Covert Asset Support Officer - Counter Terrorism Policing
Closing date: 4th November 2025, 11:59pm
Salary: £36,630 - £42,897
Grade: 6
The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) network stretches across the UK. We work alongside partners to find information and evidence to thwart terrorist planning and help bring perpetrators to justice.
Based at our modern offices near to Birmingham International Airport, the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (CTPWM) coordinates the regional counter terrorist response and provides specialist support to police forces in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and the West Midlands.
Our Operations Room (CTPOR) is at the forefront of our work to confront terrorism, with officers and staff operating around the clock to support covert surveillance deployments.
You’ll work a shift pattern including earlies, lates, one weekend in four and occasional nights. However, due to the nature of the role, you’ll need a high level of flexibility to enable us to respond dynamically to intelligence. This includes short-notice shift change requests and possible requirements to support an on-call rota.
Being part of a national network, you may also be required to support covert operations in other regions across the country, at times at short notice. This will therefore likely include travelling and overnight stays.
The role
Using your excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively under pressure, you’ll participate in live covert CT operations supporting our surveillance teams.
Using your eye for detail and professional curiosity, you'll interrogate a range of police systems to develop intelligence to support covert operations.
Previous covert operational experience is preferable for this role as you’ll need to listen and communicate effectively by radio, as well as monitoring and recording information accurately. You’ll demonstrate integrity, professionalism and the ability to manage sensitive information at all times.
Full training is provided including regular Continuous Professional Development opportunities, and some courses may require attendance outside of our region.
Responsibilities
- Communicating and monitoring communications with deployed surveillance assets to ensure the safe and effective deployment of officers.
- Maintaining clear and contemporaneous record of deployments using CLIO logging software, accurately documenting intelligence and evidential opportunities.
- Preparing and delivering briefings to specific personnel as directed by the operations room manager.
- Monitoring covert surveillance camera feeds and clearly communicating observations to surveillance teams.
- Recording observations from camera feeds in an evidential logbook.
- Conducting and developing live time intelligence research to support the deployment using a variety of intelligence systems including PNC, Insight, ANPR, open source and covert databases.
- Monitoring assets and providing timely pre-emptive situational awareness to enhance the health and safety of the deployed asset and the general public.
- Supporting the effective running of the department to enhance service delivery.
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Experience of working effectively in high-pressure situations and using initiative.
- Experience of verbally communicating relevant information in a professional and concise manner – both verbal and written with excellent listening and observation skills with internal and external partners at different levels/ranks.
- Knowledge and understanding of the National Decision Model (NDM).
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 (Office, Teams, Outlook etc.) and general computer literacy.
- At least 2 years’ experience of working with various technical and/or complex computer systems.
Desirable
- Knowledge of covert policing.
- Knowledge of the National Intelligence Model (NIM).
- Experience of prolonged periods of intense observation and listening.
- Experience of operating CCTV systems in compliance with agreed protocols.
- Proficient with IT systems used to manage mapping, radio communications, electronic logging and intelligence.
- Experience in handling of highly sensitive intelligence.
Security Clearance
⚠ This role requires British Nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and Developed Vetting.
You will need to undergo additional security clearance checks, with the offer of employment being conditional on obtaining all of the necessary security clearances.
There are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.
Diversity & Inclusion
We maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm.
Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs, flexing working patterns to ensure work-life balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.
We are 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.
Advertisement Closing Date
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing.
Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.


