Intercept Case Officer – Police Constable

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONLY OPEN TO SERVING CONSTABLES IN STAFFORDSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE AND WEST MERCIA. APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOMED FROM TRANSFEREES FROM NPCC FORCES WITH EXPERIENCE IN THIS ARENA.

Interceptor’s Story
What is it?
Many people do not know what Targeted Interception (TI) is or that we as region use it daily as a tactic to support serious crime operations across the West Midlands region.
It is important that we remove some of the mystery around the tactic to really highlight what a dynamic and exciting role it is and to encourage you to think about joining our team to help combat some of the region’s most dangerous and prolific Organised Crime Groups.
Within the framework of the Investigatory Powers Act, TI is a vital tool that allows law enforcement to identify and understand the methodology used by OCGs, and provides actionable intelligence to support operational activity.
We conduct the live time interception and assessment of criminal communications and provide intelligence to operational teams across the North West region and beyond. The intelligence that we as a team generate can lead to significant evidential interventions and the satisfaction you get from a result, seizure or having directly prevented a person from coming to harm is immense.

So, who are we?
We are a small, inclusive and driven team from across Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands forces with a variety of backgrounds and policing experience. We work alongside colleagues from other regions and also the National Crime Agency in an office dedicated to the tactic.
We work closely with colleagues from the regional Sensitive Intelligence Unit, and Senior Investigating Officers and their operational teams, to ensure that information is disseminated appropriately to maximise the operational opportunities.

What do we do?
We intercept communications, but we do so much more than that. Our role really is about understanding the OCG’s and how they operate, their methodologies and communication methods, and feeding that back into the teams so that they can make best use of resources for the most impact.
We are tightly governed by operating procedures that ensure we are using the tactic in accordance with legislation and that we are not at risk of compromising it.
We often manage real and immediate risks and threats to life that must be assessed and handled dynamically to prevent harm to the public and to our colleagues.

When do we work?
Our core hours are 06:00hrs –22:00hrs Monday to Friday and on weekends we cover 08:00hrs-16:00hrs (we work on a rota that means we work 1 weekend in 4). The Monday – Friday shifts are split into a week of earlies 06:00 – 14:00 and then a week of lates 14:00 – 22:00.
Like many other police functions, there are times when we respond to dynamic intelligence that requires us to stay on duty but my colleagues and supervision really pull together to make sure we support each other as a team.

How does it work?
Well this is the part that remains a mystery to those not involved in the tactic … but should you come and join us you will gain an in-depth knowledge of the tactic and how it is used. This posting is open to officers of all levels of experience and service and requires no prior posting within a Serious Organised Crime role. No specific policing background or experience is required as full training is provided. You first have to complete an assessment to see if you have the potential to become an interceptor.
Once you complete that there is a 10-week course. Some of that time is spent in the classroom but most of the time you will be mentored by one of the team on our live operations. This mentoring phase is really where you get a feel for the role. You are fully supported with a training plan and the mentoring is tailored to you, we have all been through the process and everyone is here to help you succeed.
You will then be a solo interceptor, but you will always have the support of your colleagues. No two days are the same and there will always be something new.

Why do we do it?
I can honestly say that in my 20 years working in the police in various roles, from uniform policing, reactive CID and many years working in a SOC team as an investigator, that this is one of the most interesting and rewarding roles I have undertaken. I have relished the opportunity to work alongside other forces and agencies – learning about tactics that I had no clue existed before entering this world.
Looking back at the results on operations that our team has generated really does make me proud and to have this kind of impact is why I came into policing in the first place.
Is it for you?
West Midlands ROCU are running a series of assessments in the Spring/Summer for our Summer/ Autumn recruitment programme for new interceptors.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide fast paced operational support to the ROCU by gathering, assessing and disseminating intercept intelligence in accordance with legislation and policy;
Ensure the accuracy, security and timely dissemination of intelligence, maintaining confidentiality, sensitivity and duty of care in line with ROCUWM policy;
Build good working relationships with both internal and external partners - including other Police Forces, NCA and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA);
Draft and submit warranty and communications data applications, as required, for the purposes of intelligence gathering;
Conduct intelligence development, research and assessment in support of the sanctioned operations on behalf of ROCUWM;
Contribute to the acquisition and development of tactical and strategic intelligence relating to Serious and Organised Crime, affecting the ROCU Region and UK policing landscape;
Occasionally respond to Serious and Organised Crime outside of core hours to service dynamic and unpredictable threats and risks of serious harm;
Establish and maintain awareness of Regional Forces and National databases, systems and information relevant to role to promote the use of latest techniques, tactics and best practice in accordance with NPCC guidelines;
Establish and maintain a personal knowledge of covert techniques and their application for proactive and reactive investigations including applicable legal and regulatory constraints to support specialist guidance to decision makers to achieve operational outcomes.

Essential Skills:

Understanding of the use of intelligence and evidence.
Understanding and working knowledge of IPA and RIPA
Ability to identify intelligence gaps with demonstrable ability to prioritise, evidencing research skills with the ability to problem solve
Knowledge of the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and NPCC Guidance on the Management of Police Information (MOPI).
Knowledge of police systems and policing; current legislation, policies and procedures (e.g. GDPR, Human Rights Act, CPIA).
Highly effective, interpersonal verbal and written communication skills. The post holder will be articulate, methodical, conscientious and concise.
Work effectively with minimal supervision whilst remaining team focused. Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and produce accurate work within tight deadlines.
Flexibility to occasionally support outside of core working hours. Able to evidence self-motivation and use of own initiative. Excellent time management skills and a good co-ordinator.
Ability to operate with the highest standards of integrity, discretion, confidentiality and aptitude to digest complex operational plans and manage highly sensitive information within the Government Security Classification (GSC) and Security Policy Framework (SPF).

Desirable Skills:

Previous experience of working in Targeted Intercept Operations (required for transferees)

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

Contact: If you're interested in finding out more, particularly around remuneration packages for officers that conduct this role, please contact DI Steve WILLS on stephen.wills@westmidlands.police.uk

Location: Warrington

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
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