Detention Officer March 2026

Detention Officer

• Salary: £27,204 per annum rising to £29,859 after four years’ service
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Custody suites across West Yorkshire

Looking for a role where you can make a real impact in a challenging and fast paced environment?

Detention Officers play a vital part in the safe, professional and efficient running of West Yorkshire Police custody suites. You will work as part of a dedicated team to safeguard detainees. This hands on role carries designated powers under the Police Reform Act 2002, allowing you to capture biometric data, take non intimate samples and use reasonable force when necessary. You will maintain a visible presence in custody and represent West Yorkshire Police with professionalism, ethics and compassion.

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 wide ranging and require resilience, empathy, sound judgement and excellent communication skills.

Key duties include:

• Booking detainees in and out of custody
• Capturing biometric data and recording non intimate samples
• Monitoring and supporting detainee welfare, safety and risk levels
• Preparing and serving meals and drinks
• Responding to enquiries from partner agencies, solicitors, members of the public and internal teams
• Maintaining the custody suite to required standards, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures
• Using reasonable force where required to safely restrain detainees
• Applying the Police Code of Ethics and Authorised Professional Practice at all times

You will also be required to deal with uncooperative or sometimes violent detainees and must be physically capable of safely managing such situations.

To succeed in the role, you will be expected to:

• Communicate clearly and professionally with detainees, colleagues and partner agencies
• Remain calm, composed and decisive when dealing with challenging or unpredictable situations
• Work collaboratively within a team while also using your own initiative
• Demonstrate empathy, fairness and respect when interacting with people from all backgrounds
• Maintain a high level of personal resilience and emotional maturity
• Use IT systems confidently to record and update custody information
• Uphold professional standards, integrity and confidentiality at all times
• Work to shift patterns that include nights and weekends

Essential Criteria:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to think quickly and deal effectively with a range of situations
• Empathy, resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Good physical stamina and the capability to manage and restrain detainees when required
• Ability to work well in a team and use initiative
• Good computer skills
• Ability to complete and pass the mandatory 6 week initial training programme

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 rising from £27,204 to £29,859 after four years’ service
• 20% shift allowance and 14% weekend enhancements (post training)
• Shift pattern of 6 days on / 4 days off, including nights and weekends
• Generous annual leave allowance - 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays)
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme
• 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
• Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility-dependent)
• Opportunities for career development and training
• Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
• A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities
• Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent)
• Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs

For more information about what we offer, visit: Employee Benefits (https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/benefits)

How to Apply:

More about the Detention Officer role can be found on our website: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/about-us/policies-and-procedures/policies/criminal-justice-and-custody/custody-and-detention

We are recruiting for upcoming training courses with vacancies across our custody suites in Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Halifax & Dewsbury. You will be asked to indicate your preferred posting during the recruitment process, although final placements are based on operational need.

All applicants must be prepared to work at any custody suite across West Yorkshire when required.

If successful at interview stage, you will be required to undergo a medical assessment, vetting checks and reference checks prior to appointment. Please note that applicants who have not been resident in the UK for the past three years may not meet vetting requirements.

The application process will close at 23:55 on 30th March 2026.

Apply