Job Title: Civilian Investigator - Special Enquiry Team (SET) - 01
Salary: The starting salary is £40,519, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.
The salary is broken down as £37,510 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £40,141. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Putney
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Special Enquiry Team (SET) within Specialist Crime of the Metropolitan Police.
We are looking for a highly motivated, inquisitive and resilient civilian investigator who will investigate complex and sensitive allegations, including those made against politically exposed persons and high-profile individuals, ensuring enquiries are conducted lawfully, proportionately, and to a high professional standard. The successful individual will take on a nationally significant position as the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) lead for allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice, applying relevant legislation including the Representation of People Act 1983 and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
The role focuses on collaborating with oversight and regulatory bodies such as the Electoral Commission, Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), and Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to ensure investigations are transparent and aligned to governance requirements. You will be a trusted subject‑matter expert, helping safeguard the integrity of UK democracy and shaping investigative approaches in some of the country's most high‑profile enquiries.
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. By joining them, you’ll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on public confidence and contribute to investigations that attract national attention.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead day-to-day investigative activity under Police Investigator Programme Level 2 (PIP 2) accreditation, exercising designated powers to interview suspects, search premises, and secure evidence, ensuring all actions comply with legislation and policy.
- Plan and conduct investigations into allegations of electoral fraud and political malpractice, gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence to support criminal justice proceedings.
- Prepare, conduct, and document formal interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses, securing accurate testimony that contributes to case progression.
- Liaise with victims and complainants to provide updates, manage expectations, and ensure victim care is integrated into the investigative process.
- Analyse intelligence and data from open-source platforms and MPS systems to identify investigative opportunities and risks, producing succinct reports to inform decision-making.
- Manage documentation, exhibits, and case files in line with chain-of-custody and disclosure requirements, ensuring accuracy and continuity.
- Draft clear, analytical reports and case files for submission to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other criminal justice partners, enabling prosecution decisions.
- Build effective relationships with oversight bodies (Electoral Commission, IPSA, Parliamentary Standards Commissioner) to exchange information and ensure coordinated investigation outcomes.
- Identify, assess, and escalate risks associated with politically sensitive or high-profile enquiries, ensuring proportionate mitigation measures are in place.
- Work flexibly within a small team, supporting colleagues and adapting to changing investigative priorities to achieve timely and robust outcomes.
Who we're looking for:
- Knowledge of investigative legislation, policies, and procedures, including the Representation of People Act 1983, Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and associated criminal law.
- Understanding of evidence management and disclosure obligations within criminal investigations.
- Awareness of data protection considerations in handling sensitive personal and political data.
- Skilled in conducting and recording PIP 2 accredited interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses.
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information, distilling it into accurate, concise, and evidentially robust reports.
- Proficient communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to explain complex matters clearly to varied audiences including senior officials and external regulators.
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion, sound judgement, and integrity.
- Experience of managing complex and sensitive investigations, applying investigative techniques to secure outcomes in line with legal and policy requirements.
- Experience of working with oversight or regulatory bodies (e.g. CPS, Electoral Commission, Parliamentary Standards authorities) in progressing investigations
- Designated powers (search, interview, evidence-gathering) under police staff investigator framework.
Essential Criteria
- Accredited Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) Level 2 is a mandatory qualification for this role.
Benefits:
You’ll 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.
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.
Closing date: In order to streamline our recruitment process, we reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
This role does not attract Shift Disturbance Allowance. If you are currently in a shift-working role, SDA should cease upon appointment to this job.
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 (SC) level before taking up the post.
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 why you want to join the Special Enquiry Team. 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/or Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 26th October 2026.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview.
