Detention Officer, Awareness Sessions – April/May 2026 (HC623928)
We will start recruiting for a diverse role of Detention Officers within custody. We are holding a number of awareness sessions to give potential applicants a chance to find out more about this role.
These events will provide information and insight into the role, its duties and expectations, as well as information on the recruitment process. The sessions will be run by recruitment and central custody advisors who have extensive experience of the role.
Good communication and people skills are required. Candidates should be resilient, able to be challenged individually, work well within a team of like‑minded colleagues, and desire a rewarding role where no two days are the same.
As a Detention Officer you will be based in one of our Police Investigation Centres, where you are an integral part of the running of the custody suite. You will provide support to your custody colleagues, also proving a high level of care and professionalism to those detained within the custody environment.
Detention Officers are uniformed support staff workers given certain Policing Powers within custody to execute your duties and deliver a high level of service.
Due to the complex environment you’ll need to be alert at all times, think on your feet and make informed decisions. You’ll complete the booking process in the custody suite and perform duties such as taking fingerprints, photographs and DNA, recording possessions and ensuring they are safe and secure. During their time in custody, you’ll regularly monitor a detainee’s condition and behaviour, assist with investigative procedures and preservation of evidence, while maintaining the safety and security of all personnel within the custody suite.
Assisting with the detainee’s rights and entitlements, and assisting the custody sergeant with release when required.
Successful candidates will undertake a minimum of six‑to‑seven week training course (Monday–Friday), assessed throughout. Training covers all aspects of the role, the Criminal Justice System, police IT & systems, personal safety training and emergency first aid.
Applicants must be educated to QCF Level 3 A-levels (or equivalent) or have work experience deemed to bring the post-holder to a comparable level.
Applicants must have a full manual driving licence. You may be posted to one of our custody centres and occasionally required to work at Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke or the Isle of Wight.
Please note that you must provide evidence of education and driving licence at interview stage.
All roles will be permanent & full-time at 37 hours per week. Detention Officers are paid starting salary £30,333 per annum. In addition you will receive a shift allowance and weekend enhancement which will add approximately £800 (depending on shifts worked) to your salary before tax per month. The shift pattern comprises evenings and weekends.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is an inclusive employer and strives to have a workforce representative of the communities we police and serve. We recognise we are not fully representative and are working to address this imbalance through a variety of initiatives.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is an equal opportunities employer that positively promotes flexible working, enabling officers and staff to achieve a healthy work‑life balance whilst meeting operational requirements of the constabulary. We actively encourage applications to be made on a full‑time, part‑time or flexible working basis.
The Equality Act 2010 allows us to promote equality within Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary by adopting Positive Action to support people from under‑represented groups. Our aim is to recruit talented people with a diverse range of skills and experience and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our Positive Action team is available to provide support through the application and assessment process by contacting: positive.action@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
The Disability Confident campaign aims to remove barriers, increase understanding and ensure that people have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We will accommodate requests for reasonable adjustments where possible throughout our recruitment and promotions processes and encourage anyone requiring reasonable adjustments to disclose this at the earliest opportunity.
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