Custody Sergeant

**Post Title**:Custody Sergeant**

**Type of contract**:Full time**

**Rank/Grade**:Sergeant**

**Directorate/Department: Specialist Operations / Criminal Justice / Custody**

**Statement of expectation for the role**:2 year minimum commitment**

**Vetting level required**:SC/MV**

**Location: Bishopsgate**

**Salary: National Police Scales**

**Description of Department**:
Applications are invited from substantive sergeants to undertake the role of Custody Sergeant, within our Custody Cadre in the Specialist Operations of Criminal Justice Services.

The successful applicant will be required to perform the role of a Custody Sergeant within the dedicated Custody Cadre, working a 24/7 shift pattern.

They will form part of the wider Criminal Justice Services team which includes Custody and Administration Of Justice, reporting to DCI and Superintendent Criminal Justice Services.

Role Purpose

Working within our 15-cell custody suite in Bishopsgate Police Station your role will be to manage the custody suite as part of our 24/7 Custody Cadre. This will include ensuring that the custody suite is fit for purpose, ensuring that it is fully stocked and all the equipment and cells are of are in a good state of repair and fully serviced. Your primary responsibility will be for the care and welfare of staff, detainees and visitors to the custody suite. In relation to an arrested persons you will be responsible in deciding whether you have sufficient grounds to authorise or refuse the detention of any persons presented before you. In compliance with PACE you must ensure that all actions regarding the care and welfare of a detainee including any legal process are fully documented on the individuals custody record. You will also have a responsibility to ensure that while detainees are at the custody suite, police officers and police staff adhere to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice regarding the rights and treatment of persons arrested.

Key accountabilities
- Assist in the accurate and prompt maintenance of manual and computerised custody records, including undertaking Quality Assurance as needed, to ensure the integrity of data held and compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the PACE Codes of Practice and other applicable legislation and local and national guidance.
- Recognise and review all factors relating to the dignity and wellbeing of detainees to ensure these issues are given due consideration at all stages of their detention and release or transfer.
- Oversee/manage the process of completing antecedent forms, obtain fingerprints, photographs, DNA and other biometric samples.
- Oversee/ manage the completing of mandatory drug testing procedures from detained persons including all associated paperwork, whilst ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and local and national guidance.
- Oversee/manage the process of searching each cell before and after use to detect and arrange the repair of any damage caused, reporting, and following correct procedures to maintain a safe custody facility.
- Oversee/manage the process of physical searching of detainees, retaining and recording personal possessions and ensuring compliance with legislation and national and local policies and procedures.
- Undertake reviews of detention, chasing progress of investigation, reporting information to PACE Inspector to ensure that detainees are being detained in line with legislation, including accurately recording on the custody record all appropriate Release Under Investigation (RUI), bail and disposal decisions.
- Supervise visits by official representatives/agencies and ensure visits by relatives are continuously monitored to maintain security in the custody facility, in compliance with policy.
- Ensure that all cell visits for detainees in custody are completed to level identified during the initial or subsequent risk assessment and carried out as per APP and complete spot checks to ensure compliance.
- Support representatives from other areas such as legal advisors, healthcare or liaison and diversion to ensure the movement and care of detainees are met and comply with legislative and national and local procedures.
- Undertake, on an ongoing basis, risk assessments of all detainees entering the custody suite to mitigate threat, risk and harm to detainees and custody staff.
- Undertake a risk assessment prior to the release of all detainees to mitigate threat, risk and harm to detainees and members of the public.
- Identify and mitigate against any potential organisational risks relating to the custody suite to minimise the impact on the both the force and custody suite.
- Monitor health and safety risks within the custody suite, acting as appropriate to mitigate against potential health and safety risks in the custody suite.
- Supervise the custody suite team, managing their wellbeing and welfare, development and ensuring high levels of motivation to ensure the e