Investigation Support Officer

Main purpose of the role:

Undertake and assist in investigations taking on key roles within each investigation such as: researching; gathering and obtaining evidence; gathering and recording intelligence; liaising with Children Social Care; undertaking joint investigative actions with statutory partners; and attending child protection case conferences by a variety of means.

The ISO will conducting a range of investigative and safeguarding duties, in order to secure best evidence and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations undertaken by the Department.

Main responsibilities:

• Interview witnesses and victims of crime, assisting in regard to suspect interviews, taking high quality, accurate statements for inclusion into case files and undertaking assessment of the veracity of statements and the potential reliability of witnesses in Court in order to ensure evidence is correctly captured and recorded to support investigations.
• Coordinate and manage the seizure and viewing of CCTV, viewing material, analysing information, and recording elements in comprehensive reports of evidential and intelligence value; coordinate house to house enquiries in order to support investigations and provide evidence in person at court as required.
• Undertake a range of investigative research through relevant systems and procedures, maintaining accurate records, analysing information, and producing a range of reports, in order to support the investigation of offences by the department.
• Where necessary, support and liaise with victims and witnesses of crime, providing information and updates in relation to case progress and signposting them to the appropriate person, in order to ensure that they receive appropriate support and also to assist in progressing investigations.
• Assist in searches, and act as exhibits officer when appointed, ensuring the integrity of evidence retrieved, recording receipt of exhibits, organising the storage and appropriate security of exhibits, including the handling of hazardous materials and returning items when authorised to do so, in order to ensure the continuity of evidence and the correct recording of physical evidence and property.
• Submit complete and correct paperwork observing the highest professional standards, within set time limits and ensure evidential integrity through the collection of all relevant documentation, information or data that will be required by the officers to form an overall picture of the circumstances of the case.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and force policy, for example criminal law, PACE, CPIA and RIPA, in order to ensure investigations and documentation is of the highest standard and complies with such legislation and policy.
• Ensure good communication and sharing of information with children\’s social care, to ensure that child protection case conferences are attended, joint investigative and safeguarding actions are completed, and 3rd party material is obtained and viewed.
• Conduct safeguarding actions as required, as part of the investigative process to ensure risks presented to victims, witnesses and suspects are mitigated.

Necessary experience:

The post holder will also be required to complete a Personal Development Portfolio evidencing their competency against the criteria of the role of an Investigation Support Officer.

It is desirable that the post holder will have recent experience of safeguarding vulnerable persons, in order to undertake such actions during the investigative process.

It is desirable that the post holder will have recent experience of criminal investigations, conducting interviews and taking statements in investigative process, with both adults and children.

The post holder must have a high degree of flexibility to accommodate operational needs, be highly motivated, pro-active and possess excellent communication skills in order to deal with a wide range of situations and people throughout the spectrum of society, involving officers, members of the public and other organisations.

The post holder must also have the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and statutory partners.

The post holder must be able to effectively prioritise their workload and able to work without close supervision, have the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, manages multiple customer requirements and cases simultaneously. Therefore proficient organisational skills are essential.

The post holder must have good working knowledge of IT applications and systems with the ability to use Microsoft Office products.

Ideally the post holder will have a good working knowledge of specific force intelligence systems such as Athena and PNC, although training can be provided.

A high level of integrity is required due to the confidential and sensitive material dealt with by the post holder, with post holders expected to undertake a pre-employment health surveillance questionnaire prior to acceptance within the post.

The post holder will be required to travel as part of their duty and therefore a full clean UK driving licence is essential.

The role requires the post holder to be flexible. The post holder may be requested to work extended hours at short notice as required in order to support urgent operational needs, with a requirement to start at other designated locations as required.

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