Research Officer

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.

West Midlands Police (WMP) has a duty to maintain public confidence in the Police Complaints System and to ensure that it is efficient and effective. An effective police complaints system is vital working with key stakeholders and governing review bodies.
The role is to research complaints against police quickly and effectively to help complaint handlers progress and process matters. The researcher is a critical role in providing an effective service recovery service to the public enabling learning to be identified and to assist WMP develop and improve as an organisation.

The role will be required to ensure compliance with Management of Police Information and maintain good housekeeping of the Professional Standards Department (PSD) Centurion system along with physical filing of original documents.

The role will also support the research and response to data requests including Freedom of Information Requests and Subject Access Requests developing a level of knowledge to support colleagues within PSD to meet deadlines to assist the Central Information Unit
In addition the role will require the review of internal and external referrals into PSD and ensure they are recorded researched and submitted for misconduct

Key Responsibilities
Review complaints against police and ensure case handlers have a high standard of research relating to complaints against police.
Highlight risk within reports & systems to supervisor to aid risk assessments
Use WMP systems to provide specific research to assist case handlers to resolve complaints expeditiously which may include download and viewing of CCTV and Body Worn video
Monitor the referrals email account and record any requests for misconduct assessment.
Update the daily departmental briefing document.
Basic interpretation through research evaluating further actions.
Review research and support the response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests Data Protection and Subject Access Requests.
Support department research requests when required to enable interpretation for reports.
Take appropriate security precautions in respect of intelligence handling and dissemination.
Carry out basic interpretation of research/data.
Monitoring and responding to department email in boxes and PSD computer system (Centurion)
Support the Management of Police Information by weeding cases stored manually and within the Centurion system to ensure lawful compliance under Data Protection legislation.
Any other duties commensurate to the role.

Essential:
Experience in researching documents and using initiative to identify what is required to be researched and attached to reports to support complaint handling.
Must have effective written and verbal communication skills and display a professional curiosity and proportionate initiative when researching complaints.
Training in research methods and basic analysis skills.
Knowledge of relevant legislation or guidelines including those surrounding Data Protection Government Protective Marking Disclosure Freedom of Information legislation and guidance.
A knowledge of Policing and Police systems.
Must possess a reasonable level of literacy and report writing to effectively deliver the requirements of the role.

Desirable:
An understanding of relevant legislation any associated regulations or force and national policies regarding this field including the Management of Police Information under Data Protection legislation.
Previously Management Vetted
Knowledge of Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Experience as a researcher
Candidates will also be required to view CCTV and Body Worn video as well as read Police systems this will cover a wide range of policing and emergency incidents which requires access to police systems

Benefit Statement:
By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:
Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
Discounts across travel parking daily costs of living and leisure activities.
A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support free eye tests and flu jabs.

Vetting:Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security 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.

Hours: This is a full-time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday.

Interviews: TBC

Contact: If you wish to discuss the role in further detail please feel free to contact

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 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