“Sometimes things go wrong. At the CCRC we help to put them right.”
From time to time, a criminal case ends with a wrongful conviction or sentence – there may have been errors in the original investigation or at trial, or fresh evidence may have emerged. Sometimes, wider systemic issues affect whole groups of cases leading to wrongful convictions. Over the last 25 years, the CCRC has referred almost 800 cases for fresh appeals.
We are looking for an open-minded and collaborative Head of Investigations to help deliver the CCRC’s core purpose of finding and investigating suspected miscarriages of justice, someone committed to achieving our strategic aims of excellence in casework and enhanced engagement with stakeholders.
As Head of Investigations, you won't have your own cases, but you will provide advice and operational assistance on the exercise of our investigative powers and you will share your extensive experience and knowledge of criminal investigations to help guide our reviews. When necessary, you'll 'roll up your sleeves' and conduct or assist in interviews with applicants and witnesses. We'll also look to you for advice on victim notification and risk assessments.
A highly-experienced senior police officer or equivalent, you will work closely with your own small team and with all our Case Review Managers. You'll be involved in some of our most complex and interesting cases, including those where we are directed by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division to investigate on their behalf, often in relation to jury irregularities. You'll also play a key role in any section 19 cases, where we require a Chief Constable to appoint an investigating officer to work to our directions.
Like all of your colleagues, you'll be committed to continuous improvement, and you’ll be involved in the development of policy, practice, guidance and training.
You will work with internal and external stakeholders, so you’ll be diplomatic, adept at working with others, and alert to issues of risk and reputation. Above all, you'll have a strong sense of fairness and a desire to see miscarriages of justice corrected.
If that sounds like you, and you want to help shape the next 25 years of the CCRC, then we'd be delighted to hear from you.