Trainee Investigator - Birmingham

Main Responsibility

• Collecting and analysing evidence including writing reports
• Working to stringent IOPC guidelines
• Witness and subject investigative interviews
• Visiting incident scenes where required and assisting in action taken to preserve and recover evidence
• Attending postmortems
• Taking part in criminal, misconduct, and inquest proceedings
• Communicating effectively with complainants, bereaved families, and other internal and external stakeholders

Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities. 

The Ideal Candidate

Desirable 

Driving licence valid in England & Wales. If not already held, employment will be conditional on passing the driving test within 12 months of starting employment. Once you are a qualified investigator, you will be expected to have the confidence to drive alone, in a fleet car, in all conditions including at night and on all road types such as motorways and country lanes. Reasonable adjustment requests around driving will be considered.

Experience

Essential 

• Analysing complex information and developing evidence-based conclusions, decisions or recommendations.
• Working with or assisting people from diverse backgrounds through active participation in community, voluntary or public-facing work.
• Working effectively in a team environment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including highly developed report writing 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.
• Working effectively in a changing environment.

Skills and Abilities

Essential 

• Ability to show initiative and adapt in a changing environment.
• 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.  
• Ability to analyse information and identify the key issues.
• Demonstrates the confidence and ability to cope with challenging situations.
• Ability to respond appropriately to the diverse needs of individuals and stakeholder groups. 

We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to a more innovative and dynamic workplace. We actively encourage applications from individuals who are typically under-represented or disadvantaged in society. This includes women, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, parents and carers, and disabled candidates, including neurodiverse candidates. 

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants and creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.

 The role requires clearance to BPSS

National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reasonable Adjustments:

The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. We are open to providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, please see potential reasonable adjustments below that we can provide:

• 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 recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk 

Package Description

What we Offer:

• 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days) 
  • Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
  • Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
  • 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 focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ 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

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 recruitment@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

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 an LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi, trans 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 dedicating 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.