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- Tasks: Lead a team tackling serious public protection cases and support vulnerable victims.
- Company: City of London Police, committed to inclusivity and community safety.
- Benefits: Generous pension, free Oyster card, subsidised rail travel, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Detective with experience in Public Protection.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to improving community safety and support.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Type of contract: Permanent
Rank: Substantive DS (internals and externals) or Acting DS (internals only)
Eligibility: The role is open only for Internal A/DS or Substantive DS. All external officers must be substantive DS to apply.
Applications are invited from: Constables qualified for promotion to Sergeant, holding a valid OSPRE Part 1 and 2 pass, or valid OSPRE Part 1 or NPPF Pass.
Directorate/Department: Specialist Operations / PPU
Location: Bishopsgate
Salary: as per national police pay scale plus London Weighting and London Allowance
Overview: The Public Protection Unit (PPU) delivers a range of services across all areas of public protection. The unit spans most vulnerability areas, coordinates the safeguarding of vulnerable victims, undertakes complex investigations and is the point of contact for multi‑agency working and risk management. The unit prides itself on high levels of victim service and works closely with other areas of the City Of London Police to reduce the threat of harm to vulnerable children and adults. The unit requires strong leadership due to the diversity and responsibility of the portfolio.
PPU officers specialise in the following areas:
- Rape & Serious Sexual Offences
- Domestic Abuse, Stalking and domestic harassment
- Hate crime
- Child Protection, abuse and exploitation
- Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and FGM
- Sudden Childhood/Infant Death Investigations
- Managing registered sex offenders
- Investigation of CSAM/IIOC
- Vulnerable Adult abuse investigations
Purpose of the Role: The Public Protection Unit strives to improve the way in which the force looks after the most vulnerable in our communities with a specific focus on the 14 strands of vulnerability, encompassing Domestic Abuse, Adults at Risk, Child Abuse, Neglect and more. Domestic Abuse and VAWG is a large, priority area for the force and will always be a focus. The department is central to developing processes that are more efficient, better for victims of crime and to help officers on team effectively progress their investigations to achieve positive outcomes for victims.
Current or recent experience of working in a Public Protection environment is essential, as is a solid and demonstrable investigative background.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a team of PPU investigators and supervise their caseloads.
- Act as a point of contact for advice and guidance across the force in relation to all areas of Public Protection.
- Report to the Detective Inspector Public Protection Unit.
- Attend multi‑agency meetings.
Essential Criteria:
- Qualified as a Detective with proven investigative experience and background.
- Current or recent experience in a Public Protection Team or environment, including good working knowledge of relevant legislation covering Public Protection areas, such as Sexual Offences Act 2003, Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014, Domestic Abuse Act 2021, etc.
- Enthusiastic, victim‑focused and able to operate under pressure dealing with high‑risk and emotive cases.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to engage colleagues, partners and victims in a sensitive, patient and impartial manner.
- Professional, resilient and ‘can do’ attitude to the service.
- Willingness to be subject to mandatory psychological/occupational health screening.
- Willingness to learn and be an effective, committed team member within a successful unit.
- Flexibility around working hours where operationally required.
- Prepared to commit to a minimum of two/three years in the role due to the high cost of training PPU staff.
Types of Qualification(s) Needed:
- Current PIP2 SCAIDP (desirable)
- SSAIDP (desirable)
Contact & Application: If you would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact DCI Ali Marman – 07523 937288 ; Alistair.marman@cityoflondon.police.uk
Closing date for applications: Friday 28th February 2026 at 23:59. This vacancy is open only to those who have the right to work in the UK.
Internal Applicants Only: Please note that your application will not be considered without the completed endorsement form. Ensure you leave enough time for your verifiers and senior leaders to complete the support of your application before the closing date. Officers who are not within 3 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 within this Directorate.
The City of London Police is keen to promote flexible working and will, subject to operational policing requirements, proactively consider all applications to work flexibly. The City of London Police is committed to equality of opportunities and continuously strives for inclusivity within our Force. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities and long‑term conditions, those with Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic backgrounds, female candidates, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We strive to ensure all our information and services are accessible to and usable by everyone.
If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with HR via hrservices@cityoflondon.police.uk
Benefits: In return, we will offer a number of benefits including a generous pension scheme, a free Oyster card for London (TFL) travel and subsidised national rail travel, which allows you to travel within a 70 mile radius.
For further information please visit https://careers.cityoflondon.police.uk/working.
A diverse workforce improves the service we provide to our public by making us more approachable and relevant within our communities. This is why it’s vitally important that we recruit people from a wide range of communities and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural issues and a wide range of skills. We therefore particularly encourage female and people from Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities to join us.
The way we work is changing. With a few exceptions most roles will be able to accommodate part time, job share and flexible working patterns. We can also offer hybrid working patterns of home and office‑based shift patterns. Feel free to speak to us about any flexible working requirements.
The Force has a number of Staff Support Networks that can offer you support and advice. Applicants are very welcome to contact the networks directly if they need any support or ask any question before they apply. For further information on the networks and their contact details please visit https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/police-forces/city-of-london-police/areas/city-of-london/about-us/about-us/equality-and-diversity2/equality-and-diversity-support-networks/.
Detective Sergeant PPU in City of London employer: City of London Police
Contact Detail:
City of London Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Detective Sergeant PPU in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former PPU officers and ask them about their experiences. They can give you insider tips on what the role really entails and how to stand out in your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on relevant legislation and recent cases in public protection. Show us that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about making a difference in vulnerable communities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to engage with victims and colleagues sensitively, so role-play potential scenarios with a friend or colleague to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the City of London Police.
We think you need these skills to ace Detective Sergeant PPU in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role inside out. Familiarise yourself with the Public Protection Unit's responsibilities and the essential criteria. This will help you tailor your application to show how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Be Specific: When detailing your experience, be as specific as possible. Use examples that highlight your investigative skills and any relevant public protection work you've done. We want to see how you've made a difference in your previous roles!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm shine through! We're looking for candidates who are genuinely passionate about protecting vulnerable individuals. Share why this role matters to you and how you can contribute to our mission at the PPU.
Check Your Details: Before hitting send, double-check your application for any typos or errors. A polished application shows attention to detail, which is crucial in our line of work. And remember, apply through our website to ensure your application gets to us smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of London Police
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with key legislation relevant to the Public Protection Unit, such as the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show your understanding of the role and its responsibilities.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Detective Sergeant, you'll need to manage a team effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or handled high-pressure situations. This will highlight your leadership capabilities and your ability to support your colleagues.
✨Showcase Your Victim-Focused Approach
The role requires a strong commitment to victim service. Be ready to share specific instances where you prioritised the needs of vulnerable individuals in your investigations. This will demonstrate your empathy and dedication to public protection.
✨Engage in Multi-Agency Collaboration
Since the role involves attending multi-agency meetings, think about your experiences working with different organisations. Discuss how you’ve effectively collaborated with partners to achieve positive outcomes, showcasing your communication skills and teamwork.
