Head of Physical Forensics

**Job Title**: Head of Physical Forensics

**Salary**: Competitive Salary

**Location**: Lambeth

**Forensic Excellence, through innovation and partnership.**

Forensic Services is aligned to the strategic objectives of the Commissioners turnaround plan, providing an essential and critical contribution to the investigation of crime and the administration of justice, through a wide range of technical and scientific expertise to investigate, detect and reduce crime.

As an integral part of the Metropolitan Police Service, Forensic Services contributes significantly to making London safer by delivering an operating model that enables Police Officers to access key forensic tools and services. From kiosk download of digital devices through to expert services in biology and trace evidence, firearms, drugs analysis, specialist imaging, evidence recovery, exhibit analysis, friction ridge detail comparison and digital examination; forensic services are provided by a talented and diverse workforce who give critical impartial evidence in court.

The service employs one of the largest bodies of police staff within the Metropolitan Police Service and is the largest forensic organisation in the United Kingdom, within both Policing and the commercial sector.

**Role of Head of Physical Forensics**

**As a Member of the Forensic Services Senior Leadership Team, you will**:

- Provide visible, approachable leadership to all the forensic staff in the MPS.
- Shape and develop the delivery of forensic services to the investigation of crime and the reduction of harm to the public, and ensure criminal cases are dealt with justly.
- Drive performance improvement and ensure the achievement of the Directorate business objectives including achievement of agreed service levels within the overall MPS performance framework and relevant Service Level Agreements.
- Represent the Directorate of Forensic Services at senior level within the MPS and with external agencies contributing to the achievement of wider MPS and national initiatives.
- Demonstrate effective visible safety leadership, understand H&S policy and lead compliance within area of responsibility.
- Implement the principles and requirements of H&S policy in your day-to-day activities and within the teams you work/manage.
- Encourage open dialogue and feedback on safety issues.
- Ensure the effective operation of the Forensic Services Quality Management System including maintenance of accreditation and compliance with the requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Statutory Code.
- Ensure the effective operation of the competency framework and professional development programme for forensic practitioners and managers.

***Responsibilities Specific to Head of Physical Forensics**
- Responsible for the strategic development of the vision and objectives for physical forensic science, ensuring strategic alignment with the Commissioner’s Turnaround Plan.
- Lead, manage and coordinate the efficient and effective provision and delivery of physical forensic science to support MPS investigations.
- Responsibility for establishing customer requirements and implementing an effective performance framework for delivery, taking into account demand, capacity, service levels and quality required.
- To provide oversight and ensure the effective integration of in-house and external provision of physical forensic science to maximise efficient and effective operational delivery.
- To ensure the effective integration of all physical forensic science laboratory activities with other operational forensic services (Biometrics, Digital and Front Line) to maximise efficient and effective operational delivery.
- Ensure the strategic response, formulation and implementation of policy, procedures, and guidelines for all aspects of work to satisfy MPS requirements, requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator including compliance with the Regulator’s Statutory Code, including accreditation to international standards where applicable. This includes maintenance and extension of ISO 17025 accreditation.
- Ensure the completion of audit and inspection processes and the investigation and resolution of complaints and necessary improvement actions addressing quality of service issues.
- To define future requirements of physical forensic science activity and to ensure effective integration of these requirements with the work of the Continuous Improvement Team, both in delivering continuous Improvement and in setting the user requirements for innovation in this area.
- To oversee and ensure the professional development of staff ensuring the skill base and achievement of competence provide the capability needed to deliver services, and that those staff who act as expert witnesses within the Criminal Procedure Rules discharge their duty within the criminal law efficiently and effectively.
- Proactively manage the performance, attendance, and wellbeing of staff against the required standards to ensure th