Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Operations Command
Grade - Surrey Police Grade G / Sussex Police Grade 10
Status - Full Time or Happy to Talk Flexible Working 
Contract Type - Fixed Term Contract
Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £34,060 - £39,149 / Sussex Police £35,772 - £39,276
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - Yes
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Haywards Heath 

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time. 

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is a specialist collaborated unit within Operations Command, responsible for investigating all fatal road traffic collisions, as well as some life-changing injury collisions.

This is a challenging and rewarding role, offering the opportunity to bring offenders to justice while providing support, reassurance and a sense of closure to bereaved families and victims during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

We are seeking a highly motivated Police Staff Investigator to investigate serious and complex cases from initial handover through to conclusion. Many of the offences investigated by the unit carry sentences of up to life imprisonment.

The role operates a four-week shift pattern (Monday – Sunday), with weekend working on a one-in-four basis.

Week 1: 07x16 / 07x16 / 07x16 / 07x16 / 07x16 / RD / RD

Week 2: 07x16 / 07x16 / 07x16 / RD / RD / 08x16 / 08x16

Week 3: 07x16 / RD / RD / 07x16 / 07x16 / RD / RD

Week 4: 13x22 / 13x22 / 13x22 / 13x22 / 11x20 / RD / RD

We support some agile and flexible working where operational requirements permit. Requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in accordance with operational need.

• Perform the role of Officer in the Case (OIC), managing a caseload of serious and complex investigations. 
• Attend collision scenes to provide investigative support when required. 
• Progress lines of enquiry under the direction of the lead investigator (DS) or SIO. 
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and auditable records of actions and inquiries. 
• Manage contact with victims and bereaved families where a FLO is not deployed.  
• Interview witnesses and obtain detailed evidential statements.  
• Interview suspects, manage disclosure, and deal with legal representatives.  
• Attend forensic post-mortem examinations, and brief forensic pathologists.  
• Liaise effectively with other departments, such as Coroners Officers, Forensic Collision Investigators, Forensic Hub, DFT, Media, Intel, DVLA, HSE, NCA and Expert Witnesses.  
• Meet with bereaved families and victims to update them on the progress of investigations.  
• Prepare high-quality case files and evidential summaries for submission to the CPS, responding promptly to action plans where required. 
• Liaise with CPS Lawyers and counsel to ensure cases are trial ready.  
• Submit case material and summaries to HM Coroner and attend Inquests and give evidence if required.  
• Attend Crown Court and other court hearings, providing professional evidence throughout criminal proceedings.  

Skills & Experience

• A high degree of resilience, professionalism, and emotional intelligence. Welfare support is provided through line management and Occupational health screening.
• Proven investigative ability, and a strong investigative mindset, with the potential to develop these skills further within a specialist environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to analyse complex evidence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise competing demands and manage a complex workload with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal working hours where operational requirements dictate.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, recognising and valuing the contribution of colleagues and partners.
• Good IT skills, with experience of Police systems including Niche, NICE Investigate, SharePoint, STORM, MS Word and MS Excel.
• A sound working knowledge of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) and disclosure obligations.
• A full UK driving licence and at least a current Basic Driving Authority (BDA) - or the ability to pass a basic driving assessment.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police

Further Information

This is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract for Maternity Cover (1 Feb 2027 to 31 Jan 2028).

EXTERNAL CANDIDATES: This role is open to former detectives or accredited PIP2 investigators who have worked in a PIP2 policing role within the past 2 years. Preference will be given to those who have previously worked within Sussex or Surrey Police due to their existing knowledge of in-force processes and procedures.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES (Sussex/Surrey Police Staff): This can be offered as a 12-month Secondment for Police Staff only. You must have the support of your Chief Inspector, and that they confirm your current post would be kept open for you to return to at the end of the secondment. Whilst accredited PIP2's will be given priority, we will then consider applications from accredited PIP1 Police Staff Investigators with a current NIE pass, and a minimum of two years investigations experience.

The post is based at Haywards Heath Police Station.

Applicants are required to submit a reasoned supporting statement demonstrating how their knowledge, skills, experience and personal qualities meet the requirements of this role.

Following short-listing, successful candidates will be invited to attend a competency-based interview.

Contact Information

For further information about the role please contact:

DS Rosie Newman: rosie.newman1@sussex.police.uk

A/DS Greg Brown: gregory.brown@sussex.police.uk

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Surrey Police & Sussex Police only accept applications online via our own careers site 'Police Jobs Surrey & Sussex'. Genuine job advertisements published on other websites will always redirect you to complete your application on our official careers site, if you are not redirected to our careers site, please do not submit your application.

 

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly.  You may wish to consider adding noreply@policejobssurreyandsussex.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes.  Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference.  This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.