Operational Lawyer

Job Description

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and as such their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

The Operational Lawyer will provide legal advice and representation under the general direction of the Director of Joint Legal Services (JLS). You will work collaboratively with a variety of clients, colleagues and other stakeholders to provide a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for both Staffordshire and West Midlands Police.

Your primary responsibilities will involve providing legal advice to both forces in respect of all operational policing matters and applying for a wide range of orders including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Stalking Protection Orders, Violent Offender Orders, orders under the Anti‑Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Forced Marriage Protection Orders.

You will be required to undertake advocacy to apply for these orders.

• Advise and provide representation (including advocacy where required) in relation to legal proceedings and hearings before the relevant courts
• Advise on and apply for civil preventative orders
• Work with external legal services (including counsel) where necessary
• Provide timely legal advice to all clients as required
• Carry a complex case load providing advice and advocacy as required
• Drafting legal documents

• Professional legal qualification (or expected within the next 3 months) as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive
• Experience of operational police orders in one or more of the following areas:
  • Orders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Stalking Protection Orders
  • Violent Offender Orders
  • Orders under the Anti‑Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014
  • Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  • Forced Marriage Protection Orders
  • Firearms licensing
  • Alcohol licensing

Interviews are likely to take place during weeks commencing 16th / 23rd March.

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Appointment to this role may be dependent upon successfully completing medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
• Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.
• Comprehensive benefits including pension, Blue Light Card, and employee assistance programme.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ – all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities.

West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in the country, serving the three major cities of Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, alongside the districts of Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, and Dudley.

Against this backdrop, the force handles more than 2,000 emergency calls every day, while patrolling the streets and responding to incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have made significant improvements in reducing overall crime, improving call response times, and increasing arrest rates. This work can only continue with the right people, therefore as an employer of choice, we are looking for the right people who can serve and protect our communities.