Underwater Search Unit Police Diver Supervisor

Responsible for the conduct of the police diving operation and for ensuring compliance with any instructions provided by the Diving Contractor. Must remain on site, in direct control of the diving operation taking place and ensure that the operation is conducted in accordance with NPCC Rules for Police Diving and in compliance with statutory regulations.

• Prepare the dive plan, ensuring it is authorised and agreed by the Dive Contractor, and determine the best methods to employ for the search and set the resource requirements for the operation to ensure the achievement of operational objectives.
• Review the risk assessment and confirm it is still valid for the circumstances and conditions in place on the day of the dive to ensure the achievement of operational objectives and the safety of all those undertaking the operation.
• Ensure that all appointed police divers meet the requirements of the Police Diving Rules and are aware of the contents of the police diving project plan to ensure the safe conduct of the operation.
• Ensure that the diving equipment provided is appropriate and adequate for the project and has been examined and inspected before the dive and this has been noted in the police diving operation record to ensure the safety of all divers involved in the operation.
• Conduct a pre-dive briefing session with all those involved to ensure that the project plan and arrangements for dealing with foreseeable emergencies are clearly understood.
• Give reasonable directions to any person taking part in the operation or who may affect the safety of the operation as are necessary to enable safe and compliant running of the operation.

Prior Education and Experience:

• Completed an HSE Approved Basic Air Course and Police Diving Supervisor’s Course.
• Have undertaken initial or refresher Dive Supervisor Training within the last 5 years.
• Have been appointed in writing by a Dive Contractor to act as a Dive Supervisor.
• Have had no period of police diving related inactivity greater than 90 days.
• Must be a Licensed Search Officer as per the National Police Search Centre criteria.

Skills:

• Able to set out logical arguments clearly, adapting language, form and message to meet the needs of different people / audiences.
• Able to manage the introduction of new business processes or ways of working at team level.
• Able to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes and mitigate risks.
• 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 disciplinary action and to respond appropriately.
• Able to review and assess individual and team performance against expected standards, providing objective and effective feedback and ensuring 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 identify key stakeholders, understand potential roles and to take appropriate steps to understand their needs and concerns.
• Able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of partners and potential opportunities for collaboration.

• 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 and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to legislation policy and practice across all functional policing areas of operational responsibility.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence based policing research, problem solving and team working and synthesise these into working practice.
• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of new and evolving crime threats and priorities; and current best practice to tackle these in order to enable a pro-active and preventative approach.
• 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.

Must be a Licensed Search Officer as per the National Police Search Centre criteria.

• Police Diver.
• Police Dive Contractor.
• Police Dive Attendant.