PACE Inspector

The PACE Inspector is a rotational role responsible for the strategic management of the Custody suite and staff, ensuring the safety and security of all to enable the achievement of operational policing objectives for the duration of a shift. Providing all required authorities and ensuring that compliance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice relating to the detention of suspects.

• Manage the operational running of the custody suite for the duration of the shift to ensure staff compliance with all applicable legislation and national and local guidance and procedures relating to the detention of suspects and the operation of the custody suite.
• Oversee the welfare of all custody staff, assigning duties in line with their role and ensure that each carries out their duties in accordance with PACE Codes of Practice regarding the rights and treatment of persons detained in a custody suite for the duration of the shift.
• 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.
• Authorise and manage process relating to the detention and release of detainees, including the bail process or release under investigation or identification issues to ensure compliance with PACE Codes of Practice and national and local policy and guidance.
• Identify any emerging risks and issues and take appropriate action to mitigate or resolve them to ensure the safety and security of staff and detainees.
• Review the progress of investigations in line with the timescales set out by PACE Codes of Practice to ensure that detention of detainees remains legitimate and legal.
• Review risk logs to ensure that all risks, vulnerabilities and welfare needs of detainees are being adequately managed and that the control measures which have been put in place are both proportionate and effective.
• Review custody records, undertake Quality Assurance and ensure they are up to date and accurate and that custody review times are observed in line with PACE Code C and PACE Codes of Practice.
• Initiate the review and investigation of complaints, working with the Custody Inspector and others to ensure that complaints are handled in line with national and force policy.
• Oversee the management of the Custody team in line with force policy, providing line management support to the Custody Sergeant to support the development and progression of staff within the Custody team.
• Consider and review all issues relating to the vulnerabilities of detainees to ensure all decisions relating to vulnerability are considered at all stages of their detention and release or transfer.

Prior education and experience:

•  Operational experience at Sergeant Level.
• Met all necessary local and national promotion requirements (or Direct Entry selection criteria) as defined in the National Police Promotions Framework (NPPF) or previous OSPRE process.

Skills:

• Able to engage a variety of audiences through a range of media to inform and/or persuade.
• Able to identify potential applications of new or improved technologies related to own area of work to improve working practices.
• Able to manage the delivery of initiatives that change the structure of the organisation and / or the roles of staff and officers
• Able to seek out and identify a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex problems
• Able to develop and motivate a team and create strong engagement of individuals with their personal and team objectives and with Force values, behaviours and strategic priorities.
• Able to identify exceptional situations that merit recognition and to take appropriate action.
• Able to identify situations that require misconduct or attendance intervention / action and to respond appropriately.
• Skilled in setting team and individual performance objectives, monitoring performance, assessing progress, identifying emerging risks, issues and opportunities, and taking corrective steps as required to ensure that the right results are achieved.
• Able to plan to short and medium term cycles, to coordinate a range of activities appropriately within the function, to match these to available resources, and to identify and mitigate known risks to delivery.

• Complete all annual and mandatory training including for example, fitness tests, personal safety training, first aid and protecting information.
• Maintain and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legislation policy and practice relating to Custody and detention.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of Police Regulations and College of Policing guidance, best practice and any local policy applicable to the operational police context and leading and managing teams.
• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of new and evolving crime threats and priorities.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of performance management and assessment process and ensure they are implemented effectively when leading and managing teams.
• Keep up to date with guidance and best practice on health, safety and welfare.
• Ensure knowledge and application of operational command responsibilities, including authorisation of legislative powers follows current best practice.
• Keep up to date with the policing evidence base and new approaches to evidence based policing.

None

• Custody Inspector
• Custody Sergeant
• Detention Officer
• Escort Officer