Police Staff Investigator (PPU) in London

Prospective Staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

The West Midlands Police Complex Enquiries team is a newly established team. Applications are invited for a number of Police Staff Investigating Officers to be part of this exciting new role. These positions will initially be for a fixed term contract of 12 months.

The Complex Enquiries Team, led by a Detective Sergeant supported by 8 PSIOs, will be based at West Bromwich Police Station, West Midlands and follow a PIP4 investigative structure. Investigators will be supporting current and historic child abuse investigations along with other investigations across PPU. The team will support the wider investigation team, and will be supporting victims and witnesses, along with securing evidence for investigations at various stages of the judicial process.

Principal responsibilities will include:

• Exposure to evidence relating to Child Abuse.
• Locate, Trace and Support survivors of historic Sexual abuse, completing needs assessments and contact plans.
• Obtain witness evidence through written statements, or VRI.
• Undertake investigative enquiries, which include but not limited to taking of statements, conducting VRI's, search and seizure of investigative material, CCTV viewing, Forensic submissions, Intelligence research, suspect focused enquiries, suspect interviewing, file build and attendance at Court to give evidence and support judicial process.
• Ensure investigations are conducted inline with principles of project Soteria and the National Operating Model.
• Ensure compliance to EVOLVES principles in accordance with College of Policing APP guidelines.
• Manage personal workload - investigation of reported crimes and Holmes generated actions.
• Work in partnership with agencies, such as social workers, health professionals, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) or local equivalents, to develop networks, enable best use of resources, enable joined up approaches to services, and drive safeguarding of victims.
• Support the submission of quality case files via pre-charge advice files to CPS via either Early advice process, Early investigative Advice, Full code test green cases, or Threshold in custody red remand cases. Ensure appropriate review and submission of files through the correct gatekeeper meeting the DG6 compliance guidelines.
• Support and respond to CPS action plans.
• Travel within the UK to support enquiries.
• Engage and adhere with the WMP Conversation process, including the formation and regular review of personal, departmental and force objectives.
• At all times, act with the highest level of integrity and treat people fairly and with respect.

Essential

• PIP 2 qualified. (Must be fully accredited)
• Previous / current experience as DC or PSIO.
• Previous experience of Prosecutions through Crown Court.
• Previous experience of working with CPS and judiciary.
• Previous knowledge of forensic submissions and reporting processes.
• Previous experience of producing clear, concise and accurate reports.
• Experience of working in a Public facing role.
• Prepared to be exposed to images and reports of sexual child abuse.
• Flexible approach to problem solving.
• Current full UK driving license and be willing to drive unmarked Police vehicles.
• Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection issues.
• Be willing to successfully undertake any training requirements in respect of the role, which will include: Personal Safety Training, West Midlands Police IT Systems training, Competent IT skills, Connect, Holmes.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Self-motivation, self-management and decision making skills.
• Experience of effectively managing workloads.
• Experience of working effectively in a team.

Desirable

• Holmes exhibits and disclosure trained.
• Previous experience within PPU Child investigations.
• Experience of working within a Holmes Major Incident Room.
• DMI experience.
• ABE / VRI trained.
• Experience of West Midlands Police Connect File Management.

Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a hearing test.

Working hours: Mon to Friday 0800 x 1600. (Inc 42 min Break) Applicants should expect that some travel will be required to complete enquiries, this may involve travel outside of the West Midlands Police Area.

Interviews will close after the closing date.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a 'Disability Confident Interview Scheme' - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities.