Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support custody colleagues and ensure safety in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, an inclusive and diverse employer.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £30,333 plus shift allowances and weekend enhancements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a rewarding role where no two days are the same.
- Qualifications: QCF Level 3 A-levels or equivalent experience; full manual driving licence required.
- Other info: Attend awareness sessions remotely to learn more about the role and application process.
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 information and insight into the role, its duties and expectations, as well as information on the recruitment process. The sessions will be run by a recruitment and central custody advisor who has extensive experience of the role.
If you consider yourself a resilient individual with good communication and people skills who can be challenged yet work well within a team of like-minded colleagues and would like a rewarding role where no two days are the same, book your space to find out more.
There will be roles available in Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight & Basingstoke. All roles will be permanent & full-time at 37 hours per week. Detention Officers are paid a starting salary of £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 evenings and weekends. Further information will be included in the 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 – 19:30
- Saturday 21 February 2026 at 10:00 – 11:00
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 email police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk.
Please do not submit an application form to this advertisement. You will be able to submit an application in due course after the awareness session has been completed and you have received an application link from us.
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 custody colleagues and maintain a high level of care and professionalism to those detained within the custody environment.
Detention Officers are uniformed support staff workers with certain policing powers within custody to execute duties and deliver a high level of service. Due to the complex environment you will need to be alert at all times, think on your feet and make informed decisions. You will complete the booking-in process into the custody suite and duties may include taking fingerprints, photographs and DNA, recording possessions and ensuring safety and security. During time in custody, you will regularly monitor a detainee’s condition and behaviour, assist with investigative procedures and preservation of evidence while maintaining safety and security of all personnel within the custody suite.
Assisting in detainee rights and entitlements, and assisting the custody sergeant in the release when required.
Successful candidates will undertake a minimum of six–seven week training course (Monday – Friday), which is assessed throughout. Training covers all aspects of the role and its place 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 have work experience deemed to provide a comparable level. Applicants must have a full manual driving licence and, although you’ll be posted to one of our custody centres, there may be occasions when you need 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.
Please note that the email address you supply when submitting an application will be used for contact throughout the full lifecycle of that vacancy. You will not be able to amend your contact details. Please ensure you choose an appropriately accessible email address, mindful that the process may take several months for some roles.
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 promotes flexible working, enabling officers and staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance while meeting operational requirements. 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 is 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 - HC623238 in Southampton 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 - HC623238 in Southampton
✨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. You never know who might have insights or connections that could help you land the job. Building relationships can be just as important as your qualifications.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay sharp and show your resilience! During the sessions, demonstrate your communication skills and ability to handle challenges. This will make you stand out as someone who’s ready for the dynamic environment of custody work.
✨Tip Number 4
After the awareness session, keep an eye out for the application link. We’ll send it your way, so be ready to apply through our website. Don’t miss out on this chance to kickstart your career as a Detention Officer!
We think you need these skills to ace Detention Officer February 2026 Awareness Sessions - HC623238 in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you dive into your application, make sure you attend one of our awareness sessions. It’s a great way to get the lowdown on what being a Detention Officer is all about and what we’re looking for in candidates.
Tailor Your Application: When it’s time to apply, don’t just send in a generic application. We want to see how your skills and experiences match up with the role. Highlight your resilience, communication skills, and any relevant experience that shows you can handle the challenges of the job.
Follow Instructions Carefully: Make sure you read all the instructions carefully when applying. We’ll provide a link after the awareness session, so keep an eye out for that. Don’t submit anything until you’ve got the right application link from us!
Use a Reliable Email Address: Since we’ll be contacting you throughout the recruitment process, use an email address you check regularly. This way, you won’t miss any important updates or information from us about your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before attending the awareness session, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Detention Officer. Familiarise yourself with the duties mentioned in the job description, such as booking-in processes and monitoring detainees. This will help you ask informed questions during the session.
✨Showcase Your Resilience
As a Detention Officer, resilience is crucial. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've faced challenges and how you overcame them. Be ready to share these stories during the interview to demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss situations where you've successfully communicated with others, especially in high-pressure environments. This will show that you can maintain professionalism and clarity when dealing with detainees and colleagues alike.
✨Prepare Your Documentation
Remember, you'll need to provide evidence of your education and driving licence at the interview stage. Gather these documents ahead of time and ensure they are easily accessible. This will help you feel more confident and organised during the process.
