Holmes Indexer
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.
Applications are invited for the position of HOLMES Indexer to be based at Aston Police Station. The post holder may also occasionally be required to travel to support investigations at other Force CID locations when necessary.
The successful candidate will work in an interesting and varied environment supporting the Homicide Team and will be involved with the investigation of Murder / Major Crime & C.S.E. within the West Midlands area.
Duties will include the registration of documentation, creating and maintaining of designated indices within the database. You will also be required to interrogate and research the database undertaking the indexing of documentation as indicated by supervision. This includes summarising information, creating index to index cross referencing and raising actions to the appropriate subject.
In all areas there is an obligation to ensure confidentiality, security and safety of all equipment and information.
You must have a good standard of education, experience of typing and a good working knowledge of Windows based applications. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential and the ability to work on your own initiative as well as a member of a Team is intrinsic to the role. You will possess the utmost integrity and professionalism as you will be handling sensitive and confidential information.
Experience of a Major Investigation Room environment is desirable but not essential. You will be required to attend formal training (HOLMES Indexer) and, following this, a formal assessment will need to be undertaken.
Specific Role Responsibilities
- Read and research information submitted into the incident room recording information in the appropriate indices in the HOLMES2 computer system
- Maintain and accurately update designated HOLMES indexes as follows;
Nominal
Location
Vehicle
Telephone
Category
Sequence of Events
Organisations
Exhibits
- Register all documentation submitted into the incident room from the Receiver appropriately using the HOLMES2 software and any replacement system
- Raise any actions as instructed, after checking that the enquiry is not already the subject of a previous action, updating actions as and where necessary and resulting the completed actions.
- Index and summarise the content of the documents following the guide indicated by the Receiver, Document Reader and Office Manager creating relevant cross references as appropriate to the documentation.
- To index complex documentation within the HOLMES2 system in accordance with MIRSAP and the Major Crime Unit Room Management policy
- To incorporate the use of ancillary software, such as M3 Reveal Media software to log and integrate multi media or the Scyron software to produce court presentations.
- To utilise ancillary computer and word processing systems in order to undertake any additional research required.
- As a member of the team to undertake typing, proof reading and clerking duties as directed by the Index management.
- To provide assistance to NPU personnel or other departments in the running of a major incident room for investigations via HOLMES.
- To assist with the creation of links between the incident room and Casualty Bureau facility within HOLMES to investigate major disaster incidents.
- To be responsible for the control and security of all equipment and documentation associated to the MIR and the HOLMES 2 computer system, in line with Security of Information guidelines employing GPMS, Data Protection and Freedom of Information policies at all times.
- To undertake the training of new operatives, police and police staff within the incident room (when suitably qualified and experienced).
- 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
- Attention to detail and accuracy in recording and presenting information
- High level of I.T. skills
- Will be required to pass a HOLMES Indexers course
Desirable
- Previous HOLMES training / knowledge
- Knowledge and practical experience of the Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures
- RSA Level I or equivalent typing/keyboard skills.
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills both written and oral
- Integrity
- Flexible approach to working practices
- Self motivation and self management skills
- Experience of team working
- Ability to prioritise workload
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a major incident room environment
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.
Hours Of Work & Flexibility
- Contracted to Flexi Hours working 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 taking into account individual circumstances
For further information about this role, please contact:
HOLMES Supervisor Gary via gary.oreilly@westmidlands.police.uk
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)
Benefit Statement
By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:
- Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
- Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
- Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
- A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.
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"