Review Officer - Homicide Review Team

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional police force in Birmingham is seeking a skilled investigator for their Homicide Review Team on a part-time basis. The role involves researching unsolved homicides, preparing documentation, and compiling reports to aid ongoing investigations. Candidates should have supervisory experience in a homicide environment and excellent communication skills. Applicants must also hold a full UK driving license. This position is crucial for maximizing efforts in cold case investigations, contributing directly to justice for bereaved families.

Qualifications

• Experience working as a supervisor in a homicide environment.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to produce clear, concise and accurate reports.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify new opportunities in unsolved homicides.
• Prepare documentation relating to reviews of major crime investigations.
• Compile detailed reports on cold case investigations.

Skills

Supervisor experience in a homicide environment

Self-motivation

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving flexibility

Clear report production

Competent IT skills

Education

Full UK driving license

PIP 2 or equivalent qualification

Job description

Overview

The Major Crime Unit are seeking a skilled investigator to join the Homicide Review Team!

The Homicide Review Team consists of 6 investigators, a mix of experienced detectives and experienced police staff, who are supported by and report to a Detective Sergeant under the direction of a Detective Inspector. The team also has close support from a HOLMES Manager.

Please note this is a part-time role, working 4-days per week (29.2 hours) - the above salary will be pro-rata to reflect this.

As a valued member of the team you will:

Responsibilities

• Research and identify new opportunities in West Midlands Police unsolved Homicides, seeking to identify suspects and bring them to justice on behalf of the bereaved families.
• Prepare documentation relating to reviews of current major crime investigations with the goals of supporting the SIO to resolve the Homicide and supporting the wider force in developing Major Crime Investigations.
• You will be expected to attempt to progress cold cases by working closely with external forensic scientists, WMP Major Crime Lab, HM Coroner, Intelligence and Investigative functions.
• You will require drive and tenacity to understand the details of cold case investigations and compile detailed reports with considerations for the current SIO.
• You must have the personable skills to conduct peer to peer interviews with colleagues of all ranks detailing their involvement within investigations.
• Your work will be presented in the form of high quality documents that will provide staff from investigative functions opportunities to further progress investigations.
• Undertake any training requirements in respect of the role, to include attending the 4 day National Review Officers Course
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of the Major Crime Investigation Manual

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Experience working as a supervisor in a homicide environment.
• Self-motivation, self-management and decision making skills
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Experience working as an investigator in a major crime environment.
• Flexible approach to problem solving
• Ability to produce clear, concise and accurate reports
• Competent IT skills
• Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection issues
• Ability to assimilate, interpret and review a variety of information and produce reports outlining findings/recommendations
• Requirement to hold a full UK driving license and pass the WMP driving test to drive unmarked Police vehicles if required.
• Requirement to travel out of the force area, where necessary, to progress investigations.
• Understanding of HOLMES
• Valid UK Driving Licence

Desirable:

• Prior PIP 2 or previous equivalent qualification
• Demonstrable presentation skills
• Working knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act
• Previous experience of reviewing major crime investigations

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

Hours: Hours of working will be Monday - Friday between 8am and 4pm, although post holder may be required to work outside these hours occasionally according to the demands of the enquiry they are assigned to complete.

Interviews: Interview dates to be confirmed.

Contact: For further information regarding this role, please contact Sgt Jeffrey Clifford or Insp James Church.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a 'Disability Confident Interview Scheme' - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities