Investigation Officer (Entry Level)

Location: South Yorkshire, United Kingdom Department: Police Staff

Role: Investigation Officer (Entry Level)

Department/District: Crime Services & Districts (Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield)

Location: Various locations throughout the South Yorkshire Police Force Area

Salary: Band C, £28,914 - £31,749 progressing to Band D, £32,613 - £37,020 after completion of PIP2 qualification

Hours:  37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

We have exciting opportunities for Investigation Officers to join South Yorkshire Police.  As key members of our investigation teams, you will be involved in supporting investigations into criminality across various investigative portfolios within force departments and local policing districts.  This includes the areas of Vulnerability, Major Crime and District CID.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop into a fully accredited Investigator through a force-wide programme.  The training course is 10 weeks at our dedicated training centre, following this you will continue your career pathway towards achieving competence in PIP (Professionalising Investigations Programme) Level 1.  The training course will commence in April 2027 and you will be expected to work full time Monday to Friday during the training period.

Subject to a suitability assessment and subsequent attainment of the national investigators exam, candidates will progress towards Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP) Level 2 accreditation and would be eligible to progress to the next band (Band D) £32,613 - £37,020 with involvement in PIP 2 serious and complex investigations.

Role

Investigation Officers work in a number of areas across the force to conduct/manage investigations and submit case files to enable prosecutions. They also provide support and ongoing victim care throughout the investigative process.

Investigation Officers work across a diverse area of the force including Vulnerability, Major Crime, Specialist Crime Operations, and district policing teams.  Therefore, adaptability in respect of nature of work and work environment is essential.

There is a requirement to work a shift pattern covering weekends and late shifts. Full shift patterns will be confirmed at the time of appointment.

Eligibility

Must be over 18.

Must hold a full manual driving licence as this role will require some driving. (Please ensure you upload a copy of the front and back of your driving licence before submitting your application)

Must be able to physically undertake personal safety training.

As part of this role the wearing of Personal Issue Body Armour will be required on some occasions.

Able to undertake training to achieve Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 1.

Key skills and experience

Good communication skills with the ability to listen, empathise, provide support, and adapt language form, and message to meet the needs of different people/audiences.

Able to break down a complex problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.

Able to produce clear and concise reports and other documents within best practice procedures.

Able to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support and advice as required.

For more detailed information relating to the role and the skills and experience required, please click here to view the role profile. If you are having trouble with the hyperlink, please right click, copy, and paste in a separate window.

You should evidence how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role profile, using explicit examples where possible, in order to be shortlisted for interview. You may wish to use the STAR method to structure your examples.

What we offer

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

A wide range of family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Flexible working arrangements including flexitime and hybrid working for some roles

Job sharing/part-time working for some roles

A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust (FIT)

A comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police

Employee Assistance Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice

Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to Work scheme

A commitment to embracing the principles of sustainability, including reducing our negative environmental impacts, and enhancing our positive social contribution

Membership of the Sports and Social Club

Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks

We are a Disability Confident Employer and guarantee an interview for all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do: Fairness, Integrity & Trust (FIT). The attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Smarter Ways of Working

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables South Yorkshire Police to provide an outstanding service to the community.

There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.

This role has been categorised as a Field role.

Field: This applies to roles that do have a base; however, the nature of the duties may require travel to other locations. These roles cannot accommodate flexible working from home on a permanent basis