Division / Department - Forcewide
Grade - Level 1
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £45,374 - £57,478
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Forcewide
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables' MessageWe really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role & Key ResponsibilitiesFrom your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.
To provide expert level advice, support and training on matters relating to controlled drugs to the public, police colleagues and partner agencies.
To test and identify substances seized within the force, for possession and urgent remand cases, subsequently supplying Drug Expert Witness statements. This will include investigations for possession, supply, importation, and production of controlled drugs.
To provide impartial Drug Expert Witness testimony at court trials.
To manage the Drug Expert Witness cadre within the force, including the provision of guidance and continuous professional development, ensuring that skills and integrity are maintained.
To manage in-house testing of controlled drugs within the force, including the provision of Class A and B drug training for officers and staff to enable them to perform in house identification of selected substances, utilising Home Office approved equipment. This will incorporate ordering and stocking of testing kits, monitoring of testing records for quality control, addressing any concerns, along with the completion of Home Office returns.
Undertake partnership work with the HM Prison Service and other organisations regarding controlled drug visits, including audits, supervising the destruction of controlled drugs stored within the prison and supporting drug screening operations for staff and visitors at HMP establishments.
To provide advice and guidance prior to submission of POCA and Section 27 fund applications, undertaking suitability assessments against the Section 27 drug seizure fund requirements.
To be responsible for maintaining specialist drug testing equipment to assist drug investigations and intelligence gathering operations.
To keep abreast of new changes within the illicit drugs market including but not limited to market fluctuations, emerging trends and potential new hazardous substances.
To facilitate urgent updates via briefings and public health alerts regarding the identification of new illicit drug risks to officers and staff, the public and partner organisations.
To undertake pharmaceutical premise inspections, auditing controlled drug stocks and registers, assessing compliance with safe storage regulations. This includes liaison with partner agencies including but not limited to NHS England, SECAMB and Public Health.
To attend regional and national events to ensure that emerging or current threats are identified and to provide guidance and advice as required.
To be a single point of contact for partner agencies regarding drug related matters including Treatment providers, Public Health, NHS England, HM Prison Service and Sodexo, Social Services, Drug Clinics, Customs and Excise and the Home Office and provide assistance in any multi-agency forum.
To manage the supply of, and deliver staff training in the use of Naloxone. Arranging front-line officers to undertake training via a partner agency, and provide in-house training to non-front-line staff and officers. Maintaining a register of force naloxone provision and administration, ensuring that all kits are in date and equipment is replaced in a timely manner. In addition, briefing Public Health authorities following administration events.
Working alongside the Force Drug portfolio lead and deputy, to ensure Drug related policies, procedures and guidance remain relevant and updated with any legislative amendments.
Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work, as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser graded post.
It is essential that the post holder possesses a sound knowledge and well evidenced experience in the field of illicit drugs.
Experience of drug testing (Class A and B) is preferable.
Drug Expert Witness qualification is preferable but not essential
The post holder must have excellent interpersonal skills, to deal professionally and ethically with numerous partner agencies to ensure a meaningful whole system approach.
Experience and a proven record of self-motivation, flexibility, drive, enthusiasm and initiative. The ability to work efficiently alone and as part of a team.
Manage time and prioritise effectively, with an aptitude for forward planning, responding flexibly to changing demands and deadlines.
Proven presentation skills to impart knowledge and deliver training to colleagues and partners addressing a wide variety of audiences.
Excellent communication skills. This will include clear and concise written reports, using non-technical language where necessary to impart information.
Ability to remain calm under pressure providing succinct and accurate evidence-based opinion within a court environment.
Ability to process, assess and prioritise large amounts of data within limited time frames, resulting in the development of impartial evidence-based opinions.
Well-developed computer skills, with experience in using Microsoft products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to become proficient in a range of Surrey Police IT systems.
Applicant must hold a full driving licence. The post holder will be required to travel within the county, and on occasion to other areas within the UK to represent Surrey Police.
Why Work With Us?Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include home working.
We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;
- career progression
- contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
- generous annual leave allowance
- discounts for everyday spend
- on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
- generous and supportive parental leave
- financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
- discounted contributory healthcare scheme
Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police
Further InformationContact Alex Gillott on 07720044154 or via email - alexander.gillott@surrey.police.uk
Diversity StatementWe are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional InformationFollowing submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@policejobssurreyandsussex.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
- vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
- vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
- if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
