Civilian Detention Officer

**Job Background**:
The Civilian Detention Officer’s (CDO) primary purpose is to assist the Custody Sergeant in the effective and efficient detention and administration of pre and post charge detained persons in police custody. The CDO will assist in ensuring the welfare and safety of detained persons and Custody staff. In doing so, the role holder will often be required to exercise reasonable force and restraint, in what is a physically demanding environment.

**Hours of Work**:
**Salary**: £22,519 - £23,955 (under review) plus premiums for shift and weekend working.

**Location**: Waterside - **Please note that at this stage current and future vacancies are anticipated for Waterside only.**

**Main Activities**:
**Coordination**
- Liaise, as required, with authorised contacts such as solicitors, doctors, custody visitors, appropriate adults, interpreters and relatives of detainees and notify the Custody Officer of all relevant information and ensure that custody records are kept accurate and up to date.
- Conduct/direct searches of detained persons where authorised, and ensure all property is correctly recorded in accordance with current policy and legislation.
- Carry out any necessary enquiries relating to the detained person and ensure that the Custody Officer is notified accordingly.
- Conduct/direct searches of cells and all rooms within the custody suite to ensure no articles are present that could be used to harm detained persons or others. Remove items from cells that a detained person has left after their detention and ensure all unnecessary items are removed from all rooms and disposed of accordingly.
- Undertake a range of sampling and testing procedures such as fingerprinting, drug testing, DNA, non-intimate samples, footwear photographing of detained persons and any other additional identification as directed by the Custody Officer.
- Take identification imagery.
- Order and supply meals to detained persons in accordance with food hygiene standards. Remove the remains of meals supplied from cells of persons still in detention.
- Validate results on the Livescan system.
- Receive detained persons’ property brought into the custody suite by other persons and record this in the custody record and store in accordance with suite protocols.
- Supply replacement clothing to the detained person as required and store the removed clothing.
- Create, update and review any warnings, flags, risks or issues relevant to the detainee that has/is pertinent to the well-being of the detained persons and inform persons who may come in contact with the detainee whilst being cognisant of confidentiality, Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation.

**Administration**
- Complete electronic records relating to detention/charge/release of detained persons as directed.
- Assist in prisoner processes, in line with procedures outlined in the Police and Criminal Evidence Northern Ireland Order 1989 (PACE), the Terrorism Act 2000, the Crime Sentences Act and NPCC Authorised Professional Practices.
- Assist in the preparation, completion and administration of all documentation, information and computer records/systems relating to persons in, or who have been in, custody including booking in of detained persons, custody and detention records including UKBA, immigration and Command & Control.
- Complete charge details, carry out initial assessment of risk and take action to minimise risk to the detained person, self and others.
- Search, update and maintain records and systems including filing systems, NICHE, property and bail records, warrants, performance indicators Criminal Records Office (CRO) checks and all other identification/background checks and associated forms, creating and recording Prisoner Escort Record (PER) forms, and make statistical returns and undertake administration for Court.
- Control stores, maintain stock records and maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in relation to the kitchen, storage area and equipment used for the preparation of meals.
- Monitor and record stock levels of detained persons’ clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, meals and all consumable items. Identify re-order requirements for approval to replenish stock and produce an end of month inventory report.
- Prepare and record numbers of blankets, towels and clothes items for collection and return by the laundry service provider.
- Order, and verify against invoices, various miscellaneous items required for the day to day running of the custody suite e.g. property bags, DNA kits, evidence bags, weapon tubes, interview tapes etc.
- Adhere to and follow all lawful guidance and directions of the Custody Officer.
- CCTV Custody downloading for use by PSNI/PONI.
- Carry out cell refresh duties at the direction of the Custody Sergeant and to the agreed standard.
- Carry out all functional inspections related to custody as directed by the either the Custody Officer or other police officer.

**Monitoring**
- Monitor CC