Key Accountabilities

• Implement all relevant legislation and apply policies and procedures to ensure high standards of security and safety are maintained within the Custody Suite.
• Assist in the accurate and prompt maintenance of manual and computerised custody records, including undertaking quality assurance as required, to ensure the integrity of data held and compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), the PACE Codes of Practice and other applicable legislation and local/national guidance.
• Recognise and review all factors relating to the dignity and wellbeing of detainees to ensure these issues are given due consideration at all stages of detention, release or transfer.
• Oversee/manage the process of completing antecedent forms, obtaining fingerprints, photographs, DNA and other biometric samples.
• Oversee/manage the completion of mandatory drug testing procedures from detained persons, including all associated paperwork, whilst ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and local/national guidance.
• Oversee/manage the process of searching each cell before and after use to detect and arrange the repair of any damage caused, reporting and following correct procedures to maintain a safe custody facility.
• Oversee/manage the process of physically searching detainees, retaining and recording personal possessions, and ensuring compliance with legislation and national and local policies and procedures.
• Undertake reviews of detention, monitor the progress of investigations, and report information to the PACE Inspector to ensure detainees are being detained in line with legislation, including accurately recording all appropriate Release Under Investigation (RUI), bail and disposal decisions on the custody record.
• Supervise visits by official representatives/agencies.
• Ensure that all cell visits for detainees in custody are completed to the level identified during the initial or subsequent risk assessment and carried out in accordance with APP, undertaking spot checks to ensure compliance.
• Support representatives from other areas such as legal advisors, healthcare or liaison and diversion services to ensure the movement and care of detainees complies with legislative, national and local procedures.
• Undertake ongoing risk assessments of all detainees entering the custody suite to mitigate threat, risk and harm to detainees and custody staff.
• Undertake a risk assessment prior to the release of all detainees to mitigate threat, risk and harm to detainees and members of the public.
• Identify and mitigate against any potential organisational risks relating to the custody suite to minimise the impact on both the Force and the custody suite.
• Monitor health and safety risks within the custody suite, acting as appropriate to mitigate potential health and safety risks.
• Supervise the custody suite team, managing wellbeing, welfare and development, and ensuring high levels of motivation to support the effective running of the custody suite.
• Supervise or lead the briefing of staff at shift changeovers and other appropriate times to ensure key information relating to the custody suite is communicated and that handovers are carried out appropriately.
• Supervise case files to ensure that they meet the required evidential standards.
• Undertake Evidential Review Officer (ERO) duties to ensure that case disposal is proportionate and the rationale for decision making is clearly recorded.
• Manage the Released Under Investigation (RUI) process to ensure investigations following release from custody are conducted within reasonable and justifiable timescales.
• Maintain oversight of the demographics of persons passing through custody to ensure any disproportionality is scrutinised.
• Review custody data and undertake quality assurance of records.
• Undertake Reporting Sergeant duties for Dedicated Detention Officers (DDOs).

Essential Criteria

The following criteria, including the behaviours below, will be assessed at application and interview:

• Actively demonstrates the City of London Police's core values of Integrity, Professionalism and Compassion.
• Able to set out logical arguments clearly, adapting language, form and message to meet the needs of different people/audiences.
• Able to manage the introduction of new business processes or ways of working at team level.
• Able to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes and mitigate risks.
• Able to develop and motivate a team and create strong engagement of individuals with their personal and team objectives, Force values, behaviours and strategic priorities.
• Able to review and assess individual and team performance against expected standards, providing objective and effective feedback and ensuring corrective actions are taken where necessary.
• Able to plan, allocate work appropriately within the team and identify and mitigate risks to delivery.
• Applicants must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality and have a good understanding of the Code of Ethics.

Desirable Criteria

• Good IT skills.
• Knowledge of the Force organisation and structure.
• Previous custody training/experience is beneficial (although training will be provided where required).

Knowledge Required For The Role

• An understanding of and commitment to the Force Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Good understanding of Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

Reporting Line

The successful candidate will report directly to the Custody Manager, Criminal Justice Services.

Selection Process

The application and interview will be tested under Level 2 of the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework.

Applicants who fail to address the skills, knowledge and experience requirements of the role will not be considered.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Copilot, is permitted to review and edit application responses for spelling, grammar and clarity.

However, all responses must accurately reflect your own skills, knowledge and experience and must not be generated by AI or contain plagiarised content. Applications found to include plagiarism or AI-generated content will be withdrawn.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact:

T/Inspector BRADY 0207 6012058 or email Deborah.brady@cityoflondon.police.uk

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 6th November @11:59pm

Eligibility to Apply

This vacancy is open only to those who have the right to work in the UK.

Internal Applicants

Please note that your application will not be considered without a completed endorsement form. Please ensure you leave enough time for your verifiers and senior leaders to complete their support of your application before the closing date.

Please note officers who are not within three 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