Location of Role: Chelmsford
Advert Closing Date: 23/07/2026
Starting Salary: £42,612.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
Part/Full Time: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
Weekend/Evening Working: No
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to join the Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) Unit based in the Legal Department at Essex Police Headquarters in Chelmsford.
Under the supervision of the Force Solicitor (Operational Policing and Public Protection), you will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of DVPO applications and breach proceedings to the magistrates’ courts 5 days per week (Monday to Friday). You will also provide legal advice, guidance and operational support in relation to all aspects of DVPOs. Work on Saturdays and Bank Holidays is required on occasion, for which appropriate allowances will be paid.
You will also be required to support and assist the legal team with the progress of other civil applications to protect the public and investigate legal claims made by or against the Chief Constable by taking statements, gathering evidence, drafting court forms, preparing written reports and preparing and progressing case files etc.
Successful candidates must demonstrate the following in their application:
- Experience of dealing with courts and legal processes, procedures and evidence.
- Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills are essential as you will be required to present cases at court, negotiate with solicitors, liaise with victims and provide advice and guidance to police staff and officers of all ranks.
- Evidence of ability to take in information quickly and accurately, weighing up the pros and cons of possible actions, using only relevant information and precedents before making appropriate, professional decisions that are proportionate and in the public interest.
This opportunity would suit a highly self-motivated, and organised individual who can remain calm and professional under pressure and who is committed to providing the best service to the public.
For further information on the role please contact Claire Holmes [email protected].
Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.
Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at [email protected] stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.
If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.
As a Disability Confident Leader we:
- Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
- Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
