Review Officer

Police Investigations & Review Commissioner

Hamilton

Job Summary

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is currently seeking to recruit a Review Officer to join her team who are based in Hamilton.

The successful candidate will support the Commissioner, Head of Reviews and Policy, and Senior Review Officers, in conducting reviews of the way in which policing bodies in Scotland handle complaints by a member of the public, seeking further information from the policing body and complainer as required.

As a Review Officer you will be responsible for dealing with applications from members of the public who feel that their complaints have not been dealt with satisfactorily by the police. Reporting to a Senior Review Officer, you will have responsibility for preparing clear and concise complaint handling review (CHR) reports setting out the PIRC’s views on the police’s handling of complaints. You will be expected to deal efficiently with a significant and varied caseload and to adhere to strict timescales for the production of reports.

Conduct reviews of the way in which policing bodies in Scotland handle complaints by a member of the public, seeking further information from the policing body and complainer as required.

Manage a significant and varied caseload, ensuring that complaint handling review (CHR) reports are produced in accordance with strict timescales.
Ensure regular communication with complainers, policing bodies and other relevant agencies in relation to individual cases.
Research and analyse relevant aspects of individual cases and keep abreast of developments in practice and policy in relation to complaint handling and wider aspects of policing.
Prepare clear and concise complaint handling review (CHR) reports for consideration by senior staff and the Commissioner.
Ensure factual accuracy in CHR reports and that decisions are sound, based on the evidence and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
Participate in discussion of cases with senior staff and the Commissioner which may influence the final shape and outcome of reviews.
Devise recommendations or reconsideration directions which may result in changes in practice and procedure in police complaints handling as well as operational policing in general.
Assess whether the recommendations made in the CHR reports have been adequately implemented by the policing body concerned.
Participate in broader policy issues arising from reviews, and perform such other duties relating to the PIRC’s review function as required.
Deal sensitively and effectively with those involved in the complaints process.

The above accountabilities and responsibilities are not exhaustive, and the Jobholder may be required to undertake additional duties that are consistent with the level and grading of the role, and also in line with any legislative changes to PIRC’s role and functions.

The Specific Duties Of a Review Officer Are To

Conduct reviews of the way in which policing bodies in Scotland handle complaints by a member of the public, seeking further information from the policing body and complainer as required.

Manage a significant and varied caseload, ensuring that complaint handling review (CHR) reports are produced in accordance with strict timescales.
Ensure regular communication with complainers, policing bodies and other relevant agencies in relation to individual cases.
Research and analyse relevant aspects of individual cases and keep abreast of developments in practice and policy in relation to complaint handling and wider aspects of policing.
Prepare clear and concise complaint handling review (CHR) reports for consideration by senior staff and the Commissioner.
Ensure factual accuracy in CHR reports and that decisions are sound, based on the evidence and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
Participate in discussion of cases with senior staff and the Commissioner which may influence the final shape and outcome of reviews.
Devise recommendations or reconsideration directions which may result in changes in practice and procedure in police complaints handling as well as operational policing in general.
Assess whether the recommendations made in the CHR reports have been adequately implemented by the policing body concerned.
Participate in broader policy issues arising from reviews, and perform such other duties relating to the PIRC’s review function as required.
Deal sensitively and effectively with those involved in the complaints process.

Person specification

Success profile

Success Profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in a comparable role

OR

Experience In At Least One Of The Following Areas

legal work
complex casework
complaint handling
Criminal Law procedures
Human Rights

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing – Level 3

Working together – Level 3

Making effective decisions – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

This experience would ideally have been gained while working in a similar regulatory function, however this is not essential. With an ability to communicate clearly and concisely, the successful candidate will have experience of collecting and analysing information, presenting evidence, reaching sound judgements and producing them in written form. The ability to self-manage workloads, meet demanding targets, and work efficiently and effectively in a team environment is also essential for the role.

Security Checks

The successful candidate must undergo Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 3 and Baseline Personal Security Scotland (BPSS) prior to appointment. Please see here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant to ensure you are aware of the requirements prior to submitting an application. Applicants should be aware that they are required to have lived in the United Kingdom for at least 3 years to meet the first element of the vetting requirements.

Equality Statement

The PIRC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting a diverse workforce, with an emphasis on the PIRC values of integrity, impartiality and respect. We therefore encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. We are committed to the Disability Confident Initiative and offer a guaranteed interview to any applicant who meets all of the selection criteria required for the post and considers themselves to be disabled.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions

Alongside your salary of £39,767, Police Investigations and Review Commissioner contributes £11,520 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Hybrid working
Flexible working
Cycle to Work scheme
Pension with a generous employer contribution
Competitive pay for sickness, maternity & paternity leave
Access to Edenred discounts
Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

For information on this vacancy please contact the Human Resources Department at ***email_hidden*** or call on 07342 080256.

How To Apply

Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than

1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Successful applicants will be invited for further assessment; this will consist of an interview and a short assessment.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on Experience 1.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications, it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 19th July 2026.

Please continue to check your account on our recruitment portal as all applicants will have the status of your application updated on their account.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

Name : PIRC HR Team
Email : ***email_hidden***
Telephone : 07342 080256

Recruitment team

Email : ***email_hidden***

Further information