Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO)

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The Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) is responsible for acting as a first responder to allegations of a sexual offence, to gather evidence and information from the victim in a manner that contributes to the investigation, preserves its integrity, and secures their confidence and trust. Role holders also provide support and information, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, to victims of sexual crime, ensuring they are given timely information about other police departments and support agencies, where available. The Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) replaces the previous role of Sexual Offences Investigation Trained Officer (SOIT)

Collect and gather evidence and record and retain material from a range of sources, during initial investigation stages, in a format that is evidentially admissible to support the investigative process.

Interview victims and gather all required evidence and information within the criminal law and the legal framework to bring offenders to justice.

Support the management of crime scenes taking appropriate action to ensure the initial preservation of the scene is complete in order to progress the investigation.

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.

Complete risk assessments and provide appropriate support and information for victims during an investigation, provide appropriate support for victims during an investigation to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Liaise and work with other investigators and managers to support victims through the criminal justice system processes.

Carry out analysis, assess evidence, and evaluate material generated by the investigation of volume and priority crimes to identify offenders.

Work alongside the Investigating Officer, acting as a liaison between them and the victim, to keep the victim engaged and committed to the investigation process, where appropriate.

Provide information regarding additional services available for families and victims, including signposting to support agencies, and explain Criminal Justice and Coronial procedures, so that they can access all available services and support.

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.

Prior Education and Experience:

Trained at PIP 1 and recommended learning of interviewing victims and witnesses, when required to conduct the victim interview.

Successfully completed Level 2 of the Public Protection Learning Programme (PPLP).

Successfully completed SOLO course aligned to College of Policing 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 problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.

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 appropriately prioritise and plan own work.

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.

Able to interpret and apply guidance to a specific activity.

Keep up-to-date with changing legislation and current national priorities relating to all key areas within Public Protection and how these might affect sexual offence investigations e.g. Modern Slavery and Female Genital Mutilation.

Join online communities such as Sexual Offences Investigation Techniques (SOIT) and Adult Sexual Offences Investigations and participate in relevant discussions.

Read published research from the What Works Centre and external bodies relating to rape and public protection and evaluate potential to inform current working practices.

Develop and/or maintain knowledge of College of Policing Guidance on Rape and sexual offences.

Maintain an awareness of national policing priorities and current public protection initiatives.

Analyse the impact of the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s (IPCC) Learning the Lessons reports relating to sexual offence cases.

Ensure that regular discussions with line manager around the welfare of the officer are taking place.

Maintain awareness of the capabilities and responsibilities of specialist support groups and NGOs working to support victims and address rape and sexual assault.

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 of Policing requirements.

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