Investigator Case Officer - CSE On-line - South West Regional Organised Crime Unit

Police Transformation Funding has been secured to provide an ‘on- line capability’ of dedicated resources within each Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) to tackle vulnerabilities, including online grooming / child sexual exploitation.

To complete lines of enquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse as directed by the Op Lead and Dep. Op. Lead. This includes the handling of exhibits, recording of sensitive unused material, liaison with forces and other agencies, the recording and dissemination of intelligence; support to the on-line deployment of undercover officers to protect children and identify those with a sexual interest in children and support to any deployment relating to a CSA crime in action.

N.B. This role does not include the interviewing of children or other victims of sex offences or the routine viewing of indecent images of children.

The SWROCU are looking to recruit highly motivated dynamic Police staff to develop a consistent and coordinated capability to tackle online criminality and protect the vulnerable. This unit will be standardised across England and Wales in conjunction with the Accredited Undercover Units

Online child sexual exploitation is a growing national threat. This team will seek to identify and disrupt those involved, by bringing together UC Operatives, Researchers, Intelligence Officers and Case Builders to tackle the current ever increasing online risk. The regional capability to respond to the threat from online groomers, contact abusers and vulnerabilities will be significantly enhanced.

During the course of the investigation the Regional Organised Crime Unit’s dedicated CSE investigation team will create evidential or intelligence packages for dissemination amongst Regional, National or International Police Forces, engaging with forces to ensure the safeguarding of children.

Investigative Ownership Principles for UCOL Operations and the Specialist Child Abuse Investigation principles will be adhered to and experience of child abuse investigations will be advantageous but not essential.                                           

In this role your Main Responsibilities will be:-

• Working collaboratively with others throughout Operations and subsequent court proceedings and working effectively as a team, building and maintaining relationships with the wider Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), Forces and other agencies to achieve the aims of the Operation. To safeguard children and bring child sex offenders to justice and to liaise with Forces where there is a risk to the safeguarding of a child.
• To keep thorough and accurate records of all enquiries and actions and make decisions where appropriate, taking into account the threat and risk to children and based on the National Decision Making Model.
• To liaise and maintain relationships with other units, responding to the results of all deployments whilst recognising the high level of threat, risk and harm and responding to tasks promptly and effectively.
• Liaising with other resources and capabilities in the ROCU in a way that ensures legislative compliance including Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act (CPIA) and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). Also ensuring that all unused material is identified; acting as a practitioner under CPIA as the ‘Disclosure Officer’, compiling and submitting Disclosure schedules as appropriate.
• To secure and preserve the continuity of evidence and exhibits, ensuring evidence is gathered in accordance with the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 and ROCU procedures.  To observe operational security in the office, including making sure evidential material is prepared effectively and kept securely and ensure the security of the Operation and all related correspondence and documentation is in line with Government Security Classification requirements.
• Compiling reports and assisting in the preparation of court files to the standard as laid out within the Manual of Guidance in a timely fashion, as per Crown Prosecution Service Guidance; ensuring the completion of all enquiries and tasks and identified reasonable lines of enquiry to achieve the operational aims and objectives.
• To liaise with Forces or other agencies regarding the disclosure of material from Undercover (UCO) operations which may have an impact on the safety or identification of the UCO and/or operational effectiveness.  
• To act as officer in the case, carrying out investigations professionally, ethically, thoroughly and expeditiously in accordance with investigation policy, Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) standards and legal requirements.
• To undertake PACE compliant suspect interviews and obtain Witness statements where appropriate.

Skills and Experience Required:-

• You must have experience of decision making, working to tight deadlines and managing workload with consideration of priorities.
• You must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally, and in writing, with all levels of the organisation and outside agencies and demonstrate good listening skills.
• You must show a proven ability to collect, record, analyse, summarise and present large and often complex sources of information.
• Competency in the use of IT systems, including Microsoft Office and to learn about bespoke ICT systems.
• The ability to work effectively with other agencies and partners.
• Proven experience of working in an investigative role, in an Intelligence Unit, a Child Abuse Investigation Unit or an Online Investigation Unit. 
• Knowledge and experience around investigations, ideally involving the Sexual Offences Act 2003
• You will hold a full current driving licence or be able to travel around across the region using alternative transport.
• You will have experience of conducting interviews with suspects under PACE.

For further information regarding this role, please contact DS Becky Jago on 07736 083680 or DI Matt Lawrence on 07736 087285.

For further information in respect of the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit and how the unit plays a key role in disrupting serious and organised crime within the communities across the South West of England, please visit our website - www.swrocu.police.uk

You must hold a full current driving licence or be able to travel around the region on alternative transport

Please note appointments to this post are subject to a higher security clearance at SC (E) & MV 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.

Please note the SW ROCU commuting policy is currently under review with Regional HR.

Does this sound like the role for you? Click the link below to apply.

Why work for the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit?

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative collaboration, responsible for policing a large diverse, multi-cultural population across the region. If you are looking for a fresh challenge which offers a genuine opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, variety and the chance to broaden your experience, then the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit will most definitely be of interest to you.

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.

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.

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.

Vetting and safeguarding

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.