Detention Officer
Role: Detention Officer
Department: Custody
Location: Sheffield & Doncaster
Salary: £28,914 - £31,749 (plus 20% shift allowance and weekend working)
Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
In this role you assist in the detention and welfare of convicted or other prisoners and their property under the direction of the police officer in charge.
Key responsibilities:
Be responsible for the security, safety, property, and welfare needs of the detained persons are catered for.
Ensure that detained persons are treated in accordance with the codes of practice issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
Undertake periodic safety checks of detained persons as directed by the Custody Officer (in accordance with PACE moving detained persons under influence of drink/drugs etc).
When instructed by the Custody Sergeant undertake the necessary process to book detainee into Custody.
Undertake dynamic risk assessments and record all relevant information in the appropriate custody record.
Use the IT appropriately to input information.
Take VIPER ID Captures, fingerprints, photographs and DNA from detained persons as directed by the Custody Officer.
Conduct drug testing of detained persons as directed by the Custody Officer and complete the associated administrative procedures.
Restrain detained person to prevent injury to the detainee, Police Officer or any other person and to prevent escape or unlawful damage to property.
Administer first aid immediately when required and inform the Custody Officer immediately if any detained person suffers any injury or illness and record observations on the Custody Handling system.
Arrange for the issuing of medication to detained persons prescribed by the medical practitioner under the direction of the Custody Officer.
Arrange for the fumigation or laundering of dirty bedding to maintain high standards of hygiene and ensure compliance with the meet and greet policy of uniformed officers bringing detainees into the suite.
Ensure compliane with Health and Safety guidance, including maintenance and survey the exercise yard to ensure there are no articles that may cause detainees injury.
Skills and experience:
- Applicants must have good communication skills in order to effectively communicate in person, by phone and intercom with detainees, officers, solicitors and other partners.
- Experience of working with official records.
- Experience of dealing with the public and understands and is sensitive to social, cultural, and racial differences.
- General good health and good general level of fitness.
- Evidence of being confident to perform own role without unnecessary support in normal circumstances and remaining calm in difficult situations.
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.
For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view.
What we offer:
We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:
- A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
- Generous annual leave allowance
- A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working
- A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
- Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
- Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
- Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
- Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 (yhrn.police)
- Membership to the Sports and Social Club
- Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 3 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.
Appearance & Standards:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
South Yorkshire Police’s overarching aim is to deliver an excellent police service to support safer communities. The public’s assessment of our excellence is influenced by the level of trust and confidence in us, as an organisation and as individuals. In comparison to the general public, police officers and police staff are held to a higher standards of behaviour and accountability. In applying to join the police, applicants are accepting of these higher standards and understand the implications on their right to privacy.
South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:
At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.
Smarter ways of Working:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.
There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.
This role has been evaluated as a fixed role.
Fixed: This is a traditional arrangement, applicable when the work is mostly required to be undertaken at a fixed single place of work (on police premises) for most of the time. The work can only or is more effectively delivered from a police premises or other agreed organisational/partner premises.
Contact details:
For further information about the role, please contact: Chief Inspector Katie Rowland-Wilson via email:
Katie.Rowland-Wilson@southyorkshire.police.uk
Closing Date: 8th February 2026
Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Recruitment Manager and the Line Manager for the role.
Recruitment Timeline:
Shortlisting: 9th - 13th February 2026
Interviews: 23rd February - 6th March 2026
Start date: 16th June 2026
Candidate Information:
Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.
Please note: The Detention Officer training course is a 4 week course from 16th June - 10th July 2026, during the training no annual leave can be taken.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.
It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.
If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.
Documents to Review:
For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here
For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here
For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here
View our recruitment video: