Are you a technically skilled problem solver with a passion for innovation, electronics, communications, networking or engineering?
Do you thrive in challenging environments where no two days are the same?
This is an exciting opportunity to join the South East Technical Surveillance Unit (SETSU), where you'll play a vital role supporting investigations into serious organised crime and counter-terrorism operations. Working alongside specialist teams, you'll deploy cutting-edge technical solutions that help protect communities and bring offenders to justice.
This is not your typical technical role. You'll be combining technical expertise, creativity and operational thinking to deliver specialist surveillance capabilities in some of the most complex policing environments.
As an Operations Technician, you'll be at the forefront of specialist technical support, using advanced surveillance technologies to support operational objectives. Responsibilities include:
- Planning and delivering technical surveillance solutions
- Deploying audio, visual, tracking and communications equipment in urban and rural environments
- Providing expert technical advice to investigators and senior officers
- Maintaining, testing and developing specialist equipment and systems
- Producing evidential material for investigations and potential court proceedings
- Conducting technical research and development to enhance future capabilities
- Supporting operational activity across the South East and beyond when required
You'll be trusted to think independently, adapt quickly and make critical decisions in fast-moving operational environments.
We are seeking to appoint a candidate with excellent communication skills and up-to-date knowledge of relevant technologies with proven use of computer technology and Microsoft packages. The successful applicant will be HNC qualified in Electronics, Radio or Telecommunications (or equivalent).
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.
You will be also required to perform on-call arrangements for immediate response as required across the South East region.
Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary to pass 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. Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and those 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 27 October 2026 at 23:55hrs.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fair and transparent recruitment, we provide guidance on how AI may be used during the application and interview processes. Please familiarise yourself with our AI Guidance for Applicants - TVP Careers
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 excellent terms including a generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the Job Reference number 15474. If you have applied for this role in the last six months, we respectfully ask that you do not reapply at this current time.
IMPORTANT: If you are a permanent member of TVP staff applying for this role, please note it will be offered on a secondment basis. Important: All secondments must be supported in writing by your Line Manager and Head of Department/Commander or Deputy. If the secondment is not supported then a strong business rationale must be sent to recruitmentse@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the reference number for the role. Please attach written approval from your line manager and Head of Department in your application. If the secondment is not supported then the role may be offered on a fixed term contract basis, but this has implications including loss of continuous service protections.
In certain circumstances, the same arrangement may be available to staff from other police forces. Applicants should consult their HR team to confirm whether their application will be supported on a secondment basis.
Police staff who are employed with Hampshire Police are requested to please submit 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@hants.gov.uk if you have any queries relating to this.
Shift allowance, on-call or other job related allowances from your previous role will not be protected unless they are attached to the new role.
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.
