Detention Officer - Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire Constabulary currently has vacancies for Detention Officers to provide staff for the new Custody Facility at Milton, North of Cambridge. Post will be based at Parkside, Cambridge pending the opening of the new facility. In addition there is now one post available at Thorpe Wood Police station in Peterborough
Basic annual salary range is between - £27,204 - £29,859.
The role also includes additional allowances which include shift and weekend working.
Working as part of a team in support of custody sergeants, detention officers carry out a multi-functional role within very busy custody units.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary currently has two custody suites, at Thorpe Wood and Parkside. In the first half of 2026 a new site will replace Parkside and be based at Milton to the north of Cambridge. The custody units are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Successful Candidates may be posted to either custody suite but the most likely location will be the new Milton site.
Custody staff are supervised locally by custody sergeants and dedicated custody inspectors.
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain security in and around the cell area complex and attend to all welfare needs of detained persons in custody in accordance with Cambridgeshire Custody operating procedure (COP).
- Carry out the processing of detained persons, including booking in, conducting risk assessments and identifying control measures to maintain the health and welfare of the detainee, for checking by the Custody Sergeant.
- Process detained persons by the taking of fingerprints, photographs, DNA, shoeprints, VIPER procedures and Class A drug testing in accordance with PACE and Force Policy.
- Ensure, where possible, the identity of the detained person is checked and verified, carry out further checks on personal details and previous history using relevant sources (including foreign national checks where appropriate). Ensure the results of the checks are recorded and passed to the appropriate person.
- Carry out searching of detainees and cells, as directed and/or authorised by the custody sergeant.
- Provide relevant information to the Custody Sergeant to aid the completion of the pre-release risk assessments; and as directed by the Custody Sergeant, make appropriate referrals to partner agencies.
- Comply with Health & Safety legislation and take full responsibility to ensure cleanliness of cells, cell corridors, medical rooms and kitchens at all times. Prepare food and drink for detained persons recording details on the custody record.
- Maintain custody equipment and supplies to ensure sufficient stocks of materials are available at all times to ensure efficient and safe operation of the custody suite, including supporting the Custody Sergeant in maintaining the custody suite by identifying and reporting faults.
- Provide administrative support to assist with the efficient running of the custody area.
- Record, store and supply information in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy.
- Where required, convey detained persons from the point of arrest to custody, or to other premises (including VIPER suite) or parts of the building in accordance with evacuation procedures.
- When required to do so, facilitate and coordinate the hearing of Remand and Short Bail cases via video link, ensuring virtual court hearings take place efficiently and effectively.
- Any other duties as directed from time to time by managers within Cambridgeshire.
Successful candidates will be able to display the following
- An ability to work under pressure.
- Resilience and flexibility.
- Patience and compassion.
- An ability to treat individuals fairly regardless of circumstance.
- Experience in the use of IT and a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office or similar computer packages
- Ability to operate, input and interrogate computer databases.
- Mental agility and good observational skills
- Excellent communication and listening skills, including the ability to communicate with individuals from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds
- Ability to work as part of a Team
- Physical ability to defend oneself and restrain detainees as appropriate
- Ability to remain calm in stressful or potential conflict situations
- Ability to travel to work at any custody suite in the constabulary/force.
Additional Information
All internal/external applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period to apply for this role.
As a Disability Confident leader, we take personal responsibility to help create an inclusive workplace, where police officers and staff respect one another, feel valued for their differences and can be themselves. We are committed to providing workplace adjustments, wherever needed so everyone feels welcome and can flourish. If you have a disability and you meet the minimum criteria for the position you are applying for, you will be entitled to an interview under the ‘Offer an Interview Scheme’.
It is recommended that you download and store a copy of the role profile as this will no longer be available once the advert has closed.