Evidence Review Officer (Out of Court Hub) in Exeter

Salary: £38,169 rising to £42,612 per annum + Excellent Benefits including Government Pension

Hours per week: This role is 37 hours per week. However, we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and we are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.

About the role: The Evidence Review Officer (EROs) Out of Court Resolution Hub is a small team that reviews investigations to make decisions around the outcome of a crime, and whether an Out of Court Resolution (OoCR) is an appropriate disposal. The principal responsibility of the EROs is to review investigations to determine a realistic prospect of conviction and an appropriate resolution, either at Court, or an Out of Court Resolution, or whether a case should not be proceeded with.

Responsibilities:

• Gatekeep occurrences submitted from Police Officers across the force to decide on the appropriate investigative outcome for the OoCR hub.
• Undertake evidential reviews of the evidence, offending history, risk and severity of the offence, to decide on the suitable outcome of an investigation.
• Apply the Adult Gravity Matrix and accurately assess the Gravity Matrix Score as part of a comprehensive and detailed rationale that must be recorded.
• Undertake eligibility reviews to ascertain and confirm the eligibility criteria has been met to divert an offender towards Deferred Prosecution.
• Undertake timely and effective decision making and ensure this is fully recorded on all relevant CMS systems.
• Liaise with Officers and Supervisors to identify and challenge process or investigation failures, and determine appropriate outcomes (e.g., Charge to Court).
• Act as a single point of contact for advice and guidance on the use of all Out of Court Resolutions, including the appropriate use of Community Resolutions.
• Ensure policies, including relevant authority levels, have been sought and recorded to progress to an Out of Court Resolution, including liaison with Inspectors or Superintendents when required.
• Provide feedback to Officers and Supervisors on areas for improvement to enhance investigation quality and submissions for consideration of an Out of Court Resolution.
• Manage a caseload within core hours and respond to demand across each 24 hour period, ensuring swift access to justice for victims.
• Liaise with the Out of Court Resolution Team to problem solve cases as they progress.
• On non-compliance of Deferred Prosecution, undertake an independent evidential review to determine if there has been a breach and to proceed to Court, coordinating with the original ERO where needed.
• Support monthly tracking and recording of performance data for the ERO OoCR hub.
• Represent the ERO on Local Criminal Justice Board Scrutiny Panels, with liaison with CPS and Magistrates, to provide expert knowledge on the appropriateness of OoCR decisions and influence partners’ perceptions of policing decisions.
• Attend briefings across the force and produce guidance to upskill Officers regarding OoCR activity and Out of Court Resolutions knowledge.
• Engage with other departments to input into training and answer questions around decision making.
• Maintain an understanding of Diversion and related interventions across OoCR to target responses to reduce reoffending.
• Attend daily and weekly briefings with the ERO Sergeant, OOCR Manager and Senior Manager of Reducing Reoffending to discuss issues and support CPD.
• Undertake any other specific function as directed by Managers.

This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with or lower than the grade of the post. In some posts this might include ad-hoc guidance and informal training of new colleagues.

What you get if you join us:

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time workers).
• Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
• Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment of £5).
• Company sick pay.
• Job related equipment, as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
• Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
• Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities.
• Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
• Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).