6326 Custody Detention Officer
Gloucestershire Constabulary is looking for committed, dynamic individuals to become part of their Custody Team as a Detention Officers (DO) within the Compass House custody suite, adjacent to HQ, Waterwells. As a Detention Officer you will work with others to deliver a service to the people of Gloucestershire whilst supporting the Constabulary in its aim to keep people safe from harm.
You will work alongside police officers, police staff and other agencies to assist with the smooth running of custody whilst reporting to the shift Lead Detention Officer (LDO) as your first line manager. This will entail working on a dedicated shift on a set twelve hour shift pattern which will be four on four off basis. The hours undertaken are two day shifts 0700-1900 followed by two night shifts 1900-0700 hours and four rest days. Limited part time hours might be considered.
Your primary responsibilities will include ensuring correct access to the building is maintained, searching people arrested on arrival, applying appropriate restraint techniques and ensuring the welfare needs of those arrested are met. You will need excellent communication skills to interact with detainees, colleagues and staff from other agencies. You will be expected to maintain a standard of work that is in line with the key performance indicators as set by the Criminal Justice Inspector and that you maintain standards in line with the Police Standards of Professional behaviour and the police Code of Ethics. You will need good IT skills and be able to deal with a variety of different people in what can be a physically and emotionally demanding role.
The role within the custody environment can be a stressful and fast paced role so applicants will need to be able to stay calm under pressure and respond to a variety of challenging behaviours in ways that are appropriate and lawful. You will be working in what can be a very dynamic area of business and you will need to be able to respond to that environment appropriately.
Successful applicants should be able to work with minimum supervision whilst also performing as part of a team. Experience of working in a similar environment would be advantageous but is not essential. Training will be provided in the more technical aspects which will last four weeks and include everything needed to be able to be mentored by an experienced member of staff when you arrive on shift.
There may be opportunities to apply for development opportunities within this role.
Candidates will be required to undertake a three week training course which will predominately be at The Sabrina Centre, Berkeley with a proposed starting date of 26th January 2026 expecting to join your shift from mid-February 2026 where you will have a period of mentoring to demonstrate competence in the role. There are some elements of the role and the training course that are physically demanding so candidates will need a certain level of basic fitness to be able to perform the role. The expectation will be that successful applicants will be available for the entirety of the training course.
Any offer of positions will be subject to the passing of vetting, to include biometric vetting and references check. Full details of the role are attached on the role profile.
The interviews will be based on four of the six CVF competency areas, namely the areas:
- We are emotionally aware
- We take ownership
- Deliver and inspire
- Innovative and open minded
Interviews are intended to commence the week of 6th October 2025 with results being sent out the week commencing 13th October 2025 ready for the necessary vetting and employment checks which need to be undertaken.
Should you require any further information regarding this role, please contact Lynn Northfield via Lynn.Northfield@gloucestershire.police.uk.
The closing date is Sunday 21st September 23:55pm
Please refer to the Role Profile document when completing the Statement in support of your application section of the form. In this section, you are required to provide evidence with specific examples for each of the Essential criteria included under the Experience and Qualifications section of the Role Profile. For each of the criteria, please write a paragraph detailing how your experience, qualifications, skills and abilities meet the minimum criteria for the role. Applicants who do not provide this required evidence will unfortunately not be invited to interview.
Candidates applying for Gloucestershire Constabulary should be aware that the use of online 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI) systems such as ChatGPT to generate application answers is NOT permitted, any candidate found to have submitted an application form using online 'AI' software to generate answers will be removed from the recruitment process with immediate effect. This may result in future applications with the Constabulary also being rejected, based on integrity.
Need help with your application?
If you need any support while completing your application, whether it’s understanding the questions, gathering the right information, or just having someone to talk it through with, then our Better Together Team is here to help. We’d be happy to support you at any stage of the process.
For support with your application, please contact Better Together at BetterTogetherTeam@Gloucestershire.police.uk
At Gloucestershire Constabulary we recognise the benefits of increasing diversity across our force and the value of building a representative workforce. That is why it is important that people from ethnically diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups, including those with a disability, apply and help us deliver excellence in policing throughout Gloucestershire. We are a proud Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing equal opportunities. You may wish to register with our Talent Bank- the link can be found here: https://gloucestershireconstabulary.tal.net/vx/appcentre-External/brand-3/candidate/so/pm/8/pl/12/opp/457-Register-your-interest-with-Better-Together/en-GB