Investigative Supervisor PIP1 and PIP2

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The Investigative Supervisor provides daily supervision, specialist guidance and support to a team of investigators, working on volume and priority (PIP1) or serious and complex (PIP2) investigations, whilst also undertaking an investigative role utilising their specialist skills and technical knowledge.

• Provide specialist support to assist team members identify and plan relevant investigations, taking into account resources, priorities, and proportionality to achieve investigatory objectives.

• Inspire, coach, and lead a team of investigators so that they are motivated to perform at their best in the investigation of crime.

• Supervise a team, managing their wellbeing, welfare, development. Devising and implementing effective strategies to identify issues and improve team and/or individual performance to maintain professional standards and contribute to the achievement of unit/force objectives.

• Co-ordinate and control the investigative responses of their team, allocating resources and directing activities and appropriately managing risks and monitoring progress within ongoing investigations.

• Supervise, and where necessary, conduct, interviews with witnesses and suspects within relevant PIP standards and gather all required evidence and information within the criminal law and the legal framework to bring offenders to justice.

• Identify opportunities for and co-ordinate the exploration of new ways of working and innovation in policing, applying critical thinking to identify solutions to problems in line with evidence based practice within the field of volume and priority (PIP1) or serious and complex (PIP2) investigations.

• Provide appropriate supervision of the gathering of evidence, ensuring that processes are in place for the recording and retention of material from a range of sources (such as serious crime reports) in a format that is evidentially admissible to support the investigative process.

• Oversee and undertake the completion of risk assessments and provide appropriate support for their team in supporting victims during an investigation, such as through formulation of a victim strategy where required and working with the victim care unit, or providing appropriate referral to support agencies, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the victim.

• Co-ordinate and work with other investigators and managers to establish and use appropriate methods for gathering material and to develop strong procedures relating to turning intelligence into evidence.

• Support and supervise the analysis and assessment of evidence, evaluating materials generated by the investigation of crimes to identify offenders.

• Ensure all material, including exhibits, are seized, examined and retained in accordance with legislation and policy, where necessary.

• Respond to safeguarding concerns and manage risk in cases, including but not limited to; child neglect, child abuse, and child sexual abuse, offences against vulnerable adults, domestic abuse and sexual offences to protect the most vulnerable people in society.

• Support the preparation of reports on the outcome of investigations and the management of case files within best practice procedures to ensure there is an accurate audit trail.

• Oversee the disclosure process ensuring it complies with best practice and audit requirements.

• Use specialist knowledge and skills within the investigation of volume and priority (PIP1) or serious and complex (PIP2) cases to support the investigative team to achieve a positive resolution to the investigation.

Prior education and experience:

PIP1 Supervisor

• Successful completion of applicable initial entry training and undertake training to achieve Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 1 accreditation.
• Experience in conducting volume and priority investigations
• A detailed understanding of the criminal justice system

PIP2 Supervisor

• Successful completion of Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 1 and 2 Investigator accreditation.
  or:
  Lateral entry following completion of a robust assessment and selection process to assess competence against assessment criteria for PIP 1 and 2 investigators and pass the National Investigators’ Examination (NIE)
• Complete the PIP2 Investigative Supervisor/Manager learning programme.
• Level 4 Certificate in Police First Line Management.
• Experience in conducting serious and complex investigations.
• A detailed understanding of the criminal justice system.

Skills:

• Able to communicate logical arguments clearly, adapting language, form and message to meet the needs of different people/audiences.

• Ability to empathise and support others and work with a range of stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns.

• Able to identify cause and effect when problem solving 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 plan ahead; to allocate work appropriately within the team and to identify and mitigate risks to delivery.

• Able to write clear and concise reports or other documents.

• Maintain relevant PIP accreditation by keeping a record of recent experience of conducting different types of volume and priority (PIP1) or serious and complex (PIP2) investigations which evidences the knowledge and skills that you have gained.

• Keep up-to-date with new and developing legislation (including current guidance on disclosure) and current national policing priorities e.g. vulnerability, that may impact on investigations.

• Ensure that case file management follows current good practice.

• Keep up-to-date with new approaches to evidence based policing and apply these to your work.

• Keep up-to-date with all technology that might facilitate offenders in committing crimes.

• Understand the impact of the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) ‘Learning the Lessons’ reports 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.

• Read the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance on investigative practices, relations with the police and apply.

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

• 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.

• Work closely with colleagues in Intelligence, in order to develop strong procedures relating to turning intelligence into evidence.

• Understand and develop knowledge of other roles within policing e.g. work alongside other colleagues in another department to further operational knowledge of one other’s roles.

• Coach and/or mentor less experienced colleagues e.g. PIP1 Investigators and deliver training sessions to support learning and development

• 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.

• Where appropriate, maintain knowledge and skills relating to work-based assessments in order to conduct these when necessary.

PIP Accreditation

Assessed competence against relevant professional standards for this role is required to achieve PIP1 or PIP 2 Supervisor accreditation. Maintenance of this accreditation requires the demonstration of continued competence against professional standards as well as evidence of CPD, in line with the College of Policing’s guidance.

• Strategic Investigator PIP4
• Investigator PIP1
• Investigative Manager PIP2
• Investigator PIP2
• Senior Investigator PIP3
• Specialist interviewer- Victims and witnesses
• Specialist interviewer- Suspects
• Interview Advisor
• Head of Crime
• Investigation Support Officer