Custody Detention Officers
Detention Officers (CDOs) are the first point of contact for both police and arrested persons entering the custody suite. The main responsibility relates to the care and welfare of the individual, ensuring they are safely managed throughout their detention following arrest and the investigation process. Detainees will be your responsibility from the moment they're brought to the custody suite, under arrest, returning on bail or voluntarily attendance. You will have designated powers that enable you to undertake your duties with the large number of detainees who walk through our doors each year. During the 12 hours shift you will work within your team to manage multiple workloads in a very fluid and dynamic workplace. Your duties can vary and range in different responsibilities and each day is different and there is no average day for custody.
My name is Dominika and I am Polish. I currently work as a Detention Officer in Runcorn Custody.
My adventure working for Cheshire Police started 6.5 years ago as a cleaner at Custody in Runcorn.
My commitment and thoroughness to work were noticed by others who suggested applying for the position of Detention Officer.
Thanks to the faith of my superiors and the curiosity to gain new experience, I obtained the position of Detention Officer.
While working in this position, I realized that every person on earth is different and sometimes requires alternative solutions to manage their care in custody.
Every day is a unique experience, and I genuinely enjoy every day working for Cheshire, you can never predict what to expect but always be prepared for the unexpected. Every day we are dealing with detainees who are self-harming, aggressive, intoxicated through drink and drugs or mental health illness and of course young people under 18.
I don’t judge anyone who comes into custody, I treat all detainees with respect, a smile, good patience, and positive mood is required. While working at Custody, I had the opportunity to help with the booking in procedure of foreigners from Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
This job is not for everyone, but it is for people who want to put a smile on the detainee’s face as custody can be a very daunting place to be.
I’m a part of a great team and I have super Sergeants who support you during work.
I can highly recommend becoming a Detention Officer as I am proud of what we do in helping the community.
Mid to late last year, the words "detention officer" seemed so alien to me, and sometimes still do.
When I first saw the advertisement, I was enticed by the idea of being able to make a difference to the community and to be able to positively impact people’s lives and help keep people safe in custody.
Before joining, I was far more reserved and lacked in confidence, however now I am able to speak and communicate with people of all different backgrounds and have learnt various skills that have enabled me to keep myself, my team and more importantly the detainee's safe.
The best skill I feel I have learnt that I will carry for life is being able to communicate and defuse situations. My favourite part of the job is the feeling of being part of a team, I know that I am fully supported by my team both in work and on a personal level, I also enjoy how different the job is from day to day.
No day is the same and each day is a new challenge and experience. This helps keep working in custody exciting and helps me continually develop as an individual and hopefully help others around me develop.
The role's main duties include:
- Supporting police officers bringing arrested persons into custody
- Assist Custody officer and completing booking in and release procedures
- Searching detainees, property, and cell rooms
- Managing the care and welfare of detainees throughout their detention (including preparing, serving food and welfare checks)
- Taking DNA samples, obtaining fingerprints, and other Biometric samples
- Working closely with a range of key professionals including health care providers, mental health staff, interpreters, and solicitors
- General management of queries from visitors and members of public face to face and over the telephone
- Assist in the accurate maintenance of records and using custody key systems
- Providing security management and health and safety of the custody building
- Escorting detained persons around the custody facility into cell, consultation room, exercise yard and vehicle docks
- Providing a kind and non-judgmental presence to those in need, accessing or signposting them to appropriate sources of support
- Communicate effectively with all kinds of people from all walks of life, many of whom are vulnerable or confrontational
The salary for a CDO starts at is £24,921 per annum (enhanced by unsocial hours allowance and weekend enhancement).
Detention officers provide a vital role in the smooth running of our custody suites. We work 12-hour shifts (Days and nights) over a rotating pattern to provide a high standard of care for people who are detained by the police. Custody is operational department that runs 24 hours a day 365 days of the year.
The following video gives you an insight into the role of a CDO working within one of our custody suites.
The qualities of Custody Detention Officer:
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
- Work as part of team under the supervision of the custody officer
- Problem solving and quick independent thinking
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Confident technology users
Training
Successful candidates will undertake an intensive four-week training course at our Training Centre at our headquarters in Winsford. The course is designed to give you a solid understanding in the essentials of a Detention Officer’s role and powers and equip you with the skills required to be CDO. Once this is completed you will transfer to the custody locations and participate in several weeks shadow onsite training with your team members. Also, you will receive officer safety training, which includes de-escalation and restraint techniques, as well as first aid training and emergency life support skills to College of Policing standards.
Location
We have three custody suites across Cheshire. They are located at Blacon, Runcorn and Middlewich and provide 90 cells in the county. During the recruitment process, you’ll be asked for your preferences as to where you’re based. We always take these preferences into consideration, however, cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to accommodate these as postings are made based on business requirements and you will be required to travel between custody suites during your tour of duty.