Vacancy Information

Division / Department - Public Protection
Grade - Grade 10
Status - Full Time and Part Time Available
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £32,772 - £35,982
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - Yes
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Hailsham

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

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 & Key Responsibilities

Sussex Police POLIT (Paedophile Online Investigation Team) changed their name on 1st April 2024 to OCAT (Online Child Abuse Team)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Sussex Police East OCAT based at Hailsham Police Station for a full time police staff PIP Level 2 investigator post.

** PIP Level 1 investigators may apply so long as you take and pass the NIE (National Investigators Exam) within 18 months of starting with us. Failure to pass the NIE three times will result in you being returned to division (if internal) or moving to a PIP1 role in a different department (if external). **

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.

The majority of work undertaken by OCAT is the development of intelligence from internal sources and external agencies including the National Crime Agency (NCA), Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCU) and other Force Child Abuse Units to identify and arrest those responsible for possession, making and distribution of child abuse images or internet based offending whereby children are targeted.

• You will investigate criminal offences in Sussex, commensurate with PIP level 1 (priority and volume crime) and PIP level 2 (serious and complex crime).
• You will largely be investigating and targeting those most considered at risk of contact offending against children, those responsible for high levels of distribution of the worst categories of indecent images of children, and those who are acting in association with others as organised crime groups.
• You will safeguard children and represent Sussex Police at multi agency strategy discussions, contributing to safeguarding plans for vulnerable children.
• You will prepare evidential files for court and liaise with the CPS.
• You will support major crime investigations where required.

The shift pattern is Monday to Friday and flexibility is a must with pre-planned early starts when undertaking pro-active warrants and arrests.

Please note that in addition to the salary above, you will receive a market rate supplement of £3,000 per year (pro rata for part time) for working in a vulnerable role. The shift allowance in OCAT is 9.95% of gross salary.

Skills & Experience

Qualifications

• Possession of one A level or equivalent academic qualification or experience in investigations.
• You must be PIP Level 1 accredited.

NB: Failure to achieve a pass in the NIE, and failure to complete the subsequent PIP 2 qualification may lead to a requirement to move back to the previous role if an internal candidate, or to a more appropriate role if an external candidate.

There is a lot of travel in this role which covers all of East Sussex, so having a full driving licence (as well as force issued BDA permit if internal candidate) is essential.

This role will not be suitable for staff on recuperative duties, as it involves regular early starts, attending addresses, seizing and carrying computers etc and interviewing suspects in custody.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• A good knowledge of crime policies and procedures relating to criminal investigation and particularly the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.
• Proven and well-evidenced experience in some form of investigations which may include conducting interviews and case building.
• PEACE interview trained, or willing to undertake this training in order to become proficient.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence and ability to negotiate and influence others through verbal and written communication.
• Must be capable of absolute discretion in handling matters of a personal, sensitive and confidential nature.
• A good working knowledge of crime policies and procedures relating to criminal investigation and particularly Pan Sussex Child Safeguarding Procedures, and relevant offences under Sexual Offences Act 2003, Criminal Justice Act 1988, and Protection of Children Act 1978.
• The ability to analyse problems, make sound operational decisions and have a high level of persistence and self-motivation to see an investigation through to conclusion.
• Substantial, proven and well-evidenced experience in investigation, conducting interviews and case building.
• Excellent organisational, planning and prioritising abilities; Demonstrates confidence, credibility and resilience.
• Ability to independently exercise own judgement in a consistent manner, within confines of legislation and agreed procedures.
• The ability to operate multiple computer database systems and be willing to undertake training in order to become proficient in all relevant Sussex Police systems.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police

Further Information

For further information on the role, please contact DS Phil Cracknell at Hailsham OCAT by emailing phil.cracknell@sussex.police.uk or by calling 07912 892706

 

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.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes.  Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference.  This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

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

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.