Prevention and Intervention Researcher
As a prevention and intervention researcher you will be part of a team who facilitate information sharing, subject and department profiling and identify learning opportunities through the review of data held within the Professional Standards Department (PSD).
This is supported by the delivery of prevention and intervention activity, working with local departments and teams, new recruits, volunteers and providing evidence-based learning to force level meetings and boards.
You will enhance confidence in West Midlands Police and PSD to all stakeholders at a local and national level along with building legitimacy with staff and the public.
You will also assist in service improvement and performance with regards to complaints and misconduct investigations.
You will be required to access and present data to identify trends and issues by department/area and theme and support effective engagement and communication with people across West Midlands Police.
We are keen to have applicants from across a broad range of protected characteristics who are highly motivated individuals, a proven team player with excellent communication and relationship building skills; an individual who visibly demonstrates the force values and fairness in policing principles.
You will work alongside outreach officers and report to the prevention team sergeant.
Role and Responsibilities
- Supporting the PSD analyst in delivering a data driven approach to learning, performance and risk.
- Risk assessing individuals through research of the professional standards system and other tools to provide an oversight of staff within the organisation who may require intervention from the Professional Standards department.
- Accessing reports and dashboards using a range of tools including a variety of IT systems.
- Use WMP systems to provide specific research to assist the teams in delivering meaningful data driven inputs and learning.
- Highlight risk within reports & systems to supervisor to aid risk assessments and referrals.
- Extract data sets to complete regular reporting to independent bodies.
- Helping oversee the PSD system to ensure the data is of the highest quality
- Working with stakeholders both within the department and across the force to ensure reporting matches requirements of individual portfolios
- Other duties as required in support of the Prevention and Intervention Sgt and wider department.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Experience in researching documents and using initiative to identify what is required to develop comprehensive reports.
- Ability to work co-operatively with team members and colleagues, contributing positively and constructively to the achievement of team, service and organisational goals.
- Must have effective written and verbal communication skills and display a professional curiosity and proportionate initiative when researching.
- Strong attention to detail with ability to identify patterns and trends.
- Effective partnership working both internally and externally.
- Professional and approachable with a strong focus on people and learning
- Strong IT skills including experience using Microsoft 365, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Training or experience in research methods and basic analysis skills.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience in researching and data presentation.
- Management Vetted/ previously management vetted
- Knowledge of Data Protection and Freedom of Information
- Knowledge of Policing and Police systems
Interview will take place week commencing: 9th February 2026
For more information please contact: Police Sergeant Helen Carver helen.carver@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)
Vetting
Successful applicants will be required to pass Management 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 may be dependent upon successfully completing medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
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”