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Detention Officer careers

Although our recruitment campaign for Detention Officers has now closed, please keep checking back here for updates about future campaigns.

In order to express your interest and be notified ahead of future recruitment campaigns, please click the button below.

Express your interest 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?
Can’t commit to full time?

Dorset Police also recruits Relief Detention Officers as casual staff. You will be a fully trained Detention Officer who works on an ad hoc basis* to help with busy periods and to cover leave.

*Relief Detention Officers are required to attend the initial 5-week Custody training course on a full-time basis.
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.

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 £21,135 per annum pro rata, rising by yearly increments to £23,406 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
    Wednesday 12th January 2022 Eligibility and Application to apply via E-recruitment opens
    Monday 7th February at midday Eligibility and Application closes
    Week commencing 7th February Shortlisting
    Week commencing 14th February Interviews
    Week commencing 28th February Job-Related Fitness Test
    Monday 6th June 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