PSIO - PPU RASSO Cold Case Team - 2-Year FTC/Secondment

West Midlands Police Sexual Offences Cold Case Review 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 2 years from April 2025 to March 2027.

The Sexual Offences Cold Case Team will review non-recent unsolved stranger rapes and sexual offences, with a view to establishing suitability for further forensic analysis to identify outstanding suspects. Working alongside the National Forensic Service archives you will review case files from the 1980s to the present day.

Working with the West Midlands Police, Major Crime lab and external Forensic service providers you will consider further investigative opportunities to identify suspects.

Using both Police and third-party sources of information, locate and support survivors of historic serious sexual offences. Using your investigative skills, you will build investigations using West Midlands Police IT systems through the criminal Justice process.

This is a new team and whilst it is anticipated that at the point the investigation is ready for a suspect to be arrested the investigation will be handed over to one of the Police RASSO teams, you should be prepared to be involved in the investigation process throughout, this may include interviewing suspects, preparing court files and attending court.

The role will be based in Birmingham. There will be a requirement to work from the Forensic service archives and a centrally based Police building. Flexibility exists to work from other Police sites when not required in Birmingham, however travelling expenses will not be paid to travel into Birmingham as required.

Key Responsibilities:

Principal responsibilities will include:

• Review previous unsolved rape investigations in order to identify forensic opportunities.
• Retrieval, and management of forensic exhibits.
• Liaise with Forensic Submissions Team and Major Crime Laboratory and prepare documentation for re-investigation of forensic material.
• Prepare investigation reports and undertake role as the investigating officer.
• Trace and Locate victim / witnesses.
• Complying with the victim's code, to Support survivors carrying out risk assessments, safeguarding plans and referral pathways.
• Plan and carry out witness interviews following the appropriate guidelines.
• Take written statements from witnesses following the guidelines to achieve best evidence in criminal proceedings.
• Ensure enquires are carried out expeditiously in accordance with investigation policy and relevant legislation.
• Prepare investigation plans and reports for Senior Investigation Officer, so that any identified suspects can then be managed.
• Secure and preserve the best evidence through thorough investigation, in order to detect crime and the prosecution of offenders.
• Comply with all relevant legislation, for example Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, Data Protection Act 1998 and all rules and guidance including the Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Procedures where applicable.
• Utilise all appropriate ICT systems to research, produce and submit statements, reports and intelligence logs.
• Obtain and secure evidence and exhibits maintaining their integrity, continuity and preventing contamination.
• Research and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current enquires, attending and contributing to briefings.
• Complete all documentation including actions and reports in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepare and submit case files of evidence ensuring evidential integrity and working alongside CPS and other relevant agencies.
• Attend Court and other hearings, as required, to give evidence.
• Undertake all required training and self-development.
• Be prepared to travel to complete investigative enquiries.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• 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.
• Flexible approach to problem solving.
• Requirement to hold a full UK driving license and be willing to pass the WMP driving test to drive unmarked Police vehicles if required.
• 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.
• 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:

• PIP 2 qualified.
• Previous RASSO experience.
• Knowledge of Project Soteria, and the Rasso National Operating Model.
• Previous experience in criminal law and criminal justice system.
• Working knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
• Knowledge of police policy and procedures in relation to the role.
• Experience of working in a multi-agency environment, working with partner agencies.

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.

Hours: Working hours to be confirmed.

Contact: For further information, please contact DI Scott Shaw at scott.shaw@westmidlands.police.uk or CI Lucy Kirwan at lucy.kirwan@westmidlands.police.uk.

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.

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.