Information about the role of a detention officer, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A detention officer is a custody position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The role of the detention officer is to assist police in processing people who have been arrested and detained in a police custody suite. The detention officer also has responsibilities relating to the care and welfare of the detained person.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Assisting custody sergeants with the administration and operation of the custody suite, as directed. Including the completion of mandatory aspects of the booking-in procedure for detainees, using force and national IT systems, searching, securing of property, taking of fingerprints, photographs, and DNA samples, if necessary, by force. Ensuring accordance with relevant legislation and force policy.
- Recognising and reviewing all factors relating to the dignity and well-being of detainees, giving due consideration to any issues that arise. Ensuring detainees' safety and welfare needs are met throughout their detention, release, or transfer.
- Preparing and serving food and drinks, as required, for detained persons and other items as requested, ensuring compliance with food hygiene regulations and maintaining the welfare and decency of the detainee.
- Monitoring the custody suite environment, reporting issues, ensuring the general cleanliness and hygiene of the custody facility.
- Undertaking and assisting with searches of detained persons and cells to maintain a safe custody facility.
- Undertaking the gathering of biometric samples from detainees in line with legislative requirements and national and local guidance to ensure their evidential value.
- Performing regular scheduled checks on detained persons in cells and notifying the custody sergeant of any changes in behaviour or well-being of detainees, so that any welfare concerns are identified.
- Undertaking constant monitoring of detainees, either in person or via CCTV as required by applicable legislation, ensuring the health and well-being of those detained.
- Supporting 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.
- Receiving, recording and storing detainee’s property in compliance with force policy and data protection legislation, to ensure the accurate return and/or transfer of property.
- Assisting police officers in the execution of their duties and/or restraining detainees, as directed, to ensure the safety and security of those within the facility.
- Recording accurately all movements, care and treatment of detainees, to ensure compliance with PACE codes of practice.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following standards, training and qualifications should be met.
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- None specified
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
- Complete all core training and learning required by the force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- maintaining currency of College of Policing guidance, good practice and any local policy applicable to the operational police context
- maintaining and updating key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legislation policy and practice relating to custody and detention
- maintaining knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence-based policing research and problem solving, merging these into working practice
- undertaking learning and assessment related to additional policing powers conferred on them by their chief constable according to force needs
Related roles
You can find other service deliverer roles in the: