Jobs

Job Background:

The Custody 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: 

• The successful candidates will be required to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Current Shift Patterns include 12 hour shifts working 4 on and 4 off.  Shift patterns vary by location and are subject to review.
• There may be a requirement to work overtime as necessary.
• There will be requirement to work within custody suites at other locations possibly at short notice.

Salary: Currently £24,952 - £26,504 moving to £26,449 - £28,094 applicable from 1 August 2025 plus £1365 environmental allowance and premiums for shift and weekend working.

Main Activities:

The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

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 Practises.
• 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 CCTV systems, bringing any immediate concerns regarding detained persons’ welfare or any other activity that is untoward to the attention of the Custody Officer.
• Visit detained persons as required by PACE/other relevant legislation and policies to ensure that their welfare is maintained and notify the Custody Officer/Inspector if there is any change in the condition/demeanour of a detained person, particularly with regard to vulnerable or ‘at risk’ detained persons. Inform the Custody Officer immediately if there is any incident regarding the detained person or the custody environment and ensure records are continually updated.

Escorting

• Escort and supervise detained persons when they are outside their cell.
• Apply control restraint techniques if required in accordance with training, legislation and policy and with consideration for the security and safety of the detained person, self and others. 
• Arrange and accompany visits from the Police Forensic Medical Officer (FMO)/Healthcare professional, ensuring that all records are fully completed. Dispense prescribed medication as directed by the FMO, facilitate the safe administration of self-medication by detained persons as instructed and store medication. 
• Escort and supervise authorised visits into the complex such as those by solicitors, appropriate adults, interpreters and custody visitors. Facilitate the custody visitors’ requirements in line with the detained person’s wishes under the direction of the Custody Officer.
• Escort detained persons including possible driving to Courts, prison, hospitals and other police sites via use of cell van.

This Job Description reflects the main duties and responsibilities associated with this position. It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive. 

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

Experience must include evidence of your:

• Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Conflict resolution skill.
• Organisational skills including the ability to manage and prioritise work.
• Decision making and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with a strong focus on delivering and improving customer services.
• Resilience when dealing with difficult situations demonstrating courtesy, fairness and respect to a diverse range of customers.

The role holder must be 18 years of age upon appointment.

The role holder must successfully complete PSNI Custody courses. 

Essential Other

• The successful candidate must have access to a form of transport which will enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the job in full.
• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).

Shortlisting will be carried out based on essential criteria.

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising.  Please note that if successful, you will be contacted by email with further information relating to this process.

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence. 

Selection Methodology

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below. This will include both past and future focused questions.  Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their skills and experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Assessment

Values

• Impartiality
• Integrity
• Transparency

Competencies - Level 1

• We Are Emotionally Aware
• We Analyse Critically
• We Are Collaborative