THE ROLE
An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen for a substantive Sergeant/Detective Sergeant within our Sensitive Intelligence Unit (SIU). As a critical function, the SIU are forecasting future vacancies and will also be supporting applications from officers, supported by their line manager and Head of Department (DCI or equivalent), who are seeking a temporary/acting opportunity at this rank.
The Eastern Region Specialist Operations Unit (ERSOU) have responsibility for targeting and disrupting Serious and Organised Crime through the delivery of covert services across the Eastern region. The Sensitive Intelligence Unit (SIU) is a specialist department, at the forefront of intelligence collection and covert policing with responsibility for managing and developing intelligence, assessing the threat picture to the region, and identifying emerging threats and trends. The SIU intelligence officers are at the heart of delivering specialist covert policing capabilities to tackle threat, risk, harm and identifying opportunities to disrupt Organised Crime Groups. The SIU works closely with partners utilising highly sensitive intelligence feeds conferred by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) in support of proactive covert operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The role is for a dynamic and motivated Sergeant to join a team of operational supervisors within the SIU but with specific responsibility for overseeing business assurance/compliance, safeguarding/protection of high-level intelligence tactics, operational security and to undertake development of a new role as an SIU training coordinator.
ERSOU SIU provide intelligence support to the region’s highest priority Serious and Organised Crime investigations, including drug importation, firearms supply, threats to life and murders as well as leading intelligence cells (aka Green Rooms) to support live Kidnap and Extortion ‘Crime in Action’ investigations led by Major Crime Units.
You will work closely with the National Crime Agency, ERSOU Operational Teams, the Serious and Organised Crime Teams in each of the regional Forces, and any other Force departments or Agency who require specialist intelligence support, providing covert tactical advice to Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs) and rationale to support decision making.
As an Assurance Sergeant/Training coordinator you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of compliance against a wide array of departmental policies including national partners requirements for safeguarding and handling sensitive high level intelligence tactics. You will be responsible for identifying, developing and implementing good practice & process improvements within the unit. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the SIU and its customers are protecting sensitive equities, complying with the Sensitive Intelligence Network Operating Model (SIN OM), relevant codes of practice, safeguards, and legislation (in particular IPA 2016), and will assist with inspections from the NCA, IPCO and SIN.
You will be instrumental in developing and implementing a new role of training coordinator to ensure that all staff withing the unit meet national standards of competence through undertaking mandatory specialist training and organising regular continuous professional development training events with partners within the Sensitive Intelligence Network.
You will also join a cadre of supervisors who lead and manage live intelligence investigations into Kidnap, Extortion & Blackmail (Crime in Action) offences in support of and under the direction of a Kidnap & Extortion SIO on an on-call rota basis.
Experience in working within covert policing and sensitive intelligence is essential for the role with experience of product handling (managing targeted intercept material) being desirable. Successful applicants will be expected to attain Intelligence Professional Portfolio (IPP) accreditation.
Successful applicants will be required to undertake full SIU training courses and adopt additional responsibilities as a STRAPSO and Operational Security Liaison Officer.
There is an 8-week rotation shift pattern with evening on-call requirement for 7 days in every 8 weeks, split over four weekdays (Mon-Thurs) and one weekend (Fri-Sun) however, successful candidates will need to adopt a flexible approach to the working day due to the unpredictable nature of serious & organised crime investigations.
The role is fixed location within a secure covert environment due to the nature of business and predominantly office based, although some regional travel will be required. Access to department unmarked police vehicles will be available for this purpose.
The commitment can be challenging but the role is extremely rewarding as you will play a vital role in achieving outcomes against those persons who cause the most harm to our communities.
ERSOU – Who we are and what we do
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) oversees and delivers a regional level response to Serious and Organised Crime made up of both Police Officers and Police Staff who work closely with police forces and partners. Each department offers an opportunity to work and develop professionally within specialist areas, often delivering capabilities beyond the scope of local forces.
The region also delivers a response, again made up of both Officer and Staff, to support the Prevent, Pursue, Prepare and Protect CONTEST pillars and CT Borders Policing, alongside a partnership arrangement with the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command regarding investigations.
Working for ERSOU presents a fantastic opportunity for you to learn and develop within a unique law enforcement community whose staff and officers are dedicated to protecting the public from the threat of terrorism and serious and organised crime.
For Further information
Email us at ASK.ERSOU@beds.police.uk , emails will be forwarded on to the relevant recruiting manager. Or visit our website at https://www.rocu.police.uk/careers/ will endeavour to reply within 3 working days.
To apply for any role within ERSOU, you are required to be a current serving Officer within the below Forces. If you are not, you will need to apply to transfer to one of these Forces before we would be able to accept an application for an ERSOU Officer role.
There will be a series of Open Events offered to prospective candidates, in order to give an overview of the role, and the requirements of the application and assessment process. Registration can be completed by following this link and completing the MS Form: https://forms.office.com/e/emMfh8sFsU
IF YOU ARE AN APPLICANT FROM-
ESSEX/KENT OFFICERS
Before submitting an application, please ensure that this advert has been supported by your home force, and that you have read and understood the eligibility criteria - the link for this can be found on your home force’s Secondments and External Opportunities webpage. If you are unsure, please contact HR Resource Planning on -
Kent & Essex HR (Resource Planning)
hr.resource.planning@ecis.police.uk
(Kent Officers Only)“Accredited detectives in divisional detective posts:
The force reserves the right to consider current local resourcing positions and priorities. The force may make the decision to only progress applications from officers in divisional detective posts, if they have completed a minimum of 18 months service following date of accreditation. Applications may also not be progressed where local resourcing requirements do not allow release in an acceptable timeframe. Applicants will be informed as to the progress of their application at the relevant stage(s) of the selection process.”
NORFOLK/SUFFOLK OFFICERS
No further authorisation required
CAMBS OFFICERS
Not opened to Cambs Officers
BEDS OFFICERS
No further authorisation required
HERTS OFFICERS
Not opened to Herts Officers
Additional Information
All internal/external applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period to apply for this role.
As a Disability Confident leader, we take personal responsibility to help create an inclusive workplace, where police officers and staff respect one another, feel valued for their differences and can be themselves. We are committed to providing workplace adjustments, wherever needed so everyone feels welcome and can flourish. If you have a disability and you meet the minimum criteria for the position you are applying for, you will be entitled to an interview under the ‘Offer an Interview Scheme’.
It is recommended that you download and store a copy of the role profile as this will no longer be available once the advert has closed
