Police Recruit Civilians for Custody Jobs

The PSNI announced today that it will deploy 60 Civilian Detention Officers (CDOs) across Northern Ireland, a move that will see 60 police officers currently performing custody duties returned to frontline policing roles. Ten CDOs have completed their training and are now working in the Greater Belfast area and the PSNI expect all 60 to be in post by April 2010.

Speaking about the process, Acting Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Grimshaw said; "This move is designed to free up 60 police officers to return to frontline policing, to work to provide a personal and productive policing service in communities across Northern Ireland.  It is part of our long term plan to ensure that officers, who joined the Service to police with communities, are given the opportunity to return to this role.  We are working to ensure that we increase our street presence and the accessibility of our officers and by undertaking this managed service contract we are delivering, in part, on that commitment."

He continued; "The utilisation of a managed services contract means that we have highly qualified civilian detention officers ready to manage our current custody arrangements, allowing our police officers to return to frontline duties, including response and neighbourhood policing.  The new CDOs are highly trained people for highly responsible positions, operating in a skilled workplace, and with a managed services contract we can ensure we have the right person for the right job.  It is a better way to do business."

All successful applicants will undertake a 5 week course (minimum) based at the Police College, with additional training thereafter as their role develops over time.

It was revealed earlier this year that an internal PSNI report concluded that the force was failing to deliver an effective service, with officers spending more than 60% of their time in police stations because of red tape and paperwork.