Investigation Officer

**General information**:

- Posting ID- PSR1JP00081404- Organisation- Home Office- Contract duration- To 31st March 2025- Workplace Type- Hybrid- Location- London**Description & Requirements**:
On behalf of The Home Office, we are looking for an** Investigation Officer **(Inside IR35) for a **contract up to 31st March 2025 on a hybrid basis **(1-2 days from any of the following sites**:Canary Wharf, Croydon, Cardiff, Birmingham, Sale, Wakefield**)

The first duty of Government is to protect the public. Since 1782, the Home Office has led work to keep the country safe from those who seek to do it harm; in doing so, we make a vital contribution to HM Government’s plan for a stronger, fairer, outward-looking and united Britain.

The Home Office covers three systems Homeland Security, Public Safety and Borders, and Immigration and Citizenship. These systems work collaboratively to deliver our cross-cutting priorities, whilst providing increasingly efficient and secure services for the public. These are difficult areas that can rapidly change in the global environment we work in - this makes us one of the most exciting and stimulating government departments in which to work.

**The role**:
As an Investigator, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive investigations team working locally and nationally on a wide range of IOPC investigations. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisations core outcomes and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of investigations, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson, overseeing the police complaints system in England and Wales and setting the standards by which the police should handle complaints. As a completely independent organisation, we seek to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The investigations teams are tasked with upholding our values whilst establishing the facts behind a complaint and reaching conclusions to draw recommendations.

As an Investigator, you’ll work on a variety of unique local and national cases that are often in the public eye. You’ll use your investigative, regulatory or inspection experience to take on this complex role. You’ll complete varied tasks - everything from analysing evidence and attending post-mortems, speaking to bereaved families and taking part in inquests. As an articulate communicator, you’ll make informed recommendations based on your findings - remaining calm in emotionally charged situations.

As a **Investigation Officer** your main responsibilities will be:

- Conduct investigations in accordance with agreed guidelines, including obtaining witness statements, interviewing witnesses and suspects, preparing casework and making recommendations for criminal and disciplinary action.
- Visit incident scenes and assist in supervising scene management ensuring that all necessary action is taken to preserve and recover evidence.
- Liaise with complainants and bereaved families to provide briefings on progress of investigations
- Attend post-mortems and brief pathologist as required
- Write investigation reports upon completion of investigation for submission to the assigned Regional Director for approval
- Prepare papers for submission to the Crown Prosecution Service and to Regional Director
- Liaise with other agencies and personnel as required.
- Take part in court, misconduct and associated proceedings where necessary
- Contribute to the provision of a 24 hour on call facility (please see attached document regarding expectations)
- Be prepared and able to work unsocial and extended hours, including working away from home and overnight stays when required
- Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade as may be required including the participation in the interchange of duties within the Directorate

**Essential**:

- Good general education or demonstrated through structured workplace development.
- Proven experience of conducting investigations in the public or private sectors, including recent experience of:

- Carrying out investigative interviews
- Evidence gathering, analysis and presentation
- Contributing to planning and scoping investigations
- Experience of making appropriate decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information
- Engaging effectively with people or groups from different backgrounds, adapting communication style as appropriate
- Proven experience of working effectively in a team environment.
- Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, including writing investigation reports
- Full driving licence valid for driving in the UK (You will