Senior Police Staff Investigator Cold Case Review Team

Northumbria Police; Ponteland; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police force in Ponteland is seeking a Senior Police Staff Investigator. The role involves leadership in cold case reviews, managing investigations of serious crimes and ensuring the highest professional standards are maintained. Candidates should have PIP Level 3 accreditation and significant investigative experience. This permanent position offers a salary between £55,836 - £60,912 and various benefits including flexible working and a public sector pension scheme. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply and be part of a team that values community safety.

Benefits

26 days’ leave plus 8 bank holidays

Enhanced maternity and parental leave

Flexible working options

Public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution

Access to private healthcare

Gym access at some locations

Qualifications

• PIP Level 3 accredited investigator with continued competence.
• Experience in managing covert operations and investigation strategies.
• Knowledge of serious organised crime investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Cold Case Review Team.
• Deliver evidence-led, high-quality case reviews.
• Lead victim-focused engagement with bereaved families.
• Drive continuous improvement of investigative processes.

Skills

PIP3 Accreditation

Significant experience in serious and complex investigations

Knowledge of current legislation and Code of Ethics

Strong organizational skills

Problem-solving in operational environments

Ability to build working relationships

Education

PIP Level 3 accreditation

Job description

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Role:

Salary: Band 11 £55,836 - £60,912 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Ashington

Hours/Contract: 37, Permanent

Working for #TeamNP

Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job - and that's where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.

As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we'll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.

Whether you're a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.

Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something that really matters.

Learn about our full benefits package

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Crime Department as Senior Police Staff Investigator (PIP3).

As a Senior Investigating Officer within the Major Investigation Team, you will hold strategic oversight of the Cold Case Review Team, ensuring that historic serious crime is reviewed ethically, proportionately, and to the highest investigative standards. As a PIP Level 3 accredited investigator, you will provide the leadership, governance, and quality assurance required to deliver structured, victim-focused, and ethically robust reviews of unresolved serious offences, including homicide and suspicious deaths. Your remit includes identifying viable investigative opportunities, organisational learning, and assurance while maintaining accountability for investigative decisions and outcomes.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will direct and support a team of PIP2 Investigators and HOLMES staff. You will provide strategic leadership, clear operational direction, and professional guidance to ensure all investigations and case reviews meet the highest investigative and professional standards. You will lead cold case homicide and major crime investigations as required, oversee formal case reviews, and manage intelligence and evidential development within historic major crime cases. The role involves continually assessing Threat, Risk, and Harm to set investigative priorities, developing and implementing effective investigative strategies, and ensuring systems and procedures remain fit for purpose. You will also be responsible for conducting periodic reviews of historic cases, ensuring that advances in forensic science, investigative methodologies, and new information are consistently evaluated to identify fresh opportunities for progression.

What you’ll do

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Cold Case Review Team, ensuring unresolved homicides, suspicious deaths and historic serious offences are reviewed ethically, proportionately and to the highest investigative standards.
• Deliver evidence-led, high-quality case reviews, assuring the integrity of review strategies, decision‑making and final reports, and authorising recommendations for re‑investigation, forensic submissions or escalation to Major Crime Teams.
• Lead sensitive, victim‑focused engagement with bereaved families and affected individuals, ensuring transparency, professionalism and confidence throughout the review process.
• Drive continuous improvement by analysing and evaluating current processes, identifying opportunities for innovation, and embedding evidence‑based best practice across the team.
• Shape and deliver short, medium and long‑term objectives for each investigation as part of the overarching investigative strategy, working collaboratively with internal departments, specialist units and partner agencies to strengthen investigative outcomes and build community confidence.
• Oversee and quality‑assure the performance and conduct of reactive, proactive and crimes‑in‑action investigations, ensuring all work is thorough, timely, ethically delivered and compliant with relevant legislation, policy and best practice standards.
• Manage resources and budgets effectively, taking proactive steps to ensure investigations are delivered in a cost‑efficient and accountable manner.
• Lead and develop teams of investigators, providing clear direction, coaching, support and constructive feedback to help staff achieve their full potential and to maintain high levels of welfare and engagement.

Sound interesting? For further information, and to support your application, please view the job description.

What you’ll bring

• PIP3 Accredited - Maintenance of this accreditation requires the demonstration of continued competence against professional standards as well as evidence of CPD, in line with the College of Policing guidance.
• Significant experience in conducting serious and complex investigations as Investigative Manager.
• Awareness of HOLMES or Major Incident room standardised administrative processes for effective case management. Experience or understanding of managing covert operations, including evidence of risk management and the deployment of assets, such as, conventional surveillance, directed surveillance and lawful intercept.
• Knowledge of investigations of serious organised crime such as OCG target operations, counter terrorism or corruption.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, policies, procedures and the Code of Ethics, criminal and common law.
• Highly organised with an ability to plan ahead, allocate work effectively and manage multiple complex activities and parallel proceedings, while identifying and mitigating risks to delivery.
• Experienced in working to service strategies and national standards, using organisational financial systems, managing budgets and resources, and demonstrating professionalism, flexibility and a positive approach to changing priorities or ambiguity.
• Proven experience of complex problem‑solving in an operational environment, devising, evaluating and implementing solutions while reviewing conflicting information. Skilled in making challenging decisions using appropriate decision‑making models, identifying cause and effect, and developing actions that address root causes and mitigate risks. Demonstrating advanced critical thinking, exploring alternatives beyond the obvious, with a strong understanding of the internal and external support available to investigations.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and demonstrate professional credibility at all levels, with a proven track record of influencing senior managers, executives, external stakeholders and partners. Skilled in presenting complex intelligence, setting out clear and logical arguments, and adapting communication style to suit a range of audiences. Able to identify key stakeholders, understand their needs and concerns, and ensure appropriate representation at partnership or multi‑agency meetings. Demonstrates strong consulting and interpersonal skills, with the drive, determination and influencing ability to overcome internal barriers.

We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact Katie Smith 7308 by email at [e-mail].

What we offer

• 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Fantastic market‑leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on‑site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

Just so you know

We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connection are key. For roles designated as agile or home‑based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Senior PSI (PIP3) with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face to face interview. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Leader, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter). You can get in touch with us via [e-mail] for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent role subject to a six‑month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six‑month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.