Vacancy Information

Surrey Police’s, Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) is a specialist investigation department aligned to the Central Public Protection Command and is responsible for the management and investigation of a range of serious sexual offences including Category 1 Stranger Rape. The team are extremely enthusiastic about the work they undertake, and there is a strong collective and friendly working environment.

SOIT offers several advantages, including agile working opportunities. Through hard work and investment in our team, SOIT is an attractive place to work with strong staff morale and retention. We are committed to ensuring continued improvements are maintained and enhanced. We are therefore seeking to recruit a detective constable to join our fantastic SOIT team, based at Surrey Police Headquarters in Guildford.

If you are interested in working with us, please make contact and we will arrange for you to spend some time with the team, so you can directly learn about SOIT and hear from our staff about what it’s like. This role presents a very exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of rape and serious sexual offence investigation across Surrey.

SOIT provides a very enticing shift pattern, using an early turn and a late turn with a coverage from 0700-2200hrs. Our standard rota allows working only one weekend in every three, with no single RD's within the shift pattern and no late into early shifts. There are three rotas each with two Detectives Sergeants. Each team is a mixture of Detective Constables, Sexual Offence Liaison Officers & Investigation Officers.

The role is open to substantive Detective Constables and those who are near to completing their PIP 2 portfolio.

SOIT is working with partners and key stakeholders to identify innovative and creative ways to lead in the reduction of Rape and serious sexual offences alongside improving our conviction rate. The Central Public Protection Command is committed to supporting staff with professional development opportunities and offers specialist training and continued professional development to help our staff realise their full potential.

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 and Key Responsibilities

Perform the role of Investigating Officer for rape and serious sexual offence investigations.

• Effectively manage a RASSO caseload.
• To conduct operational risk assessments and build safeguarding strategies to reduce or mitigate identified risks.
• To interview witnesses of rape and serious sexual assault & obtain best evidence via statement or video.
• To interview suspects of rape and serious sexual assault & obtain best evidence.
• Work alongside support services and partner agencies in support of multi-agency safeguarding assessments and delivery of safeguarding measures
• To work with medical, forensic and digital specialists in order to create and maximise evidential opportunities where appropriate.
• To deliver exceptional victim care ensuring victims are dealt with ethically and with empathy.
• To build strong evidential case files presenting all available evidence and information in a clear, concise and methodical manner.
• To ensure the practical application of disclosure in accordance with the CPIA and the Attorney General’s Guidelines.
• To be involved in and/or attend case conferences between the OIC and CPS (including Early Advice conferences). This will ensure that best practises and procedures or deficiencies are identified and progressed.

Skills & Experience

• Strong problem solving and decision-making ability.
• Demonstrate organisation and time management skills. Including the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
• Excellent communication skills being able to demonstrate tact and understanding whilst being able to discuss sensitive and often embarrassing matters openly.
• Must be able to display a sufficient depth of character and sensitivity in order to be able to deal professionally with traumatic incidents.
• Must have the ability to recognise and manage one’s own welfare and levels of resilience.
• The post holder is expected to be aware of current legislation and procedures in respect of rape and other serious sexual offences investigations and should continue to keep themselves and relevant staff updated with any policy or legislation changes.
• The post holder will be required to work anywhere within Surrey Police areas as necessary and on occasions out of force areas as well. They must be prepared to work flexible and unsociable hours.

Desirable but not essential Skills:

• PIP 2 - Specialist Witness Interviewer
• PIP 2 - Specialist Suspect Interviewer

Further Information

If you would like to discuss the role or your personal circumstances,

please contact:

D/Supt Dave Bentley: David.bentley@surrey.police.uk

DCI Jon Smithers: jon.smithers@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.