Custody Detention Officer
Also advertised as: Custody Detention Officer, Custody Officer (Civilian), Custody Suite Assistant, Detention and Escort Officer, Detention Officer
Looks after the welfare and security of detainees held in police custody suites.
What the job involves
Custody detention officers book detainees into custody, monitor their welfare and manage the day-to-day running of the custody suite alongside the custody sergeant. You carry out risk assessments, arrange medical attention when needed and maintain detailed records for each detainee. The environment is secure and closely regulated, with strict procedures for handling vulnerable individuals.
Typical responsibilities
- Book detainees in and out of custody
- Monitor detainee welfare and risk
- Arrange medical or mental health support when needed
- Maintain accurate custody records
- Support searches and property handling
Common employers
- Police forces
- Outsourced custody service providers
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £26,000 a year
With experience
£27,000 – £32,000 a year
Typical hours
Shift work including nights and weekends
Working environment
Secure custody suite
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Risk assessment
- Conflict management
- Record keeping
- Communication
- Resilience
Transferable skills you may already have
- Security or custodial experience
- Working under pressure
- Following strict procedures
Requirements employers ask for
- Risk assessment
- Conflict management
- Record keeping
- Communication
- Resilience
- Enhanced DBS check
- Security vetting
- Physical fitness assessment
- Security vetting
- Enhanced DBS check
Useful but not essential
- Security or custodial experience
- Working under pressure
- Following strict procedures
- Experience in security, care or custodial settings
Helpful qualifications
- Experience in security, care or custodial settings
Licences and checks
- Security vetting
- Enhanced DBS check
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Custody and Detention Officer apprenticeship (Level 3)
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Custody Officer
next
Custody Sergeant (via Police Constable route)
next
Prisoner Escort Officer
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- No prior policing experience required
- Structured shift patterns with enhancements
- Clear procedures reduce ambiguity in the role
What people find hard
- Dealing with intoxicated or distressed detainees is challenging
- Shift work affects sleep and social routines
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a custody detention officer?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a custody detention officer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £26,000 a year, rising towards £32,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Security or custodial experience, Working under pressure, Following strict procedures.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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