Major Crime Review Officer in Devizes

About us

At Wiltshire Police, we are dedicated to making our community a safer place for everyone. Our team is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service. We believe in creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every member can thrive and make a meaningful impact. Join us, and be part of a team that values courage, compassion, and dedication to public service. Help us to keep Wiltshire safe.

Wiltshire has lots of layers - prehistoric stones, wartime bunkers, secret trails and hidden churches. But behind all of that, keeping our community safe across the years are generations of quiet police work. Some of it heroic, some of it worrying, but all of it real. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, and we’re committed to building an inclusive, diverse community that celebrates and welcomes everyone.

About the role

To provide an independent, objective, and professional review of serious and major crime investigations, ensuring compliance with national standards, identifying investigative opportunities, risks, and learning, and supporting continuous improvement in investigative practice. The role contributes directly to improving outcomes for victims and maintaining public confidence.

What you will be doing

• Review of Major and Serious Crime Investigations
• Conduct structured and proportionate reviews of major crime investigations (including homicide, complex serious violence, and other serious offences) as directed by the Detective Superintendent.
• Assess investigative strategies, decision‑making, and compliance with policy, identifying strengths, risks, gaps, and missed opportunities.
• Provide clear, evidence‑based recommendations to improve investigative effectiveness.

Tasking and Governance

• Receive and act on review taskings from the Detective Superintendent, ensuring prioritisation aligns with organisational risk and threat.
• Provide timely updates and written reports to the Investigations DCI and senior leadership.
• Support governance structures (e.g. force review panels, gold group meetings) by presenting findings and professional advice.

Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure investigations comply with College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and Disclosure obligations (CPIA 1996).
• Identify areas of non‑compliance and provide practical recommendations to mitigate risk.

Learning and Organisational Improvement

• Capture, analyse, and disseminate organisational learning from reviews.
• Contribute to force‑wide debriefs, learning reports, and continuous improvement plans.
• Support the development of investigators through feedback, mentoring, and best practice guidance.
• Promote innovation and evidence‑based policing approaches.
• Identify operational, reputational, and legal risks within ongoing or concluded investigations.
• Escalate significant risks promptly through the Investigations DCI to the Detective Superintendent.
• Provide independent assurance that critical lines of enquiry have been pursued or appropriately closed.

Partnership and Professional Engagement

• Liaise with internal departments (e.g. Professional Standards, Legal Services, Intelligence Units) and external partners where required.
• Maintain awareness of national developments, emerging threats, and changes in legislation or professional practice.

National Requirements & Professional Standards

• Operate in line with College of Policing APP for Major Investigation and Public Protection.
• Demonstrate understanding of MIRSAP principles and HOLMES-based procedures.
• Apply the National Decision Model (NDM) consistently.
• Maintain awareness of HMICFRS recommendations relating to investigative standards.
• Support compliance with CPIA (Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996) and disclosure best practice.
• Uphold the Code of Ethics for Policing.

Skills and Experience

• Proven investigative experience in serious and complex crime and have completed the PIP3 programme.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience of reviewing investigations or providing quality assurance.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior officers.
• Sound knowledge of investigative processes, policy, and legislation.
• Training in structured review methodologies (e.g. peer review, cold case review).

Personal Qualities

• High levels of integrity, independence, and professionalism.
• Ability to challenge constructively and provide objective scrutiny.
• Resilience and the ability to manage sensitive and complex material.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and victim‑focused policing.
• Written review reports with clear findings and recommendations.
• Briefings to senior officers and governance boards.
• Contributions to organisational learning and improvement frameworks.

Note: all roles will be subject to a vetting procedure, and some roles due to the nature of their work will require additional security clearance.