Rape and Specialist Sexual Assault Investigator (PIP 2)
Role Purpose
This profile has recently been updated to include the CVF 2024 and core skills, and the new version can be found on College Learn by entering the Profile title in the search function. Please note this profile is out of date and is in the process of being reviewed.
The Rape and Specialist Sexual Assault Investigator supports victims and undertakes investigation duties to identify the perpetrators of rape and/or sexual assault and any associated offences, such as domestic abuse.
Key Accountabilities
Collect and gather evidence and record and retain material from a range of sources in a format that is evidentially admissible to support the investigative process.
Identify, assess and tailor engagement with victims, so that evidence is collected adequately and appropriately to support the child and achieve investigatory objectives.
Interview witnesses, victims and suspects and gather all required evidence in relation to rape and sexual assault investigations in accordance with PIP2 standards, generating further lines of enquiry to bring offenders to justice.
Complete risk assessments and provide appropriate support for victims during an investigation, through the formulation of a victim safety plan if required, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Provide information regarding additional services available for victims, including signposting to support agencies, and explain Criminal Justice and Coronial procedures, so that they can access all available services and support.
Carry out analysis, assess evidence, and evaluate material generated by the investigation of serious and complex crimes, so that intelligence generates evidence to identify and charge offenders.
Work in partnerships with agencies, such as social workers, health professionals, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) or local equivalents, to develop networks, enable best use of resources, enable joined up approaches to services, and drive safeguarding of victims.
Ensure all material, including exhibits generated by serious and complex crime are seized, examined, and retained in accordance with legislation and policy, where necessary.
Prepare reports on the outcome of investigations and manage case files within best practice procedures, such as working closely with national Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) units for investigative and case building advice, to ensure there is an accurate audit trail.
Where the role exists work with the Sexual Offences Investigation Trained Officer to provide a joined up and enhanced support for the victim.
Contribute to the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), providing updates on offenders, and update records to support and enable joined up public agency management of offenders.
Behaviours
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
It is suggested that this role should be operating or working towards the following levels of the CVF:
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Prior Education Skills, and Experience:
Accredited to PIP Level 1 and Level 2.
Successfully completed Level 2 of the Public Protection Learning Programme (PPLP).
Successfully completed the College of Policing Specialist Sexual Assault Investigation Development Programme (SSAIDP)
Experience in conducting serious and complex investigations.
Experience in interviewing to PIP 2 standards.
Skills:
Good communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise, provide support and adapt language, form, and message to meet the needs of different people / audiences.
Skilled in the use of use 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.
Ability to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support and advice as required.
Able to review own performance objectively and to develop and follow an appropriate improvement plan.
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 to enable the best use of resources and drive safeguarding of victims.
Able to produce clear and concise reports and other documents within best practice procedures.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Keep up-to-date with changing legislation and current national priorities relating to all key areas within Public Protection and how these might affect rape or sexual assault investigations e.g. Modern Slavery and Female Genital Mutilation.
Develop and/or maintain knowledge of College of Policing guidance on Rape and sexual offences, Domestic abuse and Investigation.
Join the POLKA community, Adult Sexual Offences Investigations and participate in relevant discussions.
Read published research from the What Works Centre and other external bodies relating to rape and public protection and evaluate potential to inform current working practices.
Read the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance relating to cases of rape and/or other sexual assault and identify how this can be applied to working practices.
Stay aware of national policing priorities and current Public Protection initiatives.
Apply the lessons learnt from the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) Learning the Lessons reports relating to rape and sexual offences cases.
Maintain a working knowledge of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) units.
Professional Registration/Licenses
Specialist Sexual Assault Investigation Development Programme (SSAIDP) Register
PIP Accreditation
Assessed competence against relevant professional standards for this role is required to achieve PIP 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’s Model.
Links to other Profiles
Child Abuse Investigator
Domestic Abuse Investigator
Missing Persons Coordinator
Sexual Offences Investigation Trained Officer
Sexual or Violent Offender Manager
Victim Identification CAID
Modern Slavery Investigator