Detention Officer
Detention officers (DOs) are the first point of contact for both police and detainees entering custody, ensuring they are safely managed throughout their detention following arrest.
The salary for a DO starts at £33,813 per annum (inclusive of all unsocial hours allowances)
What's involved?
DOs work across a shift pattern to provide a high standard of care for people who are detained by the police every day, week and month of the year. Their role includes:
- supporting police officers bringing detainees into custody, completing initial documentation and searches
- managing the care of detainees throughout their detention
- taking DNA samples, obtaining fingerprints, and documenting arrests
- working closely with a range of key professionals including healthcare providers, mental health staff, interpreters and solicitors
- providing a kind and non-judgemental ear to those in need, accessing or signposting them to appropriate sources of support
Do you have the qualities of a good detention officer?
Good communication skills and being able to talk to someone who may be going through a stressful experience is key.
People often come into custody with vulnerabilities or sometimes challenging behaviour, so excellent teamwork is important to manage these scenarios.
Whilst we provide a lot of training to help our DOs handle stressful situations, a good level of resilience is required for the role.
People often come into custody with vulnerabilities or sometimes challenging behaviour, so excellent teamwork is important to manage these scenarios.
Whilst we provide a lot of training to help our DOs handle stressful situations, a good level of resilience is required for the role.
To apply for the role you’ll need to meet particular criteria:
- Age 18 at date of employment (though you can apply at age 17)
- 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. If you do not hold the aforementioned qualifications, recent professional experience will also be considered.
- Full UK driving license
- Be in good health and able to physically and mentally perform your duties
- Self-assessment questionnaire
- Application
- Interview
- Provisional offer
- Vetting, references, medical checks and fitness test
- Formal offer
Training for the role takes five weeks and is designed to give you a solid understanding in the essentials of a detention officer’s role and powers. You will receive officer safety training, which includes de-escalation and restraint techniques, as well as first aid training to College of Policing standards.
We have six custody suites around the force, covering each county:
Berkshire
Berkshire
- Loddon Valley
- Maidenhead
- Aylesbury
- Milton Keynes
- Abingdon
- Banbury
Misconceptions about custody vs reality
It’s not like the police documentaries you see on TV. Yes, there is challenging behaviour to deal with, but it is not constant. For example, whilst our DOs are trained to use reasonable force in custody, it is far from a daily occurrence. DOs are members of police staff and are not officers, but they do have designated powers in order to do their work.
"People think we put someone in a cell and get up and leave but there's a lot more to it - I help people and get them the right services they need. I make a real difference and have pride in where I work."
Custody is all about keeping people who have been arrested safe and secure while police officers investigate crimes. We have a duty to make sure people who are in custody have access to their rights and that they are being treated fairly.
In custody our DOs work closely with custody sergeants, as well as other police officers who may be there investigating crimes. We also have healthcare professionals on site working alongside our DOs – if you are looking to work in a nursing role, please look at vacancies with our partner Mountain Healthcare.
In custody our DOs work closely with custody sergeants, as well as other police officers who may be there investigating crimes. We also have healthcare professionals on site working alongside our DOs – if you are looking to work in a nursing role, please look at vacancies with our partner Mountain Healthcare.
Benefits of working for TVP
Thames Valley Police provides a wide range of benefits – for more details on these, please visit our Supporting You page.
Opportunities
Recruitment for Detention Officer roles is currently closed. Please visit our vacancies portal to create a job alert and be notified when recruitment reopens.
If you have any queries please contact our Recruitment Department via RecruitmentStaffDO@thamesvalley.police.uk
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