Covert Authorities Bureau Investigator

Would you like a career like no other? If so… JoinUs

South Wales Police brings together thousands of people with the same aim – to keep South Wales safe.

We want to be the best at understanding and responding to our community’s needs. To do this we need the very best candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to become part of our policing family.

We are looking for someone to #JoinUs as an investigator in our Covert Authorities Bureau. Could you be who we are looking for?

About the team/Department you will be joining:

Applications are sought from individuals with the prerequisite skills and experience for an investigator role within the Covert Authorities Bureau (CAB), which manages Covert authorities for South Wales and TARIAN Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) which includes Directed Surveillance, Intrusive Surveillance, Property Interference, Targeted Equipment Interference, Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) and Operational Partnership Team (OPT) authorities.

The successful candidate will work within a small and closely knit team, within a controlled environment and be based at a location within the South Wales police force area. The role will require the successful applicant to work in the region of 18.5 hours per week.

About the role and your key responsibilities :

The CAB investigators are the gatekeepers for all covert authorities and assist the force authorising officer by quality assuring covert policing applications and provide advice and guidance in respect of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016 and any other relevant legislation and management of records and products.

The post holder will provide where required assistance to the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) during their annual inspection of the force and assist the force to implement any recommendations made by IPCO.

The post holder will be expected to provide specialist advice, guidance and support to covert operations and investigations and provide (when required) additional and more widespread support ensuring communication of any changes or updates in covert legislation, working practices and or policies across the organisation.

The main responsibilities will fall under the following headings – Advice & Guidance, Organisation & Planning, Processes, Research & Investigation, Risk Management & Legal Compliance and Customer Service and Representation.

What skills and experience do we need you to bring to the role:

The following will be essential to the role.

Qualifications

Must have a good standard of education to at least GCSE A-C Level including Maths and English or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills and abilities.

Skills

Must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft applications.
Must have current knowledge of covert policing legislation and relevant procedures.
Must be able to demonstrate the ability to offer accurate investigatory/legislative guidance to investigators/SIOs when under pressure or dealing with numerous requests.
Must be able to consider and analyse material generated by investigations and to provide written and oral reports thereon.
Demonstrate the ability to work with limited supervision as part of a small team, being able to prioritise workloads.
Demonstrate a broad understanding of legislation and procedure associated with policing.
Must be able to work closely with Investigatory Powers Commissioners, Judicial Commissioners and their officers.

Knowledge

Must be able to demonstrate an in depth and good working knowledge of MOPI Code of Practice, CPIA the Data Protection Act, and their implication on the Police Service.
Must be able to demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of current legislation and code of practice with regard to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and the Police Act 1997

The following will be desirable to the role.

Qualifications

Police investigative experience/qualifications or
Legally related professional qualification e.g., ILEX/LPC qualification

Skills

Have experience of a case management system.

Welsh Language Level 2 - Can understand the essence of a conversation in Welsh and can convey basic information and respond to simple requests in Welsh. Can use Welsh to transfer telephone calls. Can introduce oneself and others by name, role, and location/organisation.

Knowledge

Have experience of working within a police environment and/or within a public body.
Disclosure and CPIA issues within the judicial process
An understanding of the key principles and requirements of records and product management legislation (Similar to GDPR), would be beneficial.

There are numerous benefits to working for South Wales Police, from learning and development opportunities to schemes which aim to improve your lifestyle and wellbeing, as well as generous Local Government Pension Scheme / Police Pension Schemes, paid annual leave, flexible working and family friendly policies and many more, click here for more information.

If you would like any more information about the role, please contact DI Adrian John on 01656 776741.

The successful Candidate must be willing to undergo vetting to MV/SC Vetting.

Please note, if you are an internal candidate and subject to an ongoing PSD investigation, your appointment or placement in the role may be delayed pending an outcome. Whether the role is held open will be considered on a case-by-case basis

First time applying for a role with South Wales Police? Be sure to read our application guidance for some hints and tips around the application form and what to expect, click here for more information. Please note the successful candidate must be willing to undergo vetting to the required level.