Job description
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) is looking for Cyber Crime Investigators (Digital Forensic) keen to progress their careers as part of our Regional Cyber Crime Unit. We have two positions currently available (permanent and fixed term contracts).
The Regional Cyber Crime Unit is a multi-disciplinary team that works closely with partners and deals with the most serious types of cyber criminality affecting the South West region. Alongside these investigations, the team has a significant part to play in investigating cyber dependent crimes such as computer network intrusions, denials of service, ransomware extortion, malware development, supply, deployment and data theft/ breaches.
The role requires a dynamic and innovative investigator using cutting edge techniques and technology. There will be a need for you to display a sound forensic approach to investigations and you’ll undertake live and dead box data recovery and network forensics to provide evidentially sound technical support to operations and investigations into the most serious incidents of computer network based crimes. You will need to be able to communicate your findings in both written and verbal form to the understanding of cyber-crime investigators and victims.
In this role, your main responsibilities will include:
- Forensics analysis of: Computers and large-scale computer networks, Mobile devices, UAVs (drones), Vehicle telemetry systems
- Malware
- Scene attendance at warrants and victim premises
- Advanced project development
- Providing technical advice to a range of departments
- Continual research and development
Technical skills in computer network analysis, mobile phone and device examination are important. There will be structured training course opportunities, but you will also be expected to keep up to date with current cyber-crime trends and technologies. An awareness of the threats posed by cyber-crime is also essential. The post holder must hold a full current driving licence. Some flexibility in the pattern of working may be required to meet special demands of the duties of the post.
The Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) was established in September 2010 to disrupt, dismantle and destroy serious and organised crime across the South West of England. It is made up of the five forces in the region – Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire – to work across the county borders. It brings together the capability and funding to gather intelligence, crack serious and organised crime networks and seize the assets of the criminals involved. SWROCU 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.
SWROCU 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.
It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re strengthening our officer numbers and we continually invest in both our people and new technology, so that as serious and organised crime evolves, so do our skills and capabilities. In order to achieve this we need the best people who are keen to develop their careers, unleash their full potential and are up for the challenge of working on complex investigations.
The ROCU also works in close partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA), Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), United Kingdom Border Force (UKBF), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS).
Skills, experience and qualification required:
- The post holder will hold a degree or equivalent and be experienced in the specialist field of computer forensics, together with a working knowledge of forensic based computer examination software packages
- They will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, the ability to handle difficult conversations and potentially hostile situations. They will have excellent interpersonal skills and will have the ability to convey technical matters to a non-technical audience. They will also have a working knowledge of legislation relating to the use, investigation and seizure of electronic material.
- Effective decision making and the ability to influence others in the decision making process are essential. The postholder will hold a full current driving license or be able to travel around the South West Region using alternative transport.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation such as Computer Misuse Act, ACPO Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence and the
- Data Protection Legislation, together with a knowledge of malware, database construction, network investigation, forensic laboratory practices and procedures, evidence handling and court presentation would all be advantageous. Experience of presenting evidence in court is also desirable.
- Some flexibility in the pattern of working may be required to meet special demands of the duties of the post.
Recruitment and Selection
- Recruitment webinar : Thursday 13th April 2023 at 13:00. Please contact [email protected], whereby invites will be sent accordingly. Please note that webinars will not be recorded.
- The closing date for receipt of applications is: Monday 24th April 2023 at 17:00.
- Shortlisting will commence: Thursday 27th April 2023
- Assessments/Interviews will be held week commencing: TBC
- Candidates will be subject to a practical assessment as part of the interview process.
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.
We have two positions currently available one permanent position and one fixed term contract until 31/03/25.
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.
Travel to Work Protocol
This is an incentive whereby staff working for the ROCU may be able to claim compensation for travelling to work if they meet a set criteria.
For more information please refer to a copy of the protocol attached, should you have any questions please make contact [email protected]
If you are interested to find our more information about this post, please email us at: [email protected]
About us
Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset.
We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.
We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.
Find out more about our benefits and culture
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Important information before you commence an application (for external applicants)
You will require the following detail to complete this application form:
- National Insurance Number
- Identification Detail e.g. passport
- Address information including proof
- Referee information
- Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained
- Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe of any visible tattoos you have
If the role requires you to drive you will also be required to upload details from your full driving licence including photos.
Important information before you commence an application- for ALL applicants
The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.
Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.
If the role has evidence questions you may wish to save these remotely and paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission.