Detention Officer

Being a Detention Officer takes patience, understanding and tons of resilience. But if you take pride in what you do, wanting to give due care and attention to someone who's been abusive or violent towards you, providing an ear to someone who's vulnerable and in need, you'll find this an exceptionally rewarding and varied role. The role of the Detention Officer in our custody suites cannot be underestimated - not only are you an integral part of the team who maintain a safe and professional environment, you provide a lifeline to detainees who may be facing one of the most difficult times of their lives. If you can do all of this and still shrug off your experiences at the end of the day, you'll be rewarded with an immensely satisfying job that's never dull, as well as the opportunity to make a real difference to the community. There are currently full time and key time positions available and successful candidates will work a range of day and late shifts. What you'll do As a Detention Officer you will work within Northumbria Police custody suites providing support to custody officers, police investigators, and both internal and external stakeholders. You will be dealing with a range of individuals - some being the most challenging and vulnerable in society. You will be the first point of contact in the suite for both officers and detainees and will be responsible for managing risks and assessing vulnerabilities 24/7, 365 days a year under the supervision of Police Sergeants. You will assist in the preparation, completion and administration of all documentation, information and computer records relating to persons in custody to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and operational accuracy, as well as responding to dynamic situations that will require you to think fast and act professionally. You will be responsible for obtaining evidential photographs, fingerprints, and DNA from detainees. You will be given training on safe handling of detainees, and various IT systems. You will provide a visible presence and be the face of Northumbria Police Detention, adhering to the Code of Ethics and Northumbria Police's Values in the presence of 24/7 CCTV. Respect for others regardless of their race, age, background, or reason for arrest is essential. It is vital that a Detention Officer has high professional and ethical standards, good communication skills, can work as part of a team, has resilience of character, is diligent and takes pride in the level of service they provide. You will work alongside Custody Sergeants who have responsibility for the custody suite and who will be your immediate supervisors. Sound interesting? For further information please view the Job Description, We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview. If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via jointeamnp@northumbria.police.uk for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly. If your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance and medical information.

You don't need to have done this type of role before - life skills are more important than specific qualifications. The role requires good communication skills, sound record-keeping, common sense, resilience, and a desire to make the custody suite a safe place to be. You'll need to be able to stand up for yourself and deal with confrontational situations, but you'll never be alone - there will always be police officers and other support staff on hand to help. When the going gets particularly tough, you'll appreciate the camaraderie that makes working in this environment so unique.

• You will be IT literate, full of initiative and have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong customer focus, passionate and committed to helping others
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities
• You must also be willing to work at other locations in line with operational demand. For this reason, a full UK driving license, or demonstration you're working towards obtaining full license is considered essential.
  
  Training
You will complete a four-week course of formal training. This is undertaken on a full-time basis at Ponteland. It's designed to give you a solid understanding in the essentials of a Detention Officer, and you will be legally designated to carry out certain police powers like searches and the taking of fingerprints and DNA. You will also receive officer safety training, which includes de-escalation and restraint techniques, as well as first aid training to College of Policing standards. Our next training course is scheduled for February 2025. What we offer + 26 days' leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays + NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme + Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave + Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs + Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours) + Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution + Corporate travel schemes - local rail, bus services and metro discounts + Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers + Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets + We've invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support + Access to gyms in some stations + Sports & Social Club - join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel + Cycle to work scheme Just so you know, This is a permanent role subject to a six-month probationary period and a 24-month commitment to post.