Detention Officer (Forcewide)

Thames Valley Police; Milton Keynes; Sur place; GBP 34 000 - 41 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Blue Light Card

Wellbeing services

Résumé du poste

Thames Valley Police is recruiting Detention Officers to work across custody suites in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, including Milton Keynes. The role provides 24/7, 365-day support to Custody Officers and investigators, handling sensitive detainee cases and ensuring compliance with procedures and legislation.

You will complete records, monitor risks, and respond to changing situations with initiative, IT literacy and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• GCSE English (9-4/A-C) or equivalent qualification required.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsabilités

• Be first point of contact for officers and detainees.
• Assist with documentation and records for persons in custody.
• Monitor risks and assess vulnerabilities 24/7.
• Work shifts across multiple custody suites.
• Support Custody Officers and investigators.

Connaissances

Communication skills

IT literacy

Flexibility

Initiative

Formation

GCSE English

Description du poste

Rank/Grade TVP Broad Band 2E

Band 2E, circa £37,484 per annum (including all unsocial hours allowances on qualifying shifts) plus benefits

As a Detention Officer, you will be based at one of our custody suites across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire, providing support to Custody Officers and police investigators as they deal with a range of individuals – some being the most challenging and vulnerable in society. You will be the first point of contact in the suite for both officers and detainees, and will be responsible for managing risks and assessing vulnerabilities 24/7, 365 days a year under the supervision of Police Sergeants.

You will assist in the preparation, completion and administration of all documentation, information and computer records relating to persons in custody to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and operational accuracy, as well as responding to dynamic situations that will require you to think fast and act professionally.

You will be IT-literate, full of initiative and have excellent communication skills. You will maintain resilience when physically confronted. You will have proven ability to work flexibly and in a shift environment, and must also be willing to work at other locations in line with operational demand. Click here to watch a video about the role of our Detention Officers.

You will be required to complete at least 12 months’ service in the role of Detention Officer before you can move to other roles.

Entry Requirements

• English Language/Literature GCSE (Grade 9-4/A-C) or equivalent qualification such as Level 2 Functional Skills or higher academic qualifications - certificates will be required, or details on how to obtain alternative proof of qualifications can be found on our Detention Officer careers page . If you do not hold the mentioned qualification/s, recent equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
• Age 18 at date of employment (though you can apply at age 17) – no upper age limit
• Full UK driving licence
  • access to own transport is required by completion of training
  • we are unlikely to progress applications from those living more than 40 road miles or a 1 hour commute from your preferred police station
  • some travel to other custody suites may at times be required. Applicants should consider that Thames Valley Police operates suites at several sites including Abingdon, Aylesbury, Banbury, High Wycombe, Loddon Valley, Maidenhead, Milton Keynes and Newbury
• The ability to undertake the standard fitness test and achieve level 5 shuttle 4

For further information on our full eligibility criteria, including vetting and medical standards, please ensure you read all the documentation attached to this vacancy before applying.

Training

• Five weeks’ training based at our training sites (Sulhamstead and Kidlington), designed to give you a solid understanding in the essentials of a Detention Officer’s role and powers.
• Receive officer safety training, which includes de-escalation and restraint techniques, as well as first aid training to College of Policing standards.

Successful candidates will go into a recruitment pool to fill planned Detention Officer courses in 2027, subject to vacancies.

If you have any queries please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail] quoting reference 5678/15676 (Forcewide) .

The closing date for enquiries and receipt of completed applicati ons is Sunday 22nd November 2026. Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier dependent on application numbers.

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities. Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission. As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us .

Working Smart

You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day. In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce.

SupportingYou

Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do. Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives. We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with.We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card. Learn more about how we will be Supporting You .

Developing You

We promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential.

Vetting

All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fair and transparent recruitment, we provide guidance on how AI may be used during the application and interview processes. Please familiarise yourself with our AI Guidance for Applicants - TVP Careers