get access to:
- A competitive salary with yearly increments.
- Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
- Company sick pay.
- Competitive local government pension scheme.
- Job related equipment, as required.
- Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
- Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
- Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
Annual Leave Entitlement:
25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees).
Additional Information
Recruitment Process
Application Stage:
To apply for this role, click the 'apply' button below, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application.
Already have an account? If you have previously created an account, please click 'login' at the bottom of the page next to the 'submit registration' button. Once logged in, you will be taken to the application.
Once registered, you will have to complete an eligibility form to apply. If eligible, you will move to the application form stage where you will evidence your suitability for this post. The closing date for applications is 25/04/2025, 12:00.
Selection Stage:
The selection for this role will consist of Shortlisting, Interview, Fitness Test.
Applications will be anonymised and then shortlisted by the shortlisting panel. Following the shortlisting you will be notified of the recruitment decision via email along with feedback on your application.
If successful, you will then be invited to an interview. This will be based on the essential criteria outlined within the job description. The interview process is due to take place week commencing 6 May 2025.
Some roles may also require an assessment and / or fitness test. Further information on this will be provided following the shortlisting process. The assessment and / or fitness test date will be and if applicable, otherwise N/A.
Pre-requisites:
If you are successful through the selection stage of the recruitment process, we will make a conditional offer of appointment and commence pre-requisite checks. These checks can include:
- Vetting checks,
- Reference checks,
- Medical assessment,
- Qualification review,
- Right to Work checks.
A formal offer of appointment and start date will not be agreed until all checks are satisfactorily completed. If you are successful at the selection stage your conditional offer will outline which of these checks are applicable to you.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.
Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.
If the role has evidence questions you are required to complete in the application form, you may wish to complete these remotely and then paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission. Please note, each evidence criterion is set to a maximum of 2000 characters.
We welcome the use of AI responsibly and ethically to demonstrate your skills in your application, but please don’t allow it to overshadow your own unique voice. While we appreciate innovative approaches, we also value authenticity. Our assessment considers the content of the application and the skills you demonstrate, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all applicants. At the end of the day – we want YOU to work for us!