Jobs

Job Background:

The Custody Detention Officer’s (CDO) primary purpose is to assist the Custody Sergeant in the effective and efficient detention and administration of pre and post charge detainees in police custody.

The CDO will assist in ensuring the welfare and safety of detainees and Custody staff. In doing so, the role holder will often be required to exercise reasonable force and restraint, in what is a physically demanding environment.

Hours of Work:  The successful candidates will be required to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. This role operates on one of two 12-hour shift patterns, worked over either a 4 or 8-week cycle.  Both patterns attract a 20% shift disturbance allowance and an additional premium for all Saturday and Sunday shifts worked.  Any future changes to the shift pattern will result in a corresponding adjustment to the allowance.  There may be a requirement to work overtime as necessary. There will be requirement to work within custody suites at other locations possibly at short notice.

Salary: £26,449 - £28,094 plus £1422 environmental allowance and premiums for shift and weekend working. 

Main Activities:

Coordination

• Liaise, as required, with authorised contacts such as solicitors, doctors, custody visitors, appropriate adults, interpreters and relatives of detainees and notify the Custody Officer of all relevant information and ensure that custody records are kept accurate and up to date. 
• Conduct/direct searches of detainees where authorised, and ensure all property is correctly recorded in accordance with current policy and legislation.
• Carry out any necessary enquiries relating to the detainees and ensure that the Custody Officer is notified accordingly.
• Conduct/direct searches of cells and all rooms within the custody suite to ensure no articles are present that could be used to harm detainees or others. Remove items from cells that detainees has left after their detention and ensure all unnecessary items are removed from all rooms and disposed of accordingly.
• Undertake a range of sampling and testing procedures such as fingerprinting, drug testing, DNA, non-intimate samples, footwear photographing of detainees and any other additional identification as directed by the Custody Officer. 
• Take identification imagery.
• Order and supply meals to detainees in accordance with food hygiene standards. Remove the remains of meals supplied from cells of persons still in detention.
• Validate results on the Livescan system.
• Receive detainees’ property brought into the custody suite by other persons and record this in the custody record and store in accordance with suite protocols.
• Supply replacement clothing to the detainees as required and store the removed clothing.
• Create, update and review any warnings, flags, risks or issues relevant to the detainee that has/is pertinent to the well-being of the detainees and inform persons who may come in contact with the detainee whilst being cognisant of confidentiality, Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation.

Administration 

• Complete electronic records relating to detention/charge/release of detainees as directed.
• Assist in prisoner processes, in line with procedures outlined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Northern Ireland Order 1989 (PACE), the Terrorism Act 2000, the Crime Sentences Act NPCC guidance and College of Policing Authorised Professional Practices.
• Assist in the preparation, completion and administration of all documentation, information and computer records/systems relating to persons in, or who have been in, custody.
• Complete charge details, carry out initial assessment of risk and take action to minimise risk to the detainee, self and others.
• Search, update and maintain records and systems including filing systems, NICHE, property and bail records, warrants, performance indicators, Criminal Records Office (CRO) checks and all other identification/background checks and associated forms, creating and recording Prisoner Escort Record (PER) forms, and make statistical returns and undertake administration for Court. 
• Control stores, maintain stock records and maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in relation to the kitchen, storage area and equipment used for the preparation of meals.
• Monitor and record stock levels of detainees’ clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, meals and all consumable items. Identify re-order requirements for approval to replenish stock and produce an end of month inventory report.
• Prepare and record numbers of blankets, towels and clothes items for collection and return by the laundry service provider.
• Order, and verify against invoices, various miscellaneous items required for the day to day running of the custody suite e.g. property bags, DNA kits, evidence bags, weapon tubes, interview tapes etc. 
• Adhere to and follow all lawful guidance and directions of the Custody Officer.
• CCTV Custody downloading for use by PSNI/PONI.  
• Carry out cell refresh duties at the direction of the Custody Sergeant and to the agreed standard.
• Carry out all functional inspections related to custody as directed by the either the Custody Officer or other police officer.

Monitoring 

• Monitor CCTV systems, bringing any immediate concerns regarding detainees’ welfare or any other activity that is untoward to the attention of the Custody Officer.
• Visit detainees as required by PACE/other relevant legislation and policies to ensure that their welfare is maintained and notify the Custody Officer/Inspector if there is any change in the condition/demeanour of detainees, particularly with regard to vulnerable or ‘at risk’ detainees. Inform the Custody Officer immediately if there is any incident regarding the detainee or the custody environment and ensure records are continually updated.

Escorting

• Escort and supervise detainees when they are outside their cell.
• Apply control restraint techniques if required in accordance with training, legislation and policy and with consideration for the security and safety of the detainee, self and others. 
• Arrange and accompany visits from the Police Forensic Medical Officer (FMO)/Healthcare professional, ensuring that all records are fully completed. Dispense prescribed medication as directed by the FMO, facilitate the safe administration of self-medication by detainees as instructed and store medication. 
• Escort and supervise authorised visits into the complex such as those by solicitors, appropriate adults, interpreters and custody visitors. Facilitate the custody visitors’ requirements in line with the detainees’s wishes under the direction of the Custody Officer.
• Escort detainees including possible driving to Courts, prison, hospitals and other police sites via use of cell van, or escort detainees to a room designated as a virtual court room within the suite and coordinate virtual court proceedings with court clerks.

The above reflects the main elements associated with this position and is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

Experience must include evidence of your:

• Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Conflict resolution skill.
• Organisational skills including the ability to manage and prioritise work.
• Decision-making and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with a strong focus on delivering and improving customer services.
• Resilience when dealing with difficult situations demonstrating courtesy, fairness and respect to a diverse range of customers.

The role holder must successfully complete PSNI Custody courses. 

The role holder must be 18 years of age upon appointment.

Essential Other

• The successful candidate must have access to a form of transport, which will enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the job in full.
• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook)

Additional Information

Appointment will be dependent on the individual satisfying the vetting requirements for the post which will vary according to the work area appointed to.  Please note that for all appointments there is a minimum requirement to have a three year checkable history immediately preceding the submission of a vetting questionnaire.

Shortlisting will be carried out based on essential criteria. 

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. 

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence. 

Selection Methodology

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below.

Further guidance and, information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website. Please use the 2024 CVF for this role.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Assessment

Values

• Courage and Integrity
• Respect and Empathy

Competencies – Level 1 

• We are Emotionally Aware
• We Analyse Critically