Review Officer

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is currently seeking to recruit a Review Officer to join her team who are based in Hamilton.

The successful candidate will support the Commissioner, Head of Reviews and Policy, and Senior Review Officers, in conducting reviews of the way in which policing bodies in Scotland handle complaints by a member of the public, seeking further information from the policing body and complainer as required.

As a Review Officer you will be responsible for dealing with applications from members of the public who feel that their complaints have not been dealt with satisfactorily by the police. Reporting to a Senior Review Officer, you will have responsibility for preparing clear and concise complaint handling review (CHR) reports setting out the PIRC?s views on the police?s handling of complaints. You will be expected to deal efficiently with a significant and varied caseload and to adhere to strict timescales for the production of reports.

The specific duties of a Review Officer are to:

Conduct reviews of the way in which policing bodies in Scotland handle complaints by a member of the public, seeking further information from the policing body and complainer as required.

• Manage a significant and varied caseload, ensuring that complaint handling review (CHR) reports are produced in accordance with strict timescales.
• Ensure regular communication with complainers, policing bodies and other relevant agencies in relation to individual cases.
• Research and analyse relevant aspects of individual cases and keep abreast of developments in practice and policy in relation to complaint handling and wider aspects of policing.
• Prepare clear and concise complaint handling review (CHR) reports for consideration by senior staff and the Commissioner.
• Ensure factual accuracy in CHR reports and that decisions are sound, based on the evidence and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
• Participate in discussion of cases with senior staff and the Commissioner which may influence the final shape and outcome of reviews.
• Devise recommendations or reconsideration directions which may result in changes in practice and procedure in police complaints handling as well as operational policing in general.
• Assess whether the recommendations made in the CHR reports have been adequately implemented by the policing body concerned.
• Participate in broader policy issues arising from reviews, and perform such other duties relating to the PIRC?s review function as required.
• Deal sensitively and effectively with those involved in the complaints process.

The above accountabilities and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the Jobholder may be required to undertake additional duties that are consistent with the level and grading of the role, and also in line with any legislative changes to PIRC?s role and functions.

Success profile

Success Profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years? recent experience in a comparable role

OR

Experience in at least one of the following areas:

• legal work
• complex casework
• complaint handling
• Criminal Law procedures
• Human Rights

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing ? Level 3

Working together ? Level 3

Making effective decisions ? Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

This experience would ideally have been gained while working in a similar regulatory function, however this is not essential. With an ability to communicate clearly and concisely, the successful candidate will have experience of collecting and analysing information, presenting evidence, reaching sound judgements and producing them in written form. The ability to self-manage workloads, meet demanding targets, and work efficiently and effectively in a team environment is also essential for the role.

Security Checks

The successful candidate must undergo Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 3 and Baseline Personal Security Scotland (BPSS) prior to appointment. Please see here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant to ensure you are aware of the requirements prior to submitting an application. Applicants should be aware that they are required to have lived in the United Kingdom for at least 3 years to meet the first element of the vetting requirements.

Equality Statement

The PIRC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting a diverse workforce, with an emphasis on the PIRC values of integrity, impartiality and respect. We therefore encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. We are committed to the Disability Confident Initiative and offer a guaranteed interview to any applicant who meets all of the selection criteria required for the post and considers themselves to be disabled.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

• Hybrid working
• Flexible working
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Competitive pay for sickness, maternity & paternity leave
• Access to Edenred discounts
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

Job contact :

• Name : PIRC HR Team
• Email : jobs@pirc.gov.scot
• Telephone : 07342 080256

Recruitment team

• Email : jobs@pirc.gov.scot