CLTF - PSIO (12 Month FTC/Secondment)

Prospective officers and 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 Major Crime Unit County Lines Taskforce are now recruiting for Police Staff Investigating Officers. The aims of the taskforce are to:

1. To close drug lines in line with Home Office requirements
2. Bring County Lines perpetrators to justice by increasing the consequences and decreasing the reward associated with county lines offending
3. Reduce the exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults ensuring appropriate safeguarding and support for county lines victims
4. Reducing and mitigating violence and Homicides linked to County Lines
5. Tackle the enablers of county lines (including telecoms/online, transport and illicit finance)

PSIOs work alongside the investigation teams gathering and securing evidence to support criminal investigations.

About the role

Working with the Sergeant, or Police Staff Equivalent, you will secure and preserve the best evidence through thorough investigation, in order to detect crime and the prosecution of offenders.

Responsibilities will include:

1. Obtain and secure evidence and exhibits maintaining their integrity, continuity and preventing contamination including forensic exhibits and digital devices
2. Prepare and submit case files of evidence ensuring evidential integrity and working alongside CPS and other relevant agencies.
3. Attend Court and other hearings, as required, to give fact and procedural based evidence.
4. Take written statements from witnesses following the guidelines to achieve best evidence in criminal proceedings
5. Research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current enquiries
6. Attend and contribute to briefings as well as supporting the training of other investigators

Measures will be taken to ensure enquiries are carried out expeditiously in accordance with investigation policy and relevant legislation, for example Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, Data Protection Act 1998, Digital Forensic good practice and all rules and guidance including the Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Procedures where applicable.

Qualifications

1. Essential
   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
2. Requirement to hold a full UK driving license and be willing to pass the WMP driving test to drive unmarked Police vehicles if required
3. Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection issues
4. Previous experience or knowledge of working within an investigative field where digital devices are involved
5. Previous experience of producing clear, concise and accurate reports

Desirable

1. Investigation and evidence gathering experience including Digital Media Investigations.
2. Previous experience in criminal law and criminal justice system
3. Working knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act
4. Previous experience and / or formal training concerning the examination of digital devices within an investigation
5. Knowledge of police policy and procedures in relation to the role
6. Experience of working in a multi-agency environment, working with partner agencies
7. PIP 2 Qualified

Location - Central Birmingham - Requirement to travel out of the force area, where necessary, to progress investigations.

Hours - Core Hours Mon-Fri 8am-4pm - demand dependent, hours may include change of shifts, weekend, and bank holiday working, potentially at short notice, for which you would be compensated accordingly.

Contact - For more information please contact Insps Mark Robinson or Lisa Yates-Laughton.

Vetting - 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.

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

Under the Probation Policy, if you are currently in your probation period, during your probationary period you will not be permitted to apply for alternative police staff roles within the Force unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases, you would require the support of your line manager prior to applying for alternative roles, and if successful, your probationary period will start over.

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.