Post Title: Detective Sergeant – Digital Exploitation Service (DES)
Rank/Grade: Detective Sergeant*
*This role is aimed at internal/external substantive Detective Sergeants and also open to internal Detective Constables who are suitability qualified to work as an Acting Detective Sergeant.
Regulations state an officer can only be Acting in rank of Sergeant if they are suitably qualified. The regulations define being qualified as:
- having passed the necessary examination
Directorate/Department: Specialist Operations – Intelligence Services
Statement of expectation for the role: Minimum 2 years
Vetting level required: MV/SC- Applicants may be requested to undertake and achieve DV level vetting as part of the role.
Location: City of London Police and occasionally in other Force Areas
Salary: According to National Pay scales and allowances
Description of Department:
An exciting opportunity for a Sergeant in a well-established specialist intelligence and investigation team delivering digital support to investigators across the organisation. You will lead and manage the force’s subject matter experts in use of internet resources to gather information, intelligence and evidence.
- Whether tasked or as an emergency ‘call for service’ the Digital Exploitation Service will be the centre of excellence providing the most innovative and impactive digital capability across the force.
- You will, in line with the force control strategy, tackle the most serious crimes lawfully exploiting our unique systems and partnerships.
- Crucial in the fastest evolving of spaces you will ensure knowledge and professionalism both within the digital exploitation service and internal and external partners.
You will identify and implement the latest methodologies, access the new and innovative techniques and deliver an exceptional service across the local and national lead functions.
In addition to core working hours, you will be required to work outside normal working hours, at weekends and during holiday periods by forming part of a 24-hours on call rota for high threat, harm and risk operations.
Purpose of the Role:
Internet Intelligence and Investigation (3i) is the evolution of ‘open source’ to a full time, tasked, investigative role supporting all investigative teams across the Force.
This includes but is not limited to the use of overt and covert tactics for:
- Accessing areas of the internet, including apps, which would otherwise be closed (including dark web and deep web)
- Lawfully gathering metadata on individuals’ activity through deployment of online resources
- Lawfully monitoring social media or other online activity of a group, individual or relevant geographical area
- Support the wider strategic plan and work to force and national lead objectives.
This post will lead and manage the delivery of the Digital Exploitation Service’s capabilities across the organisation, ensuring the effective gathering, development and evidential use of online intelligence to support investigations and safeguarding.
The post holder will also act as the Digital Media Investigator Coordinator, overseeing digital media demand, capability standards, tasking and compliance with national guidelines.
This role requires operational leadership, the ability to provide proportionate and innovative tactical advice, and implement strategic direction on the use of digital/online intelligence to better protect the public.
Essential Criteria:
Experience
- Substantive Detective Sergeant (or equivalent as above) with proven investigative experience.
- Demonstrable experience in serious and complex investigations, including managing investigations or teams.
- Strong understanding of digital investigation techniques, including social media and online research, communications data and forensic downloads.
- Experience of managing or working alongside Digital Media Investigators or Digital Forensics Units.
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Knowledge
Working knowledge of:
- OSINT methodologies and tools
- Digital evidence handling and forensic processes
- CPIA disclosure requirements
- RIPA – Directed Surveillance
- Data protection and lawful basis for online intelligence gathering
- Understanding of the intelligence cycle and National Intelligence Model (NIM).
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Skills
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to assess risk, threat, and harm and prioritise activity accordingly.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including evidential statement preparation.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex digital information.
- Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders.
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Desirable Criteria
- Accredited Digital Media Investigator (DMI) or equivalent experience.
- Formal training in OSINT / Internet Investigation techniques.
- Experience working within intelligence units or specialist digital teams.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency investigations, darknet environments, or advanced analytics tools.
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Key Competencies (Aligned to Policing CVF)
- We Analyse Critically
- We Support and Inspire
- We Deliver, Support and Inspire
- We Take Ownership
- We Are Emotionally Aware
- We Collaborate
The post holder should be aware that they may, at times be exposed to visually and or audibly disturbing material, which may include images of child abuse.
Post holder should lead by example, take responsibility for own development attaining accreditation of IPP, behaving in line with the Code of Ethics and Force values
The application and interview will be tested under Level 2 of the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 18th August at 5PM.
Applicants who fail to address the skills/knowledge/experience of the job role will not be considered.
If you would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact Brad Savage or Oli Walker via HRServices@cityoflondon.police.uk
Internal Officers only (external officers are not required to submit an endorsement form)
Please note that your application will not be considered without the completed endorsement form. Please ensure you leave enough time for your verifiers and senior leaders to complete the support of your application before the closing date.
Please note Officers who are not within 3 months of completing their tenure period, will not be eligible to apply for internal roles. This applies only to Officers who are not currently working within this Directorate.
This vacancy is open only to those who have the right to work in the UK.
The City of London Police is keen to promote flexible working and will, subject to operational policing requirements, proactively consider all applications to work flexibly.
The City of London Police is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Benefits:
*In return, we will offer a number of benefits including a generous pension scheme, a free Oyster card for London (TFL) travel and subsidised national rail travel, which allows you to travel within an approximate 70 mile radius. For further information please visit:
https://careers.cityoflondon.police.uk/working
The ATOC Rail Travel Concession allows regular serving police officers to travel on National Rail services within an approximate 70 mile radius of London for a small monthly cost. This is a taxable benefit that the City of London Police negotiates and Officers make a contribution to the cost of the scheme. If you wish to confirm if your journey would be covered under this scheme, please contact HR Services directly as the 70 miles is an approximation. *
A diverse workforce improves the service we provide to our public by making us more approachable and relevant within our communities. This is why it’s vitally important that we recruit people from a wide range of communities and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural issues and a wide range of skills. We therefore particularly encourage female and people from Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic communities to join us.
The way we work is evolving. With a few exceptions, some roles can accommodate part-time hours, job shares, and flexible working patterns. These roles may also offer some flexibility in how time is split between home and the office; however, the general expectation is that colleagues will be based in the office for the majority of their working time. We encourage you to discuss any flexible working requirements with us. Specific arrangements will be agreed locally with your hiring manager if you are successful in your application.
The Force has a number of Staff Support Networks that can offer you support and advice. Applicants are very welcome to contact the networks directly if they need any support or ask any question before they apply. For further information on the networks and their contact details please visit:
We strive to ensure all our information and services are accessible to and useable by everyone. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with HR via hrservices@cityoflondon.police.uk.
