Professional Standards Investigator

The Professional Standards Investigator gathers and reviews evidence and undertakes complaint and misconduct investigations. They ensure that any evidence obtained is recorded, secured and preserved appropriately so that investigations are dealt with in a timely manner and with integrity, thereby retaining the confidence of the public and the police in the standard of the police service.

• Collect and gather material and assess intelligence and evidence from a range of sources (e.g. IOPC) and retain and maintain records in a format that is evidentially admissible to support the professional standards investigative process.

• Plan and identify own investigative actions required and consider resources, priorities, and proportionality to achieve investigatory objectives.

• Complete risk assessments, assess harm and provide appropriate updates and support for victims and subjects during an investigation, such as through formulation of a victim strategy where required, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the victim.

• Prepare and serve complaint and misconduct notices in compliance with the misconduct regulations so that involved parties are informed in a timely manner.

• Interview witnesses and suspects gather all required evidence in relation to professional standards investigations, to generate further lines of enquiry where required, to build a balanced and proportional case.

• Use designated powers to arrest and apprehend where necessary and issue special warnings, as well as carry out associated custody procedures, to protect and safeguard the public in accordance with legislation and policy.

• Liaise and work with other investigators and managers to establish and use appropriate methods for gathering material to further an investigation.

• Seize, examine, retain, and disclose all material generated by investigations to ensure that they are managed in accordance with legislation and policy.

• Prepare reports on the outcome of investigations, to identify lessons learnt and share best practice.

• Manage case files, adhering to legislative requirements throughout the investigation to ensure there is an accurate audit trail of the investigation.

• Attend criminal or misconduct proceedings to present evidence and evidential statements ensuring that the information provided is within required standards to support the criminal justice and/or misconduct proceedings.

Prior education and experience:
• Successfully complete initial training and undertake further training to achieve Professional Investigation Programme (PIP) level 2 accreditations.

• Experience in conducting serious and complex investigations.

• Experience in interviewing to PIP 2 standards.

• Demonstrable experience of complex information gathering and problem solving.

• A detailed understanding of the criminal justice system.

• An understanding of the Police (Conduct) Regulations and other applicable local and national guidance.

• An understanding of College of Policing National Guidance and Guidance on Counter Corruption and Complaints & Misconduct.

• An understanding of the risk factors associated with corruption and misconduct

Skills:
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen, adapt language, form, and message to meet the needs of different people / audiences.

• Skilled in the use of IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.

• Able to break down a complex problem into component parts and determine appropriate action in investigations.

• Good team working skills demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.

• Able to review own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.

• Able to plan own work and plan ahead, as well as identify and mitigate risks to delivery.

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

• Able to produce clear and concise reports and other documents within best practice procedures.

• Maintain PIP level 2 accreditation by keeping a record of recent experience of conducting different types of serious and complex investigations which evidences the knowledge and skills that you have gained.

• Maintain an up to date understanding of Police Regulations and College of Policing Guidance, best practice and any local policy applicable to the professional standards context.

• Maintain and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to professional standards, criminology, legislation, policy and practice across all functional policing areas of operational policing.

• Maintain knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence based policing research and problem solving, test and synthesise these into working practice, championing innovation and changes to practice.

• 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.

• Complete all annual and mandatory training as required by local and national requirements.

• PIP2 accreditation

• Head of Professional Standards
• Professional Standards/Counter Corruption Manager
• Professional Standards/Counter Corruption Supervisor
• Professional Standards Hearings Officer
• Professional Standards Analyst
• Professional Standards Researcher
• Professional Standards Complaints Administrator
• Senior Investigator – Major Crime (PIP3)
• Investigative Manager (PIP2)
• Strategic Investigator (PIP4)
• Investigative Supervisor (PIP2)
• Investigator – Volume and Priority Crime (PIP1)
• Senior Investigator – Serious and Organised Crime (PIP3)
• Head of Crime