Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support custody operations and ensure the safety of detainees in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £30,333 plus shift allowances and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: QCF Level 3 A-levels or equivalent, plus a full manual driving licence.
- Other info: Comprehensive training provided with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
We will start recruiting for an exciting and diverse role of Detention Officers within custody. We are holding a number of awareness sessions to give potential applicants a chance to find out more about this role. These events will provide you with information and an insight into the role, its duties and expectations, as well as information on the recruitment process. The sessions will be run by recruitment and central custody adviser who has extensive experience of the role.
If you consider yourself a resilient individual who has good communication and people skills, where you are able to be challenged as an individual but also work well within a team of like-minded colleagues and would like a rewarding role, where no two days are the same… then book your space and find out more.
There will be roles available in Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight & Basingstoke. All the roles will be permanent & full-time at 37 hours per week. Detention Officers are paid, starting salary £30,333 per annum in addition you will receive a shift allowance and weekend enhancement which will add approximately £800 (depending on shifts worked) to your salary before tax per month. You will be required to work a shift pattern, comprising of evenings and weekends. Further information will be included in awareness session.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please click on the link of your preferred date to book a space via Eventbrite on one of the Awareness Sessions being held in February (please only book one time slot).
- Thursday 19 February 2026 at 18:30 – 19:30pm
- Saturday 21 February 2026 at 10:00 – 11:00am
Please note you will be sent a link for Microsoft Teams prior to your booked event. You will then attend the session remotely. There is no need to attend in person. If there are no available spaces on your preferred date, please send an email to police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk.
Please note that you must provide evidence of education and driving licence at interview stage. Everything will be covered in the awareness session and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
As a Detention Officer you will be based in one of our Police Investigation Centres, where you are an integral part of the running of the custody suite. You will provide support to your custody colleagues, also proving a high level of care and professionalism to those detained within the custody environment.
Detention Officers are uniformed support staff workers given certain Policing Powers within custody to execute your duties and deliver a high level of service. Due to the complex environment you will need to be alert at all times, thinking on your feet and making informed decisions. You will complete the booking in process into the custody suite and some of the duties but not limited to are, the taking of fingerprints, photographs and DNA, record their possessions and make sure they are safe and secure. During their time in custody, you will regularly monitor a detainee’s condition and behaviour, where necessary assist with investigative procedures and preservation of evidence whilst maintaining the safety and security of all personnel within the custody suite.
Assisting in the detainee rights and entitlements, also assisting the custody sergeant in the release, when required, of the detainee. Successful candidates will undertake a minimum of six – seven week training course (Monday – Friday), which is assessed throughout. You will receive training on all aspects of your role and where it sits within the Criminal Justice System, police IT & systems, personal safety training and emergency first aid.
You will need to be Educated to QCF Level 3 A-levels (or equivalent) OR work experience deemed to have brought the post-holder to a comparable level. Applicants must have a full manual driving licence and although you will be posted to one of our custody centres there may on occasions be a requirement to work at other locations which could include Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke or the Isle of Wight.
Please note that you must provide evidence of education and driving licence at interview stage. Everything will be covered in the awareness session and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is an inclusive employer and strives to have a workforce representative of the communities we police and serve. We recognise that we are not fully representative and are working to address this imbalance through a variety of initiatives.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is an equal opportunities employer that positively promotes flexible working, enabling officers and staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance whilst meeting operational requirements of the constabulary. We actively encourage applications to be made on a full time, part time or flexible working basis.
The Equality Act 2010 allows us to promote equality within Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary by adopting Positive Action to support people from under-represented groups. Our aim is to recruit talented people with a diverse range of skills and experience and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our Positive Action team are available to provide support through the application and assessment process by contacting: positive.action@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.
The Disability Confident campaign aims to remove barriers, increase understanding and ensure that people have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We will accommodate requests for reasonable adjustments where possible throughout our recruitment and promotions processes and encourage anyone requiring reasonable adjustments to disclose this at the earliest opportunity.
Detention Officer February 2026 Awareness Sessions - HC623239 in Newport employer: Hampshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Detention Officer February 2026 Awareness Sessions - HC623239 in Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to attend the awareness sessions! They’re a golden opportunity to get the inside scoop on what being a Detention Officer is all about. Plus, you can ask questions directly to the experts and get a feel for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Chat with other attendees during the sessions and connect with the recruitment team. Building relationships can give you an edge when it comes to landing that job.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to showcase your skills! Think about examples from your past experiences that highlight your resilience and communication skills. You want to show them you’re the perfect fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll have all the info you need right at your fingertips.
We think you need these skills to ace Detention Officer February 2026 Awareness Sessions - HC623239 in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you start your application, make sure you understand what being a Detention Officer is all about. Check out the awareness sessions for insights into the role and its expectations. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill!
Show Off Your Skills: When writing your application, highlight your communication and people skills. We want to see how you can handle challenges and work well in a team. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate these qualities!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your writing is easy to read. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the recruitment process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the duties and expectations of a Detention Officer. Familiarise yourself with the booking process, detainee rights, and the importance of maintaining safety and security in the custody suite. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Detention Officer, strong communication skills are essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you would handle challenging situations with detainees and colleagues. Use examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and non-verbally, in high-pressure environments.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Teamwork
The role requires resilience and the ability to work well within a team. Be ready to share examples of how you've overcome challenges in previous roles or situations. Highlight your teamwork skills by discussing how you collaborate with others to achieve common goals, especially in stressful circumstances.
✨Prepare Your Documentation
Since you'll need to provide evidence of your education and driving licence at the interview stage, ensure you have these documents ready and organised. This not only shows your preparedness but also helps the interviewers focus on your qualifications rather than paperwork issues.
