Assistant Investigation Officer

Title of Post: Assistant Investigation Officer

Reports To: Deputy Senior Investigation Officer

Main Duties

The Assistant Investigation Officers primary role is to support the investigation process by collecting evidence, conducting research, maintaining records, assisting with interviews, analysing information, and helping lead investigators reach well-supported findings.

Key Responsibilities

Collecting Evidence and Information

1. To gather documents, records, and other relevant materials.

2. To identify and secure physical, digital or documentary evidence in line with Office procedures.

3. To maintain accurate records of evidence collected as per appropriate protocol.

Conducting Research

4. To review policies, regulations, legislation, or procedures relevant to the investigation.

5. To search databases and other sources for background information.

6. To analyse information to identify patterns, inconsistencies, or leads in relation to an investigation.

Interview Support

7. To arrange and schedule interviews with witnesses and complainants.

8. To prepare interview plans to support the investigation process.

9. To conduct interviews with victims and witnesses and prepare interview summaries.

10. To help document statements and maintain interview records, ensuring accuracy of information collected.

Case Documentation

11. To maintain investigation files and logs ensuring a clear and accurate record is maintained.

12. To record investigative activities and findings which are accurate and timely.

13. To ensure documentation is accurate, complete, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

14. To prepare reports, summaries, and case updates, as and when required.

Assisting Lead Investigators

15. To follow investigative plans and complete assigned tasks.

16. To participate in scene visits, inspections, or evidence collection activities as determined as the lead investigator.

17. To prepare factual findings and recommendations for consideration.

18. To support the preparation of final investigation reports.

Maintaining Confidentiality and Professional Standards

19. Protect sensitive information in line with GDPR and data protection legislation.

20. Adhere to legal, ethical, and organisational requirements.

21. Handle evidence according to established procedures.

22. Ensure impartiality throughout the investigation process.

Other Duties

23. To have responsibility for all records held, created or used as part of the business, including corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails, in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

24. To have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between:

25. Persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;

26. Men and women in general;

27. Persons with a disability and persons without;

28. Persons with dependants and person without.

29. To commit to the values, ethics and service standards that underpin the work of the Office.

30. Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade as may be required.

Essential Criteria

1. Have a degree level qualification or equivalent and a minimum of 1 years established investigative experience* gained through criminal justice or equivalent professional investigations.

OR

2. In the absence of the educational qualification have a minimum of 2 years established investigative experience gained through criminal justice or equivalent professional investigations.

Hold a current driving licence which meets Northern Ireland road traffic legislation.

Desirable Criteria

1. Have accreditation at PIP (Professionalising Investigations Programme) Level 1 (or above).

*Investigative experience means demonstrable evidence of:

• strong written and oral communication skills to ensure effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• effective IT skills with the ability to use a case work management system
• carrying out investigative interviews in particular witness and complainant interviews
• analysing a range of complex information

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