Investigating Officer, Professional Standards Department

at  Surrey Police

Division / Department - Professional Standards Department
Grade - Grade H
Status - Full Time or Happy to Talk Flexible Working
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £36,955 - £43,745
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford

CHIEF CONSTABLE TIM DE MEYER & CHIEF CONSTABLE JO SHINER

The Role & Key Responsibilities
PSD are excited to announce that we have a vacancy for an Investigating Officer to join our team.
The team are responsible for investigating complaints, allegations of conduct and any related criminal allegations against officers, staff and contractors.
The role involves managing a workload, overseen by a Detective Sergeant, and complying with Police Regulations and Police Staff disciplinary procedures. The role involves working closely with other departments in the force in both the investigation element of the role but also in managing officer and staff welfare and ensuring appropriate updates are given to those involved. Close working relationships are also key with both the Police Federation and Unison and therefore good communication skills are required.

The role in PSD is flexible but the successful candidate will be required to join the on-call cadre once training has been received.

• To work as part of the investigation team within the Professional Standards Department (PSD). To investigate complaints, internal misconduct enquiries and any related criminal investigations made against police officers, police staff, special constables and contractors.
• To provide advice and guidance, as appropriate to members of Surrey Police and the public regarding complaints and misconduct investigations procedures.
• To review public complaints and make decisions as to how to progress.
• To act with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness at all times, and practice an open style of behaviour that is consistent with business needs, in order to encourage an environment of commitment and trust.
• To act, as an individual investigator or as part of a team, in conducting investigations into allegations of conduct or criminal behaviour involving members of Surrey Police, and to support such investigations by identifying and disseminating issues of development and learning. Note: Occasionally you may be asked to be part of an external investigation team looking at a case in another police area.
• To manage the investigation of complaints and conduct taking part in the investigation as required made against police staff and where appropriate police officers, special constables and contractors. undefined.
• To manage the preparation of misconduct meetings and gross misconduct hearings and tribunal reviews, ensuring that they are carried out to a high standard, and to act as presenting officer at misconduct meetings for officers and gross misconduct hearings for police staff.
• To take responsibility for ensuring that the stringent guidelines set for misconduct and gross misconduct processes are met and the case presented for hearing within the prescribed time scales.
• To represent the force at external Employment Tribunals where appropriate.
• To effectively manage a dynamic workload reviewing and reprioritising work in conjunction with departmental priorities.
• To take responsibility for enquiries to gather evidence and take statements from witnesses and complainants. This may include collation of various documents/items as exhibits relevant to the investigation. To ensure that all available evidence is secured and that investigations are timely.
• To advise members of the public and other officers / police staff who telephone the Department, helping to resolve issues raised by taking the appropriate course of action.
• To share in the on - call rota duties - 1600 to 0800 weekdays, 24/7 on weekends and bank holidays.

For further role responsibilities please refer to the Job Description.
Skills & Experience

It is essential that the applicant:

• Has proven and well evidenced experience in an investigative role in a post that required collecting and collating evidence, including statement taking, and also organising large quantities of information into a logical well - presented format.
• Possesses a sound knowledge of criminal investigation techniques and has demonstrated an ability to use them.
• A good working knowledge of, or the ability to gain a good working knowledge of, the designated powers.
• Possesses a sound knowledge of current criminal law, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, Human Rights Act, and Investigative procedures.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal skills and can work closely with and respect the needs of people at all levels in the organisation.
• Possesses excellent communication skills both oral and written in order to produce clear, concise, accurate and logical reports and presentations. undefined.
• Possesses an enquiring mind and can demonstrate the strength of character required to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Is computer literate, and has experience of Microsoft Products, and the ability to learn the use of the various systems in use throughout the force.
• Is able to analyse, assess and make decisions from large volumes of written and electronic information.
• Has responsibility for working unsupervised or as part of a team, work under pressure and to meet deadlines set for gross misconduct and Employment Tribunals. Have a methodical approach to work.
• Holds a full and valid driving licence for motor cars.
• Has a flexible positive attitude to changing priorities and deadlines with an ability to adapt and manage change at short notice and having the skill to deal with several issues at once. To manage a workload ensuring all investigations are progressed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Possesses a high level of integrity, diplomacy, tact, and confidentiality given the sensitive nature of the issues dealt with in the department. (Will need to pass vetting accordingly).
• 3.14 Has an excellent knowledge of equality and diversity issues in the working environment.
• 3.15 Understands data protection issues to ensure that information is handled correctly.

It is desirable that the applicant:

• Possesses a sound knowledge of Police Regulations
• Has achieved PIP Level One accreditation or is working towards accreditation at that level or equivalent.
• Has knowledge of the Police complaints process
• Possesses a sound knowledge of Police Staff discipline, grievance procedure and associated employment law.

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 flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. 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 flexi-time and 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

Diversity Statement
We 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 the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and 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.
Additional Information
Following 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@surreysussexpolice.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.
Job Detail
Reference number

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’ Message
We 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.

The role in PSD is flexible but the successful candidate will be required to join the on-call cadre once training has been received.

• To work as part of the investigation team within the Professional Standards Department (PSD). To investigate complaints, internal misconduct enquiries and any related criminal investigations made against police officers, police staff, special constables and contractors.
• To provide advice and guidance, as appropriate to members of Surrey Police and the public regarding complaints and misconduct investigations procedures.
• To review public complaints and make decisions as to how to progress.
• To act with integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness at all times, and practice an open style of behaviour that is consistent with business needs, in order to encourage an environment of commitment and trust.
• To act, as an individual investigator or as part of a team, in conducting investigations into allegations of conduct or criminal behaviour involving members of Surrey Police, and to support such investigations by identifying and disseminating issues of development and learning. Note: Occasionally you may be asked to be part of an external investigation team looking at a case in another police area.
• To manage the investigation of complaints and conduct taking part in the investigation as required made against police staff and where appropriate police officers, special constables and contractors. undefined.
• To manage the preparation of misconduct meetings and gross misconduct hearings and tribunal reviews, ensuring that they are carried out to a high standard, and to act as presenting officer at misconduct meetings for officers and gross misconduct hearings for police staff.
• To take responsibility for ensuring that the stringent guidelines set for misconduct and gross misconduct processes are met and the case presented for hearing within the prescribed time scales.
• To represent the force at external Employment Tribunals where appropriate.
• To effectively manage a dynamic workload reviewing and reprioritising work in conjunction with departmental priorities.
• To take responsibility for enquiries to gather evidence and take statements from witnesses and complainants. This may include collation of various documents/items as exhibits relevant to the investigation. To ensure that all available evidence is secured and that investigations are timely.
• To advise members of the public and other officers / police staff who telephone the Department, helping to resolve issues raised by taking the appropriate course of action.
• To share in the on - call rota duties - 1600 to 0800 weekdays, 24/7 on weekends and bank holidays