Assistant Director of Forensic Services, Police Collaboration Wales

Assistant Director of Forensic Services

An opportunity has arisen for an exceptional professional to lead the collaborative forensic service for the Southern Wales police forces.

Location: South Wales Police Headquarters, Bridgend – with regular travel across Southern Wales.

Salary: £85,092 to £90,828

The Tri-force Forensic Service is a collaboration between Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police, South Wales Police and Heddlu Gwent Police. The Service is responsible for providing investigators and the CPS with objective and scientific evidence to support in exonerating the innocent and bringing the guilty to justice.

With most crimes leaving a forensic footprint, having a flexible, responsive and first-class forensic service has never been more important to policing. Key priorities for the Tri-force Forensic Service are to develop and improve the forensic service offering to customers in parallel with stewardship of quality standards to safeguard the delivery of robust and impartial outcomes.

As Assistant Director of Forensic Services, you will lead this recently formed collaboration, navigating emerging and transformative change to respond to increasing demand, advancements in forensic services, the growth of Digital Forensics and the changing regulatory landscape, whilst maintaining and developing a service to an exceptional standard.

About the Role

Reporting to the All-Wales Assistant Chief Constable, this senior leadership position has responsibility for the development and delivery of a comprehensive strategy that directly supports the operational and strategic priorities of Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police, South Wales Police and Heddlu Gwent Police.

You will ensure the highest standards of financial stewardship, governance, and compliance, while also identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies.

The Tri-Force Forensic Service consists of two Forensic bases in South Wales Police Headquarters in Bridgend and Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen, as well as several Digital Forensics, Forensic Collision Investigator and Crime Scene Investigator hubs across the three force areas. You will provide strong leadership across the collaboration, set strategic direction and manage complex issues.

About you

You will be a transformational leader, passionate about forensic science and its application to deliver justice. You will be experienced and educated to a high standard, being evidence based, robust and proportionate in your decision making.

• An accountable leader, responsible for the line management of a senior management team and those they govern.
• Work collaboratively with the All Wales ACC and other management disciplines on the development of tactical strategies at a tri-force regional level.
• Provide complex, expert and specialist advice on strategy, planning performance and delivery.
• A clear understanding of financial management and business planning.
• Accountability through governance and the robust management of people and performance.
• Work with stakeholders to provide appropriate development and updates on policy, strategy and direction.

Why Join Us? 

You’ll be part of a forward-thinking leadership team, working in an impactful and dynamic environment, where your expertise will directly contribute to exceptional service delivery and organisational excellence. 

The benefits for you would include: 

• 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service (pro rata for part time) 

• A Blue Light Card and use of the SWP Diolch savings and benefits portal  

• Access cycle to work and car salary sacrifice schemes 

• Sign up for the National Police Healthcare Scheme 

• Subscribe to low-cost onsite gym use or access discounted gym memberships through local providers 

• Entry into a generous Local Government Pension Scheme 

• Have access to a comprehensive occupational sick pay scheme 

• Continuous Professional Development opportunities  

Vetting, Recruitment and Contact  

The successful candidate must be willing to undergo vetting to MV/SC level. 

Please note, if you are an internal candidate and subject to an ongoing PSD investigation, your appointment or placement in the role may be delayed pending an outcome. Whether the role is held open will be considered on a case-by-case basis 

If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about this role, please contact the Police Collaboration Wales Programme Manager Harri Evans-Mason Harri.Evans-Mason1@south-wales.police.uk