Full job descriptionHolmes ManagerApply Now
Vacancy InformationThis role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.
Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.
Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.
Division / Department - Specialist Crime

Grade - Surrey Police Level 1 / Sussex Police M1

Status - Part Time

Contract Type - Permanent

Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £45,374 - £57,478 / Sussex Police £49,716 - £54,696

Working Hours - 14.4 Hours per Week

Shift Allowance - No

Politically Restricted - Yes

Location - Forcewide
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables’ MessageWe really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role & Key ResponsibilitiesFrom your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference.
It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a HOLMES Manager to join the Surrey & Sussex Police Major Crime Team as part of a job-share.
To help solve the worst crimes, we need our best people, working together.
The Specialist Crime Command are looking to recruit a highly motivated and skilled HOLMES Manager to the Major Crime Team (MCT) based across two hubs at Woking and Lewes Police Stations.
The Command’s primary function is to investigate murder, but it also deals with work-related deaths, attempted murders, linked pattern offending and negligence offences. The year 2025/26 saw some hugely complex, varied and high-profile investigations incorporated into MCT and successfully managed on the HOLMES system.
This HOLMES Manager role is crucial in the functionality of the Major Incident Rooms located at Woking and Lewes and the management of Indexing Team Leaders, Higher Indexers, Indexers and Typists in support of the Senior Investigating Officer to ensure HOLMES contributes to the investigation in the best way possible.
You will be a key member of the Senior Management Team and the post-holder will be working at a strategic level with associated accountabilities.
Key to success in this challenging and highly rewarding role, is detailed knowledge of HOLMES, its use in investigations and leadership of staff performing varied roles within the MIR. Minority ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by homicide and violent crime.
The Surrey and Sussex MCT is constantly seeking to enhance the service that is offered to the victims and families of the most heinous crimes.
We recognise that a diverse team of Police Officers and Police Staff not only increases community confidence, but enhances our team from within, bringing unique perspectives and a broader range of outlooks to reflect the communities that are most likely to be impacted by homicide and violent crime.
Applications will be via a detailed CV, and completing the following questions (no more than 250 words each):
*Explain why you are applying for the role and the skills that you will bring to the Major Crime Team.
*Can you please set out your recent experience as a HOLMES user and in what capacity. Please include any recent training undertaken if applicable.
*What are the qualities that make you a good leader (please include recent experience)?
Skills & ExperienceEssential Criteria:
*Must be fully conversant and trained in HOLMES
*Demonstrable experience of management/leadership
*The individual must either have, or be prepared to work towards a training qualification (AET Level 3) as a significant responsibility is training delivery.
*Outstanding time management skills with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and act with urgency on matters that carry risk to the organisation
*The ability to provide HOLMES technical support during an investigation and keep all policy and process guidance documents up-to-date to ensure that appropriate access levels and hardware are provided for in an investigation.
*Manage and lead all permanent HOLMES team members, ensuring all welfare, training and line management needs are met to ensure the effective running of the HOLMES team.
*Co-ordinate with force IT departments to report and resolve any system and user issues relating to HOLMES, ensuring systems updates are undertaken as required to ensure efficient systems working to support investigative capacity
*Identify potential innovative IT solutions with the capacity to assist HOLMES in furthering an investigation.
*Undertake reviews of the HOLMES database as directed and required to support forces ongoing investigations into major and other crimes.
*Lead in-force and at regional and national level on matters relating to the effective use of HOLMES to ensure the identifying and sharing of good practice and identifying any developmental needs within force.
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
*Experience of the investigative process or conducting investigations.
*Detailed knowledge of the HOLMES system and its use in an investigation.
*Knowledge and experience of working in a Major Incident Room.
*Experience of working in a supervisory capacity or applicable supervisory training
*Working knowledge of Major Incident Room Standardised Administration Procedures (MIRSAP).
*PIP2 desirable but not mandatory
*Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others
*Able to write a concise report or other documents
*Skilled in the use of specialised software related to own area of work to extract, analyse and report on data.
*Able to manage the introduction of new business processes or ways of working at team level.
*Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and...