Police Constable - Undercover Online Operative CSAE

Department: Covert Operations Unit
Location: Whitchurch, Hampshire relocating to near M4 Junction 12
Closing date: 21/05/2023

We welcome applications from Police Constables seeking an exciting and rewarding opportunity to join our SEROCU Covert Operations Unit as an Undercover Online operative.

You will deploy as an undercover online operative and work as part of a successful team to investigate a range of offences within the South East Region and surrounding areas. This role will be focused on tackling Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse offences.

You will need to comply with undercover online Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and will be provided with nationally accredited training and support to meet the necessary legislative and practical requirements of the role. Please refer to the Job Description (enclosed with the Job Advert) for further details of role, knowledge, skills and experience requirements.

The successful candidate will be exposed to indecent images of children and highly offensive online material and therefore applicants should carefully consider if this an area they would feel comfortable to work within.

Please note that this role is part of a national, regional and local network and as a result you may be required to travel for business purposes mainly across the south east region and occasionally throughout the UK. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.

Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary for the successful candidate to obtain and maintain vetting level SC. In order to achieve this, you must have resided in the UK for the past five years. Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and studying abroad.

Further Information

The following virtual information briefing will be held to give more information about the role and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions: Friday 12th May at 12:00hrs.

If you would like to attend please contact:  RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk  quoting reference 20286 to register your attendance.

Responsibilities

• Deploy as an undercover online operative in order to investigate a range of offences within the South East Region and surrounding areas. This role will be focused on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse offences.
• Cyber space has no geographical boundaries and therefore the above activity could take place locally, nationally or internationally. At times the UC-Online operative is obliged to assist in the apprehension of offenders with little or no South East Region ties due to the nature of the borderless Internet.
• Accurately capture and record all evidence in a professional and ethical manner in accordance with unit procedure.
• Develop and maintain online personas/pseudonyms/accounts.
• Maintain an excellent knowledge of all current relevant legislation, including stated cases, policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to UC-Online deployments.
• Contribute/attend working groups for the UCOL network to support best practise and drive innovation.
• Work at all times within the confines of the law, (RIPA 2000) and stated cases, in particular those affecting “Agent Provocateur” and the obtaining of unfair evidence (Section 78, PACE 1984).
• Act in accordance within the objectives of any investigation as instructed by the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and to report all relevant material to the Cover Officer.
• Act at all times in accordance with UC-Online training and Approved Professional Practice (APP).
• Provide the Cover Officer with all information required for any operational/generic risk assessments. To immediately inform the Cover Officer of any circumstances, whether known or perceived, that may affect such risk assessments.
• Attend regular welfare support meetings with a mental health professional (psychologist) as directed by South East Covert Operations Unit policy or at the request of the Cover Officer.

Essential role based training

• The post holder will be required to complete a College of Policing UC-Online training course and qualification prior to deployment.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• The role may require the driving of a variety of vehicles and will necessitate the holding of, or the undertaking of, a police driving assessment.
• The post holder will need to be flexible and may be required to work additional hours as per operational requirements.
• Willing to undergo vetting checks.

Required knowledge/skills
Essential

• Demonstrate a good understanding of current legislation, procedures and case law concerning aspects of covert policing, RIPA 2000, CHIS legislation.
• Must be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding and working knowledge of the internet and online forums.
• Must be able to assimilate large amounts of information and have the ability to impart relevant information, particularly around Threat, Risk & Harm to the Cover Officer/Supervisors within the UCOL team.

Desirable

• Experience of working with Covert/Sensitive tactics.
• Experience of Cyber related criminality and Internet Investigation.
• Experience/knowledge of the use of Social Media, Internet forums and the Dark Net.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: 20286