HOLMES Index Supervisor – MCU
Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.
An opportunity has arisen for a HOLMES Index Supervisor working on the HOLMES Team which is currently based at Aston Police Station.
The successful candidate will work to the Index Manager in an interesting and varied environment supervising the HOLMES team supporting MCU teams investigating Cat A/B/C Homicide investigations and other complex and critical incidents.
Current experience of version 18 of the HOLMES software as an Indexer is essential as you will be overseeing the structure of the database for each incident and checking the Indexing for accuracy, compliance with data protection and ensuring that the information is recorded to maximise investigative opportunities.
The supervision of staff is a critical part of the role as you will be the first line Supervisor for the HOLMES Indexers and Typists so previous supervisory experience is desirable but not essential.
Role Purpose
To supervise the structure of HOLMES incidents, working as deputy to the Index Manager supervising the HOLMES support team as first line manager with particular emphasis on indexing and typing services, business continuity and performance management.
Responsibilities:
- To supervise the performance and development of indexing and typing staff, identifying priorities and reassigning resources to meet demand in liaison with the Index Manager and Senior Investigating Officer for each operation.
- To engender a performance culture to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the Indexing team in support of major investigations
- To complete staff personal development reviews and to take personal responsibility to develop staff and maximise their potential
- To be responsible for the supervision, health, safety and welfare of the Indexing and typing staff, monitoring sickness absence, attendance policy, annual leave and daily duties.
- To set up and manage a HOLMES major incident room database for criminal investigations, offering professional advice to the SIO in relation to indexing policy, adapting that policy as the incident progresses to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness to bring the offenders to justice
- To supervise the security and access to the HOLMES incidents for the HOLMES support team and the maintenance and security of the major incident suites.
- To advise senior management in respect of HOLMES, the Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures manual and related issues and to provide assistance and advice on best practice and the correct use of the system maintaining these national standards
- To assess and review the HOLMES database to maximise the efficient recording and retrieval of information in line with the current objectives of the investigation at any specific time. Adapting and changing the flow of documentation as the enquiry progresses from investigation stage to arrest phase and then court preparation.
- To provide quality assurance checking the accuracy of information recorded in HOLMES to maintain integrity of the investigation and ensure compliance with data protection
- To provide advice and guidance in dealing with sensitive material utilising separate instances for highly sensitive material, for example material relating to pseudonym witnesses.
- To create, maintain and supervise the ‘log of events’ recording Indexing policies and decisions made to ensure efficient and effective management of the system.
- To oversee, supervise and review the HOLMES database
- To participate in briefings and to give presentations as required.
- To oversee the clerking role and ensure that the correct procedure is adopted at the conclusion of the enquiry. Overseeing the integrity of the paperwork making sure it is boxed correctly and ready for archive
- To keep abreast of HOLMES developments and their implementation within the incident room environment.
- To liaise between ICT Services and Unisys in relation to faults, to identify solutions and temporary workarounds to enable the user to continue to function effectively.
- To ensure compliance with Force Policy on Equity and Diversity matters and to manage incidences of inappropriate behaviour brought to your attention.
- To carry out any other duties commensurate with the purpose and grading of the post that may from time to time be determined.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- Must have successfully completed a HOLMES Indexers course and have experience in version 18 of the HOLMES software in the Indexing role thus providing a detailed working knowledge and experience of the HOLMES system in a live environment including the administration, indexes, action and document management, integrated facilities and searching capabilities.
- Sound knowledge and practical experience of the Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures.
- High level of I.T. skills Desirable
Desirable:
- Supervisory experience
Skills
Essential:
- Leadership
- Effective communication skills both written and verbal
- Interpersonal and influencing skills
- Integrity
- Organisational skills and ability to prioritise workloads
Probationary Policy:
Under the Probation Policy, if you are currently in your probation period, “during your probationary period you will not be permitted to apply for alternative police staff roles within the Force unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases, you would require the support of your line manager prior to applying for alternative roles, and if successful, your probationary period will start over.”-Policies - Probation Period (Police Staff) (wmpad.local)
Hours and Location
The role is based in Aston Police Station. You will be contracted to flexible hours working Monday to Friday between 0700- and 1800-hours observing core hours.
Post holder may be required to work outside these hours from time to time including Bank holidays, weekends and be required to work at short notice, again considering individual circumstances
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical
Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
Contact
For further information on this role please contact Zoe Morris on zoe.morris@westmidlands.police.uk
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
"Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"