Review Officer

The Review Officer conducts or assists in reviewing the management, coordination and conduct of investigations, namely: 28 day homicide reviews; other major crime reviews (e.g. rape); cold case (historic case) reviews; safeguarding reviews, including DHRs; Child Serious Case Reviews (Child Practice Reviews Wales); Safeguarding Adult Reviews; Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement Reviews (MAPPA); Critical Incident Reviews; and Thematic or other Reviews as directed by Chief Officers.

• To act as officer in the case for an allocated review

• Identify and complete relevant enquiries within a review in line with agreed terms of reference in order to support the criminal justice system and assure the safeguarding of individuals by learning lessons and identifying any changes in practice that may be required for crime prevention

• Research, analyse and evaluate documentation in order to prepare accurate and impartial reports that are constructive, identify good practice, capture organisational learning including assess and identify areas for improvement

• Analyse and assess the evidence and evaluate the material generated by an investigation to identify offenders and assess whether preventative opportunities were maximised

• Conduct quality assurance checks on investigations to assess if all appropriate lines of enquiry have been properly pursued in accordance with relevant Authorised Professional Practice (APP), policy and legislation in order to provide conclusions and recommendations for consideration by the lead Review Officer and setting out findings for senior management

• Interview staff (including senior management and subject matter experts) on the relevant enquiry in order to constructively explore their investigative decision making

• Assist the maintenance of the relevant force archives of serious crime, both those which are detected and undetected in order to assist ongoing and future investigations

• Work in partnership with multi agency partners and represent the host force when required at relevant multi/inter-agency meetings

• Manage information and intelligence ensuring that during the conduct of the review, material is seized, examined and retained in accordance with legislation and policy

These key duties and responsibilities are not intended to restrict the scope of the post holder to perform other duties as deemed appropriate and in accordance with their continued professional development. It summarises the key functions which may be required of the role for an Omni competent review officer and allows forces flexibility to identify aspects of the profile that suits their specific terms of reference.

Prior Education and Experience:

• Experience of making challenging decisions using appropriate decision making models

• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, policies, procedures and the Code of Ethics, criminal and common law

• Conversant with Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES), Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Processes (MIRSAP) and Murder Investigation Manual (MIM)for effective case management

• To be PIP accredited or prepared to work towards accreditation is desirable

• Successfully completed the National Review Officers Course or prepared to work towards accreditation is desirable

• Demonstrable experience of complex information gathering and problem solving

• Previous experience in the conduct and investigation of serious and complex crime

• Ability to interrogate databases to obtain information required

• Ability to prepare documentation for case files and have good oral and written communication skills

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

• Must be vetted to MV/SC level or prepared to undergo such vetting

• Have an understanding of the Criminal Justice System and have an awareness of and be conversant with Disclosure Guidelines within the context of Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA)

• To demonstrate an awareness of forensic opportunities in the investigation and review of major crime

• Experience of working within a Public Protection multi-agency arena is desirable

• Wales specific – welsh language Level 1:- greet, introduce and open and close conversations, open and close meetings and write simple requests

Skills:

• Good communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise, provide support and adapt language, form and message to meet the needs of different audiences

• Ability to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support and advice as required

• Ability to plan own work and plan ahead as well as identify and mitigate risks to delivery

• Ability to pro-actively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders

• Ability to produce clear and concise reports and other documents within best practice procedures and to specified timeframes in keeping with the terms of reference

• Ability to critically question, brief and de-brief to identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

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

• Understand the impact of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Learning the Lessons reports relating to investigation, e.g. importance of case file management

• Regularly share best practice in investigations with colleagues e.g. contribute to relevant online communities/deliver informal briefings/contribute to internal newsletters

• Attendance at the National Review Officers Conference or Regional Review Forum or other related CPD event.

• Ensure a record of recent experience of conducting different types of reviews effectively is maintained and evidences the knowledge and skills that you have gained as part of maintaining CPD

• Understand and develop knowledge of other roles within policing e.g. shadow a colleague within the public protection environment

Not applicable

Investigator PIP 1

Investigator PIP 2

Investigative manager PIP2

Senior Investigator PIP 3