Custody officer
Take responsibility for the safety and welfare of people held in police or court custody.
Also known as: police custody offier, prison custody officer, custody detention officer (cdo)
About the job
What it's like
Are you a strong communicator who can stay calm under pressure? If so, you may be well-suited to a career as a custody officer.
In this role, you’ll supervise people in police or court custody. You’ll process detainees once they arrive, monitor them while in custody and assist with any problems that arise.
Your exact duties will depend on the type of custody officer role you take on. For example, you may work in prison custody, court custody or escort detainees between prisons, courts and hospitals. Some roles involve a little bit of everything!
Many custody officers work for private companies that place you into prisons or courts. Others are employed directly by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) or Police Scotland.
Your tasks might include:
supervising detainees in police or court custody before and after hearings
processing detainees – this includes checking paperwork and recording their belongings
travelling with detainees to courts, prisons and police stations
monitoring detainee welfare by supplying them with meals, medical support and access to legal representation
liaising with police officers, solicitors and court staff
remaining professional when faced with challenging situations involving detainees
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
GEOAmey – learn about the range of different custody officer roles available through this private company
Scottish Police Authority – discover opportunities to build experience as a voluntary independent custody visitor
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Custody officer'
Select qualification level(s)
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Prison officer
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- making decisions
- attention to detail
- cooperating
- problem solving
- respecting
- resilience
- reliable
- listening
- verbal communication
- empathising
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Maths (Mathematics)
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English
Let’s explore the routes you can take to get into a career as a custody officer.
Work
You can become a custody officer by applying directly with an employer.
Most employers look for a good general education, which includes some National 4 or 5 qualifications.
Private contractors like GEOAmey and Serco recruit custody officers. Although, you’ll also find vacancies with Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Police Scotland.
Any experience in customer service or security will look great on your application.
Once hired, you’ll receive formal training. This often includes modules in conflict management, first aid, legal awareness and officer safety techniques.
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies.
Trainee roles
You can become a custody officer by applying for an entry-level role in the justice or security sector.
Once you’ve gained some experience, you’ll be in a good position to progress to a custody officer position.
Relevant entry-level roles include custody assistant, court security officer or escort support officer.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an NC, HNC or HND, could boost your job prospects. Useful subjects include:
Uniformed and Emergency Services
Police Studies
Social Science and Criminology
Use the My World of Work course search to find NCs, HNCs or HNDs.
Becoming a voluntary Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) is a valuable way to gain insight and experience.
If your role involves escorting prisoners, you’ll need a full driving licence.
All custody officers must be approved by the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Custody officer'
