Holmes Indexer Researcher in Chester-le-Street

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 2nd October 2026

Make a Difference – Join Our Team

We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals to join Durham Constabulary, helping to protect our communities and deliver an outstanding policing service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful work where your skills and commitment will make a real impact.

The Role

To accurately register, index and maintain investigative information and documentation within the HOLMES2 system, ensuring compliance with national standards and procedures. To raise and manage actions as directed by the Receiver and/or Reader, and to undertake research and information analysis in support of document and action management and the flow of intelligence/evidence. As part of our team, you will play a vital role in supporting operational policing and delivering high-quality services to the public. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will collaborate with colleagues and partners to achieve positive outcomes and uphold our core values of professionalism, integrity, and service.

What You’ll Do

• Process and index documentation relating to Major investigations, ensuring accurate data input drawn from all documentation coming into the incident room and following instruction from Management team.
• Conduct regular quality checks of indexed material, actions and HOLMES records to ensure accuracy, compliance and data integrity, identifying discrepancies to HOLMES Supervisor or Manager.
• Attend all relevant operational briefings/de-briefings, as well as case conferences with CPS, Prosecution Counsel and Expert Witness when required.
• Assist the enquiry team file officer, to prepare a comprehensive court file to be forwarded to CPS, in accordance with criminal justice system requirements and deadlines.
• Research HOLMES database to ensure continuity of evidence in respect of those exhibits identified as forming part of the prosecution case.
• Deliver high standards of service aligned with organisational priorities.
• Contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
• Work effectively as part of a team in a demanding but rewarding environment.
• Support continuous improvement and organisational excellence.
• Adhere to policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to work outside normal office hours and deploy to major incident room when required.
• Initial training requirement, may be out of force – 4 weeks.

What You’ll Bring

• 4 GCSEs including English Language or Literature and Mathematics (Grade 9 to 4/A to C) or an approved equivalent. An individual who possesses an equivalent e.g. NVQ must provide evidence of Math’s and English.
• At least 1 year experience of researching systems and retrieving usable information.
• A strong commitment to public service and our organisational values.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience for the role.

If you hold a higher qualification than those required above or minimum 5 years relevant experience, please evidence this on your application and it will be reviewed by our recruitment team.

Further information

Any offer of employment will be subject to appropriate vetting checks which will be maintained/updated throughout the period of service. Applicants must have been a UK resident for at least three years prior to the date of application. If applicants have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years and can provide a VERIFIABLE certificate from the police of any country where they have taken temporary residence. The certificate must indicate that they have not been convicted of any offence whilst in that country or involved in any investigation by a Law Enforcement Agency. Any tattoos deemed to be obscene, or advocates sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, by written word or design is prohibited and the presence of such a tattoo would preclude an applicant from passing the recruitment process for employment with the Constabulary.

We are committed to equal opportunities, we therefore encourage you to complete and return the equality monitoring form. This form is optional, and your responses will be kept confidential and for statistical purposes only. Candidates must have indefinite leave to work and live in the UK and be free from any restriction. Any successful candidate will be asked to provide evidence of this.

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