The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) is seeking an experienced and motivated Detective Sergeant to join the Covert Operations Unit (COU). This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to lead and support a highly skilled team of undercover operatives engaged in tackling serious and organised crime, online offending, and the highest harm threats affecting communities across Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Thames Valley.
As a Detective Sergeant within COU, you will play a pivotal leadership role in the planning, coordination and oversight of undercover operations, ensuring activity is conducted lawfully, ethically and in line with national standards. You will provide tactical advice to investigations, supervise covert deployments, manage risk and welfare, and work closely with regional and national partners to deliver effective operational outcomes. The role also includes responsibility for the development and performance of staff, management of covert assets and infrastructure, and supporting the wider strategic delivery of undercover policing capability across the region.
We are looking for a confident and resilient leader with experience of serious and organised crime investigations, a strong understanding of covert policing legislation and governance, and the ability to make sound decisions in complex and sensitive operational environments. Applicants must hold PIP 2 accreditation and have completed the College of Policing A3 course or be able to pass this course within 12 months of the posting. Experience of supervising investigators or covert activity, managing risk, and working within multi-agency partnerships would be advantageous.
The successful candidate will demonstrate integrity, professionalism and strong communication skills, alongside the ability to support and inspire others. They will be comfortable working autonomously, adapting to changing operational demands, and maintaining the highest standards of welfare, ethics and compliance whilst delivering results in a dynamic covert policing environment.
Please note that this role is part of a national, regional and local network and as a result you may be required to travel for business purposes mainly across the South East region and occasionally throughout the UK. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.
Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary for the successful candidate to obtain and maintain vetting level SC together with a number of enhanced security checks. In order to achieve this, you must have resided in the UK for the past five years. Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and studying abroad.
You can find more information about security vetting here.
How to Apply
To apply, click on the “Apply” button below and submit your application before the closing date of 6th December 2026 at 23:55hrs
The leadership within CTPSE and SEROCU are actively committed to embedding and sustaining an inclusive culture that recognises and champions the diversity of our people, and promotes equity and equality so that everyone can succeed at work. The region is delivering this commitment through a long term strategy that takes a holistic and intersectional approach to wellbeing & inclusion. Our strategy is underpinned by the five strategic objectives;
Inclusive Culture – We will create, embed, and continually develop an inclusive culture for our people.
Engaged & Involved – We will ensure our people are engaged, involved, and listened to.
Wellbeing – We will prioritise the wellbeing of our people.
Representation – We will attract, recruit, retain and develop a diverse workforce.
Inclusive by Design – We will ensure that inclusion is a core principle of our policies, products, and decisions.
We welcome applications from those interested in part time and flexible working, and encourage applications from our under represented communities.
Our people say that benefits include a good work/life balance, a supportive and welcoming place to work and great opportunities to further develop your own capabilities.
If you wish to apply you need to have support from your Head of Command / Department.
- Hampshire officers need to complete an AD277b alongside their application. This form is not available on the force’s standard forms library. It can be found on the HR Portal. Please contact WFPlanning@hampshire.police.uk if you have any queries relating to this.
- Kent Officers will need to inform Kent HR Resource Planning at the earliest opportunity of intention to apply. Every Officer application form must be signed by the Chief Supt or police staff equivalent and sent to Kent HR Resource Planning no later than 5 working days prior to closing date unless exceptional circumstances apply. This is required so that Chief Officer approval can be obtained for the application to progress, which will be managed by Kent HR Resource Planning. These steps must be completed prior to submission application. If your application for an opportunity is not approved prior to submission to the recruiting organisation you may not be supported for release to the role, should you be successful.
- Officers from other forces are welcome to apply. You may wish to consult with your HR team regarding completion of additional forms.
Please upload your latest PDR (or if no PDR, a recent copy of your CPD record/Focus Feedback meeting) and a copy of your Training Record. Please also upload the Recommendation for Appointment Form (enclosed with the Job Advert) in the ‘Line Managers Approval Form’.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk. If you have applied for this role in the last six months, we respectfully ask that you do not reapply at this current time.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy if we receive a high volume of applications. Should you wish to apply for this post, we advise you to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
Please use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when completing your application, wherever possible, as this will enhance performance.
