HOLMES Manager

The HOLMES Manager is responsible for all matters relating to the HOLMES2 system, both during an incident and also the day-to-day working of the system. They are responsible for the provision of training and providing support for the operation of the HOLMES2 system, acting as an intermediary between a Major Incident Room (MIR) and the force IT department. They may also have line management responsibilities for all those within the HOLMES unit.

• Support the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and the wider MIR in the use of the appropriate HOLMES2 functions.

• Provide HOLMES2 technical support during an investigation and keep all policy and process guidance documents up-to-date to ensure that appropriate access levels and hardware are provided for in an investigation.

• Manage and lead all permanent HOLMES team members, ensuring all welfare, training and line management needs are met to ensure the effective running of the HOLMES team.

• Co-ordinate with force IT departments to report and resolve any system and user issues relating to HOLMES2, ensuring systems updates are undertaken as required to ensure efficient systems working to support investigative capacity.

• Conduct HOLMES2 activities to ensure the efficient running of HOLMES2 in force.

• Identify potential innovative IT solutions with the capacity to assist HOLMES2 in furthering an investigation.

• Undertake reviews of the HOLMES2 database as directed and required to support forces ongoing investigations into major and other crimes.

• Lead in-force and at regional and national level on matters relating to the effective use of HOLMES2 to ensure the identifying and sharing of good practice and identifying any developmental needs within force.

Prior education and experience:

• Experience of the investigative process or conducting investigations.

• PIP2 desirable but not mandatory

• Detailed knowledge of the HOLMES2 system and its use in an investigation.

• Knowledge and experience of working in a Major Incident Room.

• Experience of working in a supervisory capacity or applicable supervisory training

• Working knowledge of Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures (MIRSAP).

Skills:

• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others

• Able to write a concise report or other documents

• Skilled in the use of specialised software related to own area of work to extract, analyse and report on data.

• Able to manage the introduction of new business processes or ways of working at team level.

• Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine an appropriate action

• Able to develop and motivate a team and create strong engagement of individuals with their personal and team objectives.

• Able to review and assess individual and team performance against expected standards, providing objective and effective feedback and ensuring that corrective actions are taken where necessary.

• Able to plan ahead; to allocate work appropriately within the team and to identify and mitigate risks to delivery.

• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.

• Continually seek to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills of both the team and individuals to ensure competence in role. This should include identifying individual needs and opportunities for development and using a variety of activities to improve performance, including the promotion of CPD activities, where necessary.

• Regularly share best practice for investigations with colleagues e.g. contribute to relevant Knowledge Hub communities or deliver informal briefings in force.

• Maintain a working knowledge of how other government agencies, such as the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC), can assist in the investigation of cases and work to develop networking skills.

• Ensure representation at relevant partnership and/or multi-agency meetings where necessary, and contribute where appropriate.

• Understand the impact of the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) Learning the Lessons report relating to investigation, e.g. importance of case file management.

• Familiarise yourself with other relevant IOPC reports, e.g. Police use of force: evidence from complaints, investigations and public perception and relevant HMICFRS (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services) reports e.g. PEEL Assessments.

• Keep up-to-date with guidance on conducting the Performance Development Review (PDR) process and apply this to your work.

• Ensure knowledge of any line-manager responsibilities in relation to Assessment and Recognition of Competence (ARC) procedures and apply to your work.

• Maintain knowledge and skills relating to work-based assessments in order to conduct these when necessary.

• Maintain knowledge of the Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures (MIRSAP).

• Keep up-to-date with changes and updates to the HOLMES2 system and how it applies to and impacts on all roles.

Not applicable

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