OCSAE Police Staff Investigator – Investigations Officer
Job Title: OCSAE Police Staff Investigator – Investigations Officer
Salary: The starting salary is £43,425 which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £35,998 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £38,523 Plus, a location allowance of £1,928, a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000 and 12.5% shift allowance
Location: Vauxhall
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) Team within Specialist Crime of the Metropolitan Police.
We are looking for police staff investigators to lead and conduct investigations into offences of online child sexual abuse and exploitation, ensuring that evidence is lawfully secured, suspects are apprehended, and safeguarding measures are implemented to protect children at risk. The role requires regular viewing and grading of indecent images of children and continuous engagement in discussions related to child sexual abuse investigations. Additionally, the post holder will manage intelligence-led investigations, handle digital evidence, prepare case files, and liaise with partner agencies to achieve effective judicial outcomes.
Working for the Met doesn’t have to mean patrolling the streets. Just as important as our uniformed officers is our 14,000-strong team of professional and support staff working behind the scenes. It’s these skilled people who provide the organisational capability to police London.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Review and assess intelligence packages to identify suspects and risk factors, ensuring safeguarding actions are initiated.
- Conduct structured research using police systems to progress enquiries and build investigative leads.
- Plan, prepare and conduct operational activity, including the lawful execution of search warrants, arresting offenders and to secure evidence.
- Apply for search warrants and present applications to court (with authorisation), ensuring legal and evidential compliance.
- Lawfully seize, record, and manage exhibits to maintain continuity and evidential integrity.
- Conduct triage and examination of digital devices, escalating items for forensic review where appropriate.
- Interview suspects and witnesses in line with PIP2 standards, ensuring evidence is obtained ethically and effectively.
- Identify victims and offenders through analysis of seized material, implementing safeguarding interventions and referrals.
- Fulfil disclosure obligations under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) to support fair trials.
- Prepare comprehensive case files, using the MPS Connect system, and liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to progress cases through the criminal justice process.
- Collaborate with partner agencies, including children’s services, other police forces, and national/international law enforcement, to share intelligence and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
- Provide peer support, mentoring, and welfare awareness to colleagues, contributing to a resilient and effective investigative team.
- Review and categorise indecent images of children, typically obtained through digital extractions, ensuring accurate classification to support investigative decisions and safeguarding strategies.
Who we're looking for:
- You have an understanding of evidence gathering and presentation in court.
- You have knowledge of proactive and reactive investigation techniques, including covert methodology.
- You have knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures (Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Children’s Act, Human Rights Act, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act).
- You are PIP2 accredited, with ability to interview suspects and victims of serious crime.
- You have the ability to assess and manage risk to vulnerable Victims and Suspects.
- You have knowledge and experience of safeguarding vulnerable people and children in a law enforcement and multi-agency and child protection context.
- You have the ability to prioritise workload and operate independently while working collaboratively within a team.
- You can complete comprehensive casefiles and submit in a timely manner to the CPS.
- You are competent with MPS case management system - Connect or are willing to undergo training and continual development.
- You have the willingness to undergo regular psychological screening to maintain resilience in handling distressing material.
- You have experience contributing to or coordinating serious and complex investigations for example within policing, regulatory bodies, intelligence, legal or safeguarding environments.
- You have experience handling and safeguarding exhibits, ensuring evidential continuity and integrity.
- You have experience writing and applying for search warrants.
- You have experience preparing and presenting evidence in court.
- You have experience working with digital evidence, including triage of computers and mobile devices with Indecent Images of Children.
- You have experience in safeguarding vulnerable persons in a law enforcement context.
Benefits:
In addition to your starting salary all professional and support staff are eligible for an additional location allowance of £1,928
You’ll also enjoy the kind of great benefits that you’d expect from one of London's largest employers.
These include;
- Annual leave entitlement of 28 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service
- Civil service pension arrangements
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Membership of Met sports and social clubs
- Flexible working conditions and many more.
Vetting
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post;
London is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world – and policing it is no easy task. It takes a huge number of people from all sorts of different backgrounds with a wide range of skills and experience. Do you have what it takes to be one of them? Find out if a career with the Met is what you’re looking for and what kind of challenges; experience and rewards you could have in store.
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button “. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 18th February 2026.