Detention Officer
Detention Officer
As a detention officer you will work in the custody suite, where you’ll spend the majority of your time at the heart of the police station. Detention officers use their skills to play an increasingly important part in the way custody suites are run. They not only help in the smooth running of the station, but also provide support to detainees who are facing one of the most difficult times of their lives. The role is definitely challenging, but can also be incredibly rewarding and varied.
Life skills are important in this role, you would need to be alert at all times, think on your feet and make informed decisions. You would assist the custody officer in providing an excellent level of care to some of the most vulnerable individuals in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Detention officers are responsible for completing all aspects of the booking in process and when required, facilitate disposal procedures for detainees. They take fingerprints, photographs and DNA, record possessions and make sure detainees are safe and secure, regularly monitoring their condition and behaviour. Also, where necessary, assisting with investigative procedures and preservation of evidence, whilst maintaining the safety and security of all personnel within the custody suite.
Detention officers deal with solicitors and other agencies and answer phone calls, along with a whole host of other tasks.
Salary and Other Benefits
In addition to a highly rewarding career and a competitive base salary of £29,109.00 – £31,296.00 per annum. Once you’ve completed a training period you’ll receive an additional 20% shift allowance and weekend enhancement making your potential earnings far higher.
Our benefits are extensive too and include:
- An attractive contributory pension scheme
- Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work schemes.
- Access to Hampshire Police Leisure and Sport (providing a range of family and sporting activities)
- Gym facilities at a number of our buildings.
You also have the opportunity to be part of a large organisation with all the potential opportunity for development and progression that can bring. Many police officers start off life in other police roles, which can provide vital experience that gives them the edge over other candidates.
Hours of Work
Detention Officers work to a shift pattern, which applies across all of our 24/7 operational custody suites. This consists of working 2 day shifts, 2 late shifts and 2 night shifts followed by 4 rest days. You will be part of a team which serves the public all day, every day including weekend work.
We will start recruiting for an exciting and diverse role of Detention Officers within custody. We are holding a number of awareness sessions to give potential applicants a chance to find out more about this role.
These events will provide you with information and an insight into the role, its duties and expectations. As well as information on the recruitment process. The sessions will be run by recruitment and central custody advisor who has extensive experience of the role.
If you consider yourself a resilient individual who has good communication and people skills, where you are able to be challenged as an individual but also work well within a team of like-minded colleagues and would like a rewarding role, where no two days are the same….then book your space and find out more.
There will be roles available in Southampton, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight & Basingstoke. All the roles will be permanent & full-time at 37 hours per week. Detention Officers are paid, starting salary £30,333 per annum in addition you will receive a shift allowance and weekend enhancement which will add approximately £800 (depending on shifts worked) to your salary before tax per month. You will be required to work a shift pattern, comprising of evenings and weekends. Further information will be included in awareness session
If you are interested in applying for this role, please click on the link of your preferred date to book a space via Eventbrite on one of the Awareness Sessions being held in February (please only book one time slot) –
Tuesday 10th February 2026 at 11:00am – 12:00pm – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/detention-officer-awareness-session-10th-february-2026-tickets-1981852630568?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday 12th February 2026 at 18:30 – 19:30pm – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-detention-officer-awareness-session-12th-february-2026-tickets-1981944516401?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 18:30 – 19:30pm – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/detention-officer-awareness-session-17th-february-2026-tickets-1981944839367?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday 19th February 2026 at 18:30 – 19:30pm – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-detention-officer-awareness-session-19th-february-2026-tickets-1981945465239?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday 21st February 2026 at 10:00 – 11:00am – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/detention-officer-awareness-session-21st-february-2026-tickets-1981946713974?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please note you will be sent a link for Microsoft Teams prior to your booked event. You will then attend the session remotely. There is no need to attend in person. If there are no available spaces on your preferred date, please send an email to police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary serves a vast area of different communities. In order to create an engaging and effective organisation we need to reflect the diverse communities that we serve.
Historically, it has been found that particular groups face disadvantage in joining or progressing through organisations. These can be under-represented groups or individuals with a protected characteristic.
Therefore, positive action can be used to reduce this disadvantage, in the form of taking active steps to support those through recruitment or promotion stages. The Positive Action Team is here to assist in this process and to make Hampshire and IOW Constabulary a diverse and inclusive organisation