PS/1150/H Detention Officer

Hertfordshire Constabulary currently has vacancies and projected vacancies for detention officers. Working as part of a team in support of custody sergeants, detention officers carry out a multi-functional role within very busy custody units. Hertfordshire Constabulary has two custody suites, at Hatfield and Stevenage, but is part of a collaborated unit which also covers Bedfordshire. The custody units are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The custody department is managed collaboratively by a senior management team who manage custody units across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Custody staff are supervised locally by custody sergeants and dedicated custody inspectors. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Ensuring that persons in police detention are afforded their rights and entitlements and are cared for and treated ethically and in accordance with legislation and Home Office rules. The reception of police detainees involving the creation of computer records to book persons into police custody and the recording of actions and activities during detention. Ensuring the welfare needs of detainees are met through the development and implementation of a care plan. Monitoring multiple detainees and responding to individual needs. Taking fingerprints, DNA and photographs of detainees. Maintenance of custody, including safety checks and cleanliness of the facility. Successful candidates will be able to display the following: An ability to work under pressure. Resilience and flexibility. Patience and compassion. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. An ability to treat individuals fairly regardless of circumstance. An ability to work as part of a team. An eye for detail. Basic computer literacy. Detention Officers are expected to work within a shift pattern, including nights and weekends. The ability to travel independently to other custody suites within Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire (with notice) is essential, as you may be expected at times to travel to other custody stations to cover staff abstractions. The application process will include an interview as well as medical and fitness assessments. Fully paid training to carry out the role will be provided. For the purpose of this application you are expected to evidence against the competencies in the role profile (maximum 500 words per answer). The competency part of the application form asks you to provide specific examples from your recent past of situations you have encountered (questions 1 to 3). Your answers will be used to decide if you progress to the next stage of assessment. We are looking for specific behaviours that research has shown are essential to the work of a detention officer. The more of these behaviours we see, the more likely you are to be invited to the next stage of assessment. It is, therefore, important that your answers describe in some detail what you said and did. Do not generalise about what you usually do. • You should read the questions fully and choose your examples very carefully. • Answer all of the questions. If you leave a question blank or tell us that you cannot think of an answer, it is very unlikely that you will pass. • In all parts of the form, please write clearly and concisely. If we cannot read it or understand it, we cannot score it. Pay attention to your spelling, punctuation and grammar. You are being assessed throughout this part of the application form on your written skills. We also expect your examples to be succinct and fluently written, as any police report would need to be. • Avoid using jargon or slang terms. Remember that this is a formal application for an important and responsible job. • You can use examples from your work, social, domestic or educational life. • Try to use examples that you found difficult or challenging to deal with. They tend to achieve better marks. • Write in complete sentences, rather than notes or bullet points. • You must not add extra sheets, write outside the space provided or write between the lines. No marks will be given for evidence outside the space provided. • The application must be all your own work. No more than 500 words per answer. Please note, if you are shortlisted, you will be expected to evidence against the competencies detailed in the role profile during your interview. Please note that, due to the covid-19 situation, interviews may be held remotely via skype. You will be provided further details if you are shortlisted. The interviews will be held during the week commencing 20 April 2020. All internal staff from Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Hertfordshire Constabulary including agency workers and special constables (but excluding volunteers and individuals who have a tenure clause in their current role), are eligible to apply for this post. Police staff at risk of redundancy are given priority for all vacant posts. Any individuals in a redeployment situation who are interested in applying for this role should contact their nominated HR advisor as soon as possible. If you are currently protected under the multiple impact mechanism, please contact your HR advisor prior to applying for this post to see how it may affect your salary. Police officers who accept an offer of a police staff role will need to retire as an officer and if they are currently on the 30 Scheme, will need to leave that scheme. Police officers considering retirement and being re-employed as police staff are required to read the attached Briefing Note as it contains important tax information regarding retirement and pension payments. Due to this role involving shift work, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment by the Occupational Health and Safety Department. Successful candidates will be placed in a pool to fill actual and projected vacancies over the next 12 months. There will be a five-week training programme followed by a period of mentoring in the workplace.