Cut Price ‘Tecs

Last updated on March 14th, 2019 at 02:27 pm

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Once again I am indebted, this time I owe my gratitude to @LaptopCop for bringing this latest farce to my attention.

Avon and Somerset Police are advertising to recruit what they describe as a Priority Crime Support Officer.  There is currently one post advertised, I know not if others already exist or whether this is a pilot scheme.  It is advertised as a permanent position, 37 hours per week and paying £23,799 – £25,449 per annum.

As for a Job Description, I quote from the advert;

“Priority crimes are those which cause the most harm to the community – burglary, robbery, violence, theft of and from motor vehicles.

We are seeking to recruit a member of staff who can complete full enquiries in the course of an investigation of an offence for which a person is detained. You will interview the detained persons (including those in prison), prepare prosecution files and obtain additional statements. You will also obtain and execute search warrants, seize evidence and carry out searches.

You must have experience of preparing prosecution files, gathering information and producing statements as well as be prepared to attend court to give evidence as required. You will need to hold a full current driving licence and be prepared to transport detainees around the force area. Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 would be advantageous.”

Sorry, couldn’t resist that last bit of ‘bolding’.

The Job Spec then goes on to usefully tell me what the ‘Shortlisting Criteria’ are;

  • Hold a full current driving licence and prepared to transport detainees around the force area
  • Computer literate
  • Experience of interviewing in a range of situations
  • Experience of preparing prosecution files
  • Experience of producing statements
  • Experience of gathering information
  • Prepared to attend court to give evidence

Additionally, the following qualities/skills would be USEFUL;

  • Experience of interviewing witnesses and /or suspects
  • Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

The successful applicant will report to the PS/DS in charge.

Now call me old fashioned but this sounds very much like an advert for a DC/PC/TI, but without a Warrant Card, and the advert states that this is post-arrest.  Get your applications in quick, interviewing is on the 18th of this month.

I fully accept that this is only one post within the whole force, but who knows what’s behind it. Can any of our Avon & Somerset colleagues enlighten us?

A cynical person might think that this was a Force dipping a toe in the water to see if they can investigate Major Crime on the cheap.

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