Detective Sergeant PPU
Post Title: Detective Sergeant PPU
Type of contract: Permanent
Rank: Substantive DS (internals and externals) or Acting DS' (internals only)*
The role is open only for Internal A/DS or Substantive DS. All external officers must be substantive DS to apply.
*Applications are invited from Constables qualified for promotion to the rank of Sergeant. This opportunity is open to all Constables that hold a valid OSPRE Part 1 and 2 pass and those that hold a valid OSPRE Part 1 or NPPF Pass*
Directorate/Department: Specialist Operations / PPU
Statement of expectation for the role: Willingness to complete specialist training and maintain CPD (some training is residential)
Vetting level required: (if unclear, please speak to the HR Services Team): MV/SC
Location: Bishopsgate
Salary: as per national police pay scale plus London Weighting and London Allowance
Description of Department:
Expressions of interest are invited for the position of DS in the Public Protection Unit.
The Public Protection Unit delivers a range of services across all areas of public protection. The unit spans most vulnerability areas, coordinates the safeguarding of vulnerable victims, undertakes complex investigations and is the point of contact for multi-agency working and risk-management.
The unit prides itself on high levels of victim service and works closely with other areas of the City Of London Police to reduce the threat of harm to vulnerable children and adults.
The unit requires strong leadership due to the diversity and responsibility of the portfolio. The unit is placed in a challenging and growing area of policing which is both interesting and rewarding.
PPU officers specialize in the following areas;
- Rape & Serious Sexual Offences
- Domestic Abuse, Stalking and domestic harassment,
- Hate crime
- Child Protection, abuse and exploitation
- Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and FGM
- Sudden Childhood/Infant Death Investigations
- Managing registered sex offenders.
- Investigation of CSAM/IIOC
- Vulnerable Adult abuse investigations
Purpose of the Role:
The Public Protection Unit strive to improve the way in which the force looks after the most vulnerable in our communities with a specific focus on the 14 strands of vulnerability, encompassing Domestic Abuse, Adults at Risk, Child Abuse, Neglect and more. Domestic Abuse and VAWG is a large, priority area for the force and will always be a focus.
The department is central to developing processes that are more efficient, better for victims of crime and to help officers on team effectively progress their investigations to achieve positive outcomes for victims. Current or recent experience of working in a Public Protection environment is essential, as is a solid and demonstrable investigative background.
The DS will have responsibility for management of a team of PPU investigators and supervise their caseloads. The DS will also act as a point of contact for advice and guidance across the force in relation to all areas of Public Protection.
The DS will report to the Detective Inspector Public Protection Unit.
Attendance at multi-agency meetings will be required.
Essential Criteria – including the behaviours that will be tested at application/interview:
- The candidate should be qualified as a Detective and must demonstrate a proven investigative experience & background.
- The candidate must be able to demonstrate current or recent experience in a Public Protection Team or environment, including good working knowledge relevant legislation covering Public Protection areas, such as Sexual Offences Act 2003, Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014, Domestic Abuse Act 2021 etc.
- Must be enthusiastic, victim focussed and be able to operate under pressure dealing with high risk and emotive cases
- Excellent communication skills.
- Be able to engage colleagues, partners and victims in a sensitive, patient and impartial manner
- A professional, resilient and ‘can do’ attitude to the service
- Willingness to be subject to mandatory psychological/occupational health screening.
- Willingness to learn and be an effective, committed team member within a successful unit.
- Flexibility around working hours where operationally required.
- Be prepared to commit to a minimum of two/three years in the role due to the high cost of training PPU staff.
Types of Qualification(s) needed:
Current PIP2
SCAIDP (desirable)
SSAIDP (desirable)
Applicants who fail to address the skills/knowledge/experience of the job description will not be considered.
If you would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact: DCI Ali Marman – 07523 937288 ; Alistair.marman@cityoflondon.police.uk
The closing date for applications is Friday 28th February 2026 at 23:59
This vacancy is open only to those who have the right to work in the UK.
[INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY] Please note that your application will not be considered without the completed endorsement form. Please ensure you leave enough time for your verifiers and senior leaders to complete the support of your application before the closing date.
Please note Officers who are not within 3 months of completing their tenure period, will not be eligible to apply for internal roles. This applies only to Officers who are not currently working within this Directorate.
The City of London Police is keen to promote flexible working and will, subject to operational policing requirements, proactively consider all applications to work flexibly.
The City of London Police is committed to equality of opportunities and continuously strive for inclusivity within our Force. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities and long-term conditions, those with Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic backgrounds, female candidates, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
We strive to ensure all our information and services are accessible to and useable by everyone. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with HR via hrservices@cityoflondon.police.uk
Benefits:
* In return, we will offer a number of benefits including a generous pension scheme, a free Oyster card for London (TFL) travel and subsidised national rail travel, which allows you to travel within a 70 mile radius. For further information please visit:
https://careers.cityoflondon.police.uk/working
The ATOC Rail Travel Concession allows regular serving police officers to travel on National Rail services within a 70 mile radius of London for a small monthly cost. This is a taxable benefit that the City of London Police negotiates and Officers make a contribution to the cost of the scheme. If you wish to confirm if your journey would be covered under this scheme, please contact HR Services directly as the 70 miles is an approximation. *
A diverse workforce improves the service we provide to our public by making us more approachable and relevant within our communities. This is why it’s vitally important that we recruit people from a wide range of communities and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural issues and a wide range of skills. We therefore particularly encourage female and people from Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities to join us.
The way we work is changing. With a few exceptions most roles will be able to accommodate part time, job share and flexible working patterns. We can also offer hybrid working patterns of home and office-based shift patterns. Feel free to speak to us about any flexible working requirements.
The Force has a number of Staff Support Networks that can offer you support and advice. Applicants are very welcome to contact the networks directly if they need any support or ask any question before they apply. For further information on the networks and their contact details please visit: