Job Introduction
Our Operational Directorate are at the heart of delivering our main organisational goal of conducting robust and fair investigations into the policing system. The varied investigative work of our Operational Directorate is often high-profile and rewarding, whilst allowing for many career progression opportunities throughout the Directorate who are ready to support you on your career journey. We are looking for Lead Investigators in both core business and the Directorate of Major Investigations.
As a Lead Investigator, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive investigations team working locally and nationally on a wide range of IOPC investigations. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisations core outcomes and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of investigations, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.
The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson, overseeing the police complaints system in England and Wales and setting the standards by which the police should handle complaints. As a completely independent organisation, we seek to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The investigations teams are tasked with upholding our values whilst establishing the facts behind a complaint and reaching conclusions to draw recommendations.
As a Lead Investigator, you’ll lead all aspects of an investigation, from setting out the initial terms of reference, to collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, drawing conclusions and writing a final report, many of which are published. This means you’ll need relevant experience of undertaking investigations in any sector, such as social work, the probation services, local authority enforcement or regulatory services, as well as fraud or criminal justice.
You’ll be on-call on a rota basis, covering daytime, overnight and weekends. You’ll cover a wide geographical area and occasionally you’ll need to stay away from home to conduct your work. You could be required to work from a variety of locations such as police stations or visiting families at their home addresses.
Available vacancies
Directorate of Major Investigations (DMI) - based in Canary Wharf
Core Investigations - based in Birmingham
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.
As part of the application process, you will be asked four sift questions which are based on your experience, IOPC values and behaviours. We'll assess you against the following level 2 Behaviours during the application process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Throughout the recruitment process we may also assess your Experience, Strengths, Technical skills and Values.
Anticipated assessment dates are w/c 19th August with a start date of 28th October.
**Previous applicants who have been unsuccessful for a Lead Investigator post since May 2024 need not apply**
Main Responsibility
- Leading independent investigations into criminal and misconduct allegations in accordance with agreed IOPC guidelines.
- Conducting investigations within agreed timescales, budget and quality standards.
- Drafting and agreeing Terms of Reference for allocated investigations.
- Undertaking investigative actions, including interviewing and taking statements, preparing case files and making recommendations for criminal and/or disciplinary action.
- Taking part in criminal, misconduct and inquest proceedings where necessary.
- Reporting to your Operations Team Leader on investigation progress, areas of risk and resourcing requirements.
- Participating in the 24-hour on call facility and being prepared to work unsociable and extended hours.
- Visiting incident scenes and supervising scene management where required to ensure that all necessary action is taken to preserve and recover evidence.
- Attending post-mortems and briefing the pathologist as required.
- Writing investigation reports upon completion of the investigation for submission to the IOPC decision maker.
- Communicate effectively with complainants, bereaved families and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with decision makers, lawyers, press officers and others.
- Taking responsibility for personal development in a dynamic and constantly evolving investigative environment.
- Assisting the Directorate in achieving its key deliverables. Preparing disclosure schedules for court and inquest proceedings.
- Reviewing unpleasant material, liaising with traumatically bereaved families, robust external scrutiny of actions and decisions.
- Receive close management support/ training and have access to an extensive employee assistance program.
- Identifying potential learning for police forces to consider improving the service they provide and prevent harm to the public.
The Ideal Candidate
Desirable
- PiP2 qualification or equivalent investigative experience
Experience
- Conducting investigative interviews, evidence gathering, analysis and presentation.
- Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills.
- Evidence of excellent analytical and report writing skills; ability to reach and document clear, rational, evidence-based and independent decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information.
- Experience of engaging effectively with a diverse range of people and stakeholders, and evidence of a commitment to equality and diversity within the workplace.
- Delivering a high standard of work within demanding timescales.
- Identification of operational and organisational risk.
- Working effectively in a changing environment.
- Full driving licence valid for driving in the UK
Skills and abilities
- Ability to show initiative and adapt in a changing environment.
- Writing investigation reports upon completion of the investigation for submission to the IOPC decision maker.
- Communicate effectively with complainants, bereaved families and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to recognise your development needs and be proactive in addressing them.
- Ability to prioritise and manage tasks effectively to deliver quality outcomes within demanding timescales.
- Ability to work effectively in a team with diverse ideas and people.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and adapt communication styles as appropriate.
The role requires clearance to BPSS
National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reasonable Adjustments
- Extra time for presentations or interview questions
- Formatting changes such as colours for text or background on written assignments
- Questions presented in writing during interviews
If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk
Package Description
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
- Civil Service pension
- Civil Service maternity leave package
- PAM employee assistance programme
- Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
- Car Leasing Scheme
- Staff networks focused on each of the protected characteristics – run for staff, by staff:
- Enable Network
- Welsh Network
- Pride and LGBTQI+ Network
- Sex and Family Network
- Race, Religion and Belief Network
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity behaviours
Additional Information:
The IOPC is not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process, therefore successful candidates will not be able to transfer to the IOPC on their existing terms and conditions.
The IOPC does not participate in the UK Visa Sponsorship Scheme therefore, candidates will have to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK if offered a role with us.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, therefore a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate during the pre-employment process.
Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Although we are currently unable to guarantee a longer or more permanent contract, if the role can be extended or made permanent, the successful post holder may be offered the role firstly without further interview.
Emotional Consideration:
In performing this role, you will have regular exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC, please contact campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.
Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.
About the Company
As a completely independent organisation, the IOPC seeks to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson. We are looking for people to uphold our core values, and in return we will give you a supportive and inclusive work environment to flourish in.
Be yourself
The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.
- As a silver standard Stonewall employer, we continue to commit to being a LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi and queer people.
- We are pleased to share that we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors.
- Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicated to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace.
- Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.
