Does anyone work in Police Custody as a DEO?

[Curious88]

Hi thanks in advance for your time, does anyone currently work in police custody and able to provide an insight into the role?

My main queries are:

1. How safe is this role for a female?

2. Are there any career progression opportunities other than a Police officer?

Long story short, I've been working as a Healthcare Assistant in General Nursing for the last 10 years, and I'm considering a role in Police Custody as Detention Escort Officer and i'd like to get an idea of how volatile the role actually is.

Throughout my time in the NHS I've dealt with many volatile people so I'm not naive to the fact that I'll receive alot of abuse in the role. I'm aware that assaults do happen, However I'm interested to know how often assualts occur according to peoples experiences? daily? once a week? Yearly?

I'd really apprecaite any insight and hope my respecful and empathetic approach towards peoples circumstances will help take me a long way.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences. TIA :)

I can’t say for DEO as a role. my brother is police staff and this is what I’ve learned…

firstly call the contact on the job as and go in for a day and learn as much as you can. Most are happy to do this- in fact they actively encourage it as a) they like talking about their jobs and b) the more informed applicants are the more likely someone will stick.

DB also came from the NHS where he’d simply burned out. He much prefers the police as an organisation as the ethos is much healthier- yes they’re short staffed and underfunded but they pull together. He can ring someone up they will willingly help whereas in the NHS he’d get huffing and puffing and grief for causing work.

he has also found that once you’re in the whole organisation opens up. He’s had people offer shadowing days, if there’s a role or a course he’s interested in he phones them up and they sort a visit if get him booked on. Management will ask if he’s seen any opportunities, moving roles is seen as a good thing and nobody is worried about leaving. He’s had Senior officers offer interview practice.

he’s on his third role in 5 years. Went from entry level intel work to data analysis and now is in some specialised data role. Doubled his salary.

the police is such a huge entity there are millions of jobs you never think about. Intel, It- if you have a medical/biology interest there’s csi. Horses, dogs, helicopters, crash mathematics, accountancy, hr….

Thank you so much for your very insightful response. I really appreciate it 🙂

I’m an ex-officer so spent plenty of time working with DEOs in custody.

I wouldn’t be particularly concerned regarding safety. Detainees are searched once, if not twice (depending on the police force) before even entering custody then a further search in custody so unlikely to be in possession of any weapons.

Once in custody, there are alarm strips everywhere that you just need to press if anything concerns you and half the police station will come running. You’re never on your own.

I don’t think there is any promotion within the DEO role but as above says, there are vast number of civilian jobs in the police and they will support you to get into different roles down the line.

Thank you so much for your reassuring response.

Are you able to shed some light on what a typical day is like for a DEO?

In terms of aggression, are you able to shed some light on how often assaults occur on staff? Is this a daily occurrence or a once in a blue moon type of thing?

I'd be very greatful for any insight based on your experience 🙂