Detention Officer
• Salary: £36,453.36 per annum (base salary of £27,204.00 + 20% shift allowance £5,440.80 + 14% weekend enhancement £3,808.56). Rising to £40,011.06 per annum (base salary of £29,859 + 20% shift allowance £5,971.80 + 14% weekend enhancement £4,180.26) after four years' service.
• Shift Pattern: 6 days on / 4 days off, including nights, weekends and public holidays
• Contract: Full Time
• Location: Custody Suites across West Yorkshire
Entitlement to the 20% shift allowance and 14% weekend enhancements will commence upon completion of the initial six week training course.
Looking for a role where you can make a real impact in a challenging and fast-paced environment?
Detention Officers play a key role in keeping West Yorkshire Police custody suites safe and secure. Working as part of a dedicated custody team, you will support detainee welfare, assist Custody Officers and maintain professional standards in a challenging environment.
You'll work with a wide range of detainees, requiring resilience, sound judgement and strong communication skills, alongside a commitment to treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.
Role and Responsibilities
You will play a key role in ensuring the safe, compliant and effective operation of custody environments across the force. Duties are varied and require the ability to work under pressure while maintaining the highest professional standards.
Key duties include:
• Booking detainees into and out of custody
• Receiving and processing detainees using force and national IT systems, maintaining accurate records and documentation
• Capturing biometric data, photographs, fingerprints and DNA samples
• Monitoring detainee welfare, behaviour and risk levels, escalating concerns where necessary
• Supporting detainees with meals, refreshments, medication, exercise and welfare requirements
• Managing and recording detainees' property, ensuring accountability at all times
• Liaising with healthcare providers, legal representatives, partner agencies and other stakeholders
• Maintaining a clean, safe and hygienic custody environment
• Using reasonable force where required to safely restrain and manage detainees
• Applying the Police Code of Ethics and Authorised Professional Practice at all times
Expectations
To succeed in this role, you will be expected to:
• Communicate effectively with detainees, colleagues, partner agencies and members of the public
• Remain calm, professional and decisive when dealing with challenging or unpredictable situations
• Demonstrate empathy, respect and fairness when interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Work collaboratively within a team while confidently using your own initiative
• Maintain accurate records and use IT systems effectively
• Uphold professional standards, confidentiality and integrity at all times
• Be physically capable of managing detainees, including those who may be violent or resistant
• Work a 24-hour shift pattern, including nights, weekends and public holidays
Essential Criteria
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good computer skills and confidence using IT systems
• Ability to undertake and successfully complete the mandatory Detention Officer training programme
• Ability to undertake mandatory training including first aid, detainee handling and IT-based learning
• Physically capable of carrying out all aspects of the role, including detainee handling and restraint
• Ability and willingness to work unsocial hours
• Ability and willingness to work across the force area when required
Benefits/What We Offer
West Yorkshire Police staff can access a wide range of benefits designed to support work-life balance, wellbeing, development and financial security. These include:
• Salary: £36,453.36 per annum (base salary of £27,204.00 + 20% shift allowance £5,440.80 + 14% weekend enhancement £3,808.56). Rising to £40,011.06 per annum (base salary of £29,859 + 20% shift allowance £5,971.80 + 14% weekend enhancement £4,180.26) after four years' service
• Generous annual leave allowance – 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays)
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE pension scheme
• Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children's Charity (eligibility dependent)
• Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card
• Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes
• Opportunities for career development and training
• Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
• Option to join the Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility dependent)
• Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups and sports clubs
• A meaningful career supporting policing services that protect communities across West Yorkshire
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer and a member of the Fair Work Charter.
For more information about what we offer, visit:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/benefits
Employee Benefits
How to Apply
More information about the Detention Officer role can be found on our website: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/detention-officers
We are recruiting for upcoming training courses, with vacancies available across our custody suites. During the recruitment process, you will be asked to indicate your preferred posting location; however, final postings will be determined based on operational requirements
All applicants must be prepared to work at any custody suite across West Yorkshire when required.
Please note that applicants who have not been resident in the UK for the previous three years may not meet the required vetting standards.
Closing date: Sunday 23rd August 2026, 23:55PM.
