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Detention Officer recruitment now open

We are recruiting now for full-time Detention Officers to join our Police Family. Applications close on the 25 January at midday. To apply, click the button below.

Apply now

Awareness Events

We are holding online awareness events for the role of Detention Officer for Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police. This event will provide you with invaluable information about the role and recruitment process.

The events are on the following dates:

Saturday 14 January 2023 - 10:ooam-11:00am

Tuesday 17 January 2023 - 6:00pm-7:00pm

Click the link below to sign up for either date.

Awareness Events - Click Here

Day to day life of a Detention Officer

In this role you will be required to assist in the reception of detainees into custody, carry out a wide range of unsupervised duties to guarantee the safety, security and hygiene of the custody environment. Furthermore, you will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the welfare of the detainees and provide support to the Custody Officer.

This is a varied role where it is vital you can demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to remain resilient in the face of challenging situations.

Detention Officer

Find out more about the role of a Detention Officer below.

You will be responsible for the safety and welfare of detained persons, all the way through from their detention being authorised to the conclusion of the investigation and either their subsequent court appearance or their release from custody.

No two days are the same! You will be communicating with people under pressure whilst providing safer detention.

Do you:
  • Want an active, varied role?
  • Care about the protection of vulnerable people?
  • Enjoy communicating with a wide range of people and organisations?
  • Want to learn how to take samples, including DNA, Fingerprints and Photographs?
This job demands patience, resilience and a broad mind. You must be able to work as part of a team and to make decisions in situations which may be frustrating or distressing. Due to the nature of the work, it is also important that candidates are at a good level of physical fitness.

The role of a Detention Officer requires you to:
  • Use computer systems to document detention records.
  • Communicate in a concise and accurate manner.
  • Deal with a wide variety of challenging individuals and situations.
  • Conduct welfare assessments.
  • Staff must have a valid UK Driving Licence or the ability to travel around the county in order to escort detained individuals where necessary and to attend other Custody centres on occasion.
    • The commencing salary will be within Scale D, which is £23,100 per annum pro rata, rising by yearly increments to £25,353 per annum pro rata.

    In addition, Detention Officers are entitled to a 20% shift allowance and an enhancement can also be claimed for hours worked at weekends.
    Full time hours are 37 hours per week on a rolling shift pattern which includes weekends. The shift pattern includes a variety of shift times to ensure 24/7 coverage; Detention Officers work 10, 11 or 12-hour shifts in a 4-shifts-on and 4-days-off pattern.
    Date Stage
    Friday 6 January 2023 Eligibility and Application to apply via E-recruitment opens
    Wednesday 25 January 2023 Eligibility and Application closes
    Week commencing 30 January 2023 Shortlisting
    Weeks commencing 13 February 2023 Interviews
    6 March 2023 Job-Related Fitness Test
    19 June 2023 Custody course start date

    A workforce that reflects our communities

    Our ability to build trust, understand problems and support our communities across a range of policing matters, relies on us having a workforce that is reflective of our communities and all the unique individuals that exist within them. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity within our workforce and to eliminating discrimination.

    We are very keen to encourage applications from those that have never considered policing as a career. Representation within our workforce from black and minority ethnic communities and females is currently much lower than we want it to be; by improving this we will be better able to serve our local communities and our work place will benefit from all the differences in thinking, points of view, and approaches that diversity brings.

    In order to achieve this we are proud to pursue a policy of ‘positive action’.

    For further information and to register for this scheme please click the button below.

    Positive Action Support Our Current Vacancies