Core Investigations
Our core investigations teams are based across five regions: Greater London; South East; Wales and South West; Midlands and Central; North East and North West. Our investigation teams carry out hundreds of independent investigations every year.
Major Investigations
The DMI provides organisational capability and capacity to deliver large scale, resource-intensive investigations, that are generally complex and high-profile, including investigations of national significance. In this directorate, you can find many specialisms including anti-corruption, intelligence, and survivor engagement.
As an 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 organisation's 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 an Investigator, you’ll work on a variety of unique local and national cases that are often in the public eye. You’ll use your investigative, regulatory or inspection experience to take on this complex role. You’ll complete varied tasks – everything from analysing evidence and attending post-mortems, speaking to bereaved families and taking part in inquests. As an articulate communicator, you’ll make informed recommendations based on your findings – remaining calm in emotionally charged situations.
The IOPC is a public service and aims to ensure that everyone receives an equal service. To make this a reality we need innovative and socially aware people to join us. The IOPC is committed to developing the mindset of a team of diverse and passionate individuals to reach their career goals whilst contributing to improving policing confidence.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles. 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 HEO Behaviours during the application process:
* Seeing the big picture
* Making effective decisions
Throughout the recruitment process we may also assess your Experience, Behaviours, Strengths, Technical skills and Values. The behaviours assessed at the next stage will be shared with candidates who reach the shortlisting stage.
Important Dates: Anticipated assessment and interview dates are from the 29th January 2025. This will all be working towards a cohort start date and training on 19th May 2025.
Positive Action
At the IOPC, we are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the communities in which we serve. A more inclusive workforce enables us to be a more effective and efficient organisation, better understand and respond to the needs of our communities.
Positive action as detailed in the Equality Act 2010, allows us to use measures designed to help improve equality in the workplace, and create a level playing field for all, whilst still employing everyone based on merit. Our workforce profile data shows that people who identify as black, Asian and minority ethnic are under-represented at the IOPC.
For this role, should we have a situation where multiple candidates have achieved the highest score and one identifies as black, Asian or minority ethnic, by using positive action, we can select that candidate for the role, therefore improving this area of under-representation at the IOPC. We will only use positive action in this way where the highest scoring candidates have all scored equally, and above our required threshold.
Main Responsibilities
* Conduct investigations in accordance with agreed guidelines, including obtaining witness statements, interviewing witnesses and suspects, preparing casework and making recommendations for criminal and disciplinary action.
* Visit incident scenes and assist in supervising scene management ensuring that all necessary action is taken to preserve and recover evidence.
* Liaise with complainants and bereaved families to provide briefings on progress of investigations.
* Attend post-mortems and brief pathologist as required.
* Write investigation reports upon completion of investigation for submission to the assigned Regional Director for approval.
* Prepare papers for submission to the Crown Prosecution Service and to Regional Director.
* Liaise with other agencies and personnel as required.
* Take part in court, misconduct and associated proceedings where necessary.
* Contribute to the provision of a 24 hour on call facility (please see attached document regarding expectations).
* Be prepared and able to work unsocial and extended hours, including working away from home and overnight stays when required.
* Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade as may be required including the participation in the interchange of duties within the Directorate.
Additional Information
You will be required to complete the IOPC investigator training programme which includes formal and on the job training, as well as the requirement to build a portfolio of evidence. This will provide you the skills and knowledge to achieve a Professionalising Investigations Programme Level 1 (PIP1) qualification. The PIP1 programme is a mandatory requirement of your role. Failure to engage may result in disciplinary processes.
If you have already achieved PIP1, you will need to provide clear evidence that your PIP1 status remains active. If this evidence is not provided before beginning the programme, you will need to complete the PIP1 programme in full.
All investigators, whether joining with PIP1 or completing PIP1 with the IOPC, will need to engage fully in the PIP revalidation processes. Revalidation ensures that your skills and knowledge are enhanced and maintained in line with the PIP requirements. Failure to engage could mean your PIP1 status becomes inactive and may result in disciplinary processes.
The Ideal Candidate
Person Specification
Essential Experience
* Good general education or demonstrated through structured workplace development.
* Proven experience of conducting investigations in the public or private sectors, including recent experience of:
• Carrying out investigative interviews
• Evidence gathering, analysis and presentation
• Contributing to planning and scoping investigations
* Experience of making appropriate decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information.
* Engaging effectively with people or groups from different backgrounds, adapting communication style as appropriate.
* Proven experience of working effectively in a team environment.
* Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, including writing investigation reports.
* Full driving licence valid for driving in the UK. You will need 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.
Desirable Technical
* PIP2 qualification or equivalent investigative experience.
* For Cardiff only - Advanced level 3 in Welsh (written and oral) is desirable for this role.
The role requires clearance to BPSS.
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