Coroner's Officer
Salary: Band 8, £36,066 - £41,028 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the bottom)
Location: Agile, Sunderland City Hall and some homeworking
Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, 12-month fixed term / secondment (maternity cover)
Working for #TeamNP
Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job – and that’s where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.
As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we’ll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.
As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.
Whether you’re a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.
Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters.
Learn about our full benefits package
The role
Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Crime Department as a Coroner’s Officer.
As a Coroner’s Officer you will investigate deaths that are unnatural, violent, occur in state detention, or where the cause is unknown. You will work under the direction of HM Coroner, collaborating closely with law enforcement and medical professionals to ensure thorough investigations. This role is key to delivering an efficient, professional, and compassionate service to those affected by bereavement.
What you’ll do
- Ensure Legal Compliance – Act within Coronial law and relevant legislation (Coroners and Justice Act 2009, Investigations Regulations 2013, Inquests Rules 2013, Notification of Deaths Regulations 2019, Human Tissue Act 2004) following Chief Coroner guidance.
- Manage Death Reports – Receive and review referrals, confirm cause of death, and ensure formal identification is completed ethically and with empathy.
- Gather & Assess Evidence – Collect and evaluate information to support judicial decisions—whether to order a post-mortem, open an investigation/inquest, or notify the registrar.
- Investigate & Document – Analyse and record case details, attend post-mortems when required, provide pathologists with relevant info, and maintain integrity of samples and exhibits. You will support Coroner’s inquests and support the court proceedings.
- Liaise & Communicate – Keep families and Interested Persons updated, and coordinate with pathologists, clinicians, insurers, HSE, prison authorities, and legal representatives.
What you’ll bring
- An ability to use a variety of computer programmes to support the work undertaken.
- An understanding of the work conducted by the Coroner.
- An ability to plan work, prioritise and deliver timely investigations at the direction of the coroner.
- An ability to identify problems and identify alternative options and solutions.
- An ability to work as part of a team structure to deliver an outstanding service.
- An ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with all those who come into contact with the Coronial service. Including the ability to deliver difficult and sensitive messages.
We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.
Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact Steve Brown, D/Inspector Major Investigation Team by email at steven.brown@northumbria.police.uk
What we offer
- 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
- NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
- Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
- Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
- Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
- Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
- Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
- Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
- Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
- Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
- We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support
- Access to gyms in some stations
- Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
- Cycle to work scheme
- Opportunity to volunteer in local community
We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connection are key. For roles designated as agile or home-based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.
Just so you know
Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Coroner’s Officer with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.
The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face to face interview. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.
We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates.
If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via careers@northumbria.police.uk for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.
Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.
If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.
Terms of appointment
This is a fixed term / secondment role subject to a six-month probationary period.
If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.
Please note if you are interested in applying for this secondment opportunity, please discuss this with your Line Manager and gain agreement prior to applying.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.