Regional Technical Surveillance Officer

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) is looking for a Technical Surveillance Officer keen to progress their careers as part of our Technical Surveillance Unit.

SW ROCU is part of the national ROCU network who work hand in hand with local forces and national partners to target and disrupt criminals posing the greatest risk of Serious and Organised Criminality (SOC). This includes offenders involved in cyber threats, economic crime, drug conspiracies, modern slavery and human trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation. SW ROCU seeks to lead and support the region working with the forces and national leads to promote consistency and use of best practice and technology.

SW ROCU is a great place to work in a job like no other, working alongside other specialist capabilities at a regional, national and international level.  You will be at the forefront of the fight against serious and organised crime, which is one of the greatest threats facing the UK today.

This role offers the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and skills in aspects of technical surveillance.

You will be part of a specialist team providing innovative and essential support to a wide variety of customers based in law enforcement capturing intelligence to progress an investigation or evidence to secure a conviction. The team support investigations involving local constabularies, the SWROCU, and surveillance teams around the South West and beyond.

Your work will be challenging and rewarding engaging with members of the public and law enforcement colleagues to achieve positive outcomes – providing a first class service and making a tangible difference.

You will enjoy a varied workload, which affords them the opportunity to work with local, regional, national, and international law enforcement partners, as well as private companies and members of the public.

This is a dynamic role for which you will undergo several courses with the opportunity to become proficient in many varied aspects of covert policing.

Skills, experience and qualification required

Essential:

• HND or HNC (or recognised BTEC) in electronics, radio or telecommunications or relevant workplace experience and ability to demonstrate up to date knowledge of relevant technologies;
• Previous knowledge/experience of at least one of the following: video, audio, optics, alarm, telecommunications, location and positioning equipment, information communication technology, mobile telephony, IP or WIFI technology
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to advise and influence to achieve objectives
• Ability to work autonomously in a challenging environment and make decisions balancing operational considerations against risk with excellent problem solving skills and the ability to develop technical and practical solutions
• Demonstrate understanding of relevant legislation in connection with technical surveillance techniques (RIPA, Police Act, APP, ACPO Surveillance Manual of Standards and ECHR Act)
• Full driving licence or be able to travel around the region by other means

The successful applicant will be required to be part of an on-call rota, to be worked 1 week in every 5 weeks, once qualified. 

Recruitment and Selection

• Recruitment webinar: Thursday 24th November 2022, 1300hrs
• Please contact swrocurecruitment@avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk, whereby invites will be sent accordingly. Please note that webinars will not be recorded
• The closing date for receipt of applications is: Sunday 11th December 2022.
• Shortlisting will take place week commencing: Monday 12th December 2022.
• Technical/practical assessments will take place week commencing: TBC
• Interviews will be held week commencing: TBC

Following shortlisting there will be a technical assessment to assess basic technical skills; this will involve practical tool handling as well basic fault finding along with a working at heights assessment.

How to Apply:

All applications are processed through the Avon & Somerset Constabulary online condidate portal.

Please click on the following link to access the application process or contact SWROCURecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.uk for further information.

In line with the Joint Services Agreement, the successful internal candidate will remain on their home force terms & conditions and move onto the relevant pay scale for the advertised position:

• A&S – PO3-6
• D&C – Grade 9
• Dorset – Grade G
• Gloucestershire – PO1
• Wiltshire – W10

If you reach the assessment/ interview stage of a process and become a reserve applicant, we would like to retain your application. This will be pending further vacancies arising for the same role in a 12 month period. By giving your consent this does not prevent you from applying for any other opportunities.

Additional Information

Vetting and safeguarding

This post is a subject to a higher security clearance at MV and SC – Management Vetting and Security Clearance Level.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 5 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

In accordance with the National Vetting Policy, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.

Police Barred and Advisory lists

Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit is working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the ROCU, where communities are currently under-represented including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions, gender, LGBT communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve. All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.

Flexible working

All requests for flexible working patterns will be considered and will be dependent on the role.

If you are interested to find our more information about this post, please email us at: SWROCURecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.uk