Detention Officer
Detention Officer - Criminal Justice
Grade C - £24, 921 - £27,351 + 34.06% EA
Shift Worker
Various Locations across the Force including Copy Lane, Wirral, Belle Vale and St Anne Street
We have an exciting opportunity to become a Detention Officer in one of our Custody Suites across Merseyside.
Merseyside Police is a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding place to work and we take pride in everything we do.
The best-performing urban Force to date, as graded by HMICFRS, our strategy is simply to put the communities of Merseyside first. We have a strong focus on continuous improvement in the areas we’re passionate about: ending Violence Against Women and Girls; tackling Serious Organised Crime and County Lines; strengthening our approach to Diversity and Inclusion; building trust and confidence through Community Engagement.
You’ll be working for a friendly employer who has a passion for investing in our people and creating the conditions so you can thrive and be your best self.
Job Purpose
Working under the supervision and direction of the custody sergeant, you will assist in the receiving and processing of detained persons within custody, with shared responsibility for the care, welfare and risk management of all detained persons, ensuring adherence with PACE Codes of Practice regarding the rights and treatment of persons arrested.
To learn more about the role and hear from our Custody Staff about why they do the role, sign up for our welcome evening at Wavertree Road Police Station L7 1RJ, At 18:30 on Tuesday 23rd April where our friendly team will tell you all about the role and show you a (non-operational) custody suite.
Main Responsibilities
- As directed by the Custody Sergeant, receive and process detainees utilising Force and national IT systems, producing accurate custody records and documentation for detained persons
- Prepare and provide detained person’s meals, provision of first aid where necessary and supervision of exercise and washing, to ensure all aspects of a detained person’s welfare needs are met.
- Facilitate the movement of detainees within the suite ensuring that security considerations are complied with
- Undertake processing of prisoners including searching, fingerprinting, creating, and updating PNC records, obtaining photographic images
- Monitor detainees in line with the Care Plan as set out by the custody sergeant, ensuring that all detainees’ health and welfare needs are attended to
- Respond to all enquiries at the Custody Suite. Escort visitors ensuring security of the premises and safety of all persons.
- Where necessary and with support and guidance, provide evidence for prosecution purposes and attend court if required.
- Liaise with external agencies at direction of the Custody Sergeant e.g., appropriate adults, solicitors, medical professionals, interpreters
- Conduct regular and auditable checks within custody suite of stocks, cells, and equipment
About our Recruitment process
We're now recruiting candidates for training start dates in September 2024 onwards
Please find information below relating to the process:
Stage One – Online Application and supporting 500 word evidence about why you believe you’re suitable for the role. Please do refer to the full job description and our leadership framework for guidance but don’t worry if you don’t have all of the areas mentioned, there is full training for this role, we’re looking for good communicators with a passion to help. You will need to add your 500 evidence to the qualification upload section of the application. You do not need qualifications for this role but please do add a CV if you would like to.
Please do attend our welcome evening to learn more about the role on Tuesday 23rd April, 18:30- 20:00 at Wavertree Road Police Station, L7 1RJ
Stage Two – If successful at shortlisting, you’ll be invited to a Face to Face interview in our most likely the first and third week of May
Stage Three – Conditional offer and pre-employment checks (Medical checks, Vetting) throughout June and July- if successful, you will receive an offer of employment to commence your 4 weeks training at the beginning of September. This offer will confirm your agreed upon custody suite and details of your contract and pay
Please note that while the 4 weeks training will be paid for 36.5 hours per week without shift allowance, once you commence your shift pattern (example below), you will receive an estimated salary of 33,500 (hourly rate of approximately 17.60 per hour) which includes the equalisation allowance for shift work (36.5 hours per week) and there is usually plenty of overtime available.
Click here for an example of the shift pattern you will be working
Click here for the full JDQ
Click here for the leadership framework which you can use to help you with your 500 word evidence
If you have any questions about the role or need assistance applying, please contact careers@merseyside.police.uk
Our commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
Building a workforce that represents our communities is important to us. Not only do we aim to attract and keep people with the best skills and highest potential, we want to attract a diverse range of individuals into our force who might not have considered a career with us before. We particularly welcome applications from Females and Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates. To help us achieve a workforce that represents our communities, we have a dedicated Inclusion team who work to encourage people from diverse communities to build their career with our force. They also provide support and guidance throughout the job application process to candidates from under-represented groups. To find out more about the support on offer from our dedicated Inclusion team please click here or contact us at outreach@merseyside.police.uk