Digital Investigation Specialist - Directorate of Major Investigations (DMI)

The IOPC exists to investigate complaints fairly and thoroughly. The IOPC has the power to initiate, carry out and oversee investigations. It is also responsible for monitoring the way complaints are handled by local police forces.

The purpose of the role of Digital Investigation Specialist (DIS) is to work as part of a national dedicated digital team, using their digital expertise to enhance IOPC investigations, providing advice and guidance to Investigations colleagues on the collection, review, and presentation of digital evidence.

The DIS will provide technical expertise on cyber-digital investigation issues encountered by Lead Investigators during IOPC investigations, coordinate digital submissions to external forensic suppliers, and where appropriate to conduct digital review of devices and associated download material to produce evidential material for use in proceedings.

We'll assess you against these Level 2 behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating & Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

This vacancy is using Success Profiles. Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience, Strengths, Technical skills and Values. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete two behavioural, one experience and one technical question based on the essential criteria.

Moderation will take place W/C 3rd February 2025 and we endeavour to inform candidates of the outcome the following week. Anticipated assessment and interview dates will be from 17th February and onwards. The assessment will consist of a Success Profiles Interview.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide an expert specialist function in the end-to-end investigative process by identifying digital opportunities, recovering evidence, managing forensic submissions, reviewing key evidence, and producing investigative material to deliver against lines of enquiry.
• Deliver a specialist operational capability at incident scenes, providing strategic oversight, coordination of resources and taking ownership to preserve and recover digital evidence in accordance with national standards and good practice.
• Produce reports and statements in relation to specialised, technical digital lines of enquiry and explain these findings in proceedings when required (including expert testimony if qualified and authorised when required).
• Design and deliver comprehensive training programs to enhance the digital investigation capabilities of staff at all levels, fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
• Develop, implement, and oversee digital investigation policies and procedures, ensuring they are up to date with the latest legislation, technology, and best practices in collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide advice and explanation of digital investigation techniques, evidence, products, and policy.
• Deliver a high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective service to investigations – offering technically sound, evidence-based advice and challenge, including to senior staff.
• Provide strategic oversight and coordination of digital forensic operations, ensuring effective resource management and high-quality outcomes.
• Work with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure legal compliance, drive continuous improvement and IOPC effectiveness in cyber-digital capabilities.
• Take responsibility for developing and maintaining knowledge of technological, legislative, social, and political developments in the cyber-digital arena.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews and quality assurance of digital investigation processes, providing detailed reports and actionable recommendations to senior leadership to drive continuous improvement.
• Horizon scanning and identifying future changes to the operations manual, policy and procedure.
• Build and maintain appropriate professional relationships with relevant stakeholders to ensure that IOPC understanding of relevant legislation and policy remains current, in line with emerging technologies and best practice.
• Assess, report and act on threat, harm and risk posed to IOPC investigations nationally through changes in technology, legislation, policies, or patterns in offending.
• Utilise specialist knowledge to develop in-depth digital investigation strategies, identifying lines of enquiry whilst ensuring practices align with policy and legislation.
• Regularly update senior leadership and key stakeholders on the progress of digital investigations through detailed reports and presentations, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for cross-departmental working, providing advice and signposting investigators to internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Assist operational investigators with the identification, recovery, and presentation of digital evidence to ensure that investigative outcomes are achieved.
• Drive and support advancements in DIU, the wider organisation, and the police complaints system by actively participating in a wide variety of working groups with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive to promote innovation and improvements to quality and standards, to achieve and maintain investigative excellence.
• Recover, present, and utilise cyber-digital evidence during investigations in accordance with policy and national good practice.
• Act as a single point of contact for the IOPC to plan, manage and process digital forensic submissions with external suppliers/Digital Forensic Units, and manage/maintain these relationships.
• Attain and maintain specialist training and accreditation, driving personal development in line with the technical requirements of the role.
• Lead and manage strategic initiatives and projects related to digital evidence recovery and presentation, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and compliance with national standards.
• Quality assure the storage and management of digital material obtained by the IOPC, ensuring its integrity in line with IOPC policy and security standards.
• Provide expertise both internally and externally surrounding cyber-digital evidence in IOPC investigations, managing risk and maximising opportunities.
• Develop knowledge of and utilise specialist forensic software to extract and review digital evidence, delivering usable products to stakeholders against lines of enquiry.
• Quality assure peer produced evidential products and provide constructive feedback within established quality review processes.
• Reviewing digital actions undertaken by external bodies and advising on their proportionality and appropriateness.
• Undertake proactive research into the latest hardware and software products, techniques, and good practice available, including applications, and assess how they may support IOPC investigations and make recommendations.
• Promote the effective use of digital technology in the police complaints system, supporting learning recommendations and organisational policy.
• Proactively identify and report on threats and opportunities to the IOPC’s cyber-digital investigation capability.
• Develop and maintain an expert working knowledge of the DEMS system to effectively manage digital evidence and support business requirements.
• Provide specialist advice/expertise on appropriate wording regarding digital evidence to investigators for use in, for example, warrant applications, search briefings, etc.
• Employ an investigative mindset whilst reviewing digital evidence, informing Lead Investigators of potential further offences or conduct issues where applicable.
• Represent the DIU in meetings with external bodies, including CPS, to provide digital expertise.
• Utilise specialist knowledge and forensic tools to access and remediate subject devices, ensuring the secure and complete deletion of unauthorised or illegal digital materials, including images, videos, contacts, and messages, in compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Assist the Directorate of Major Investigations and the Operations Directorate in achieving its key deliverables.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Investigative experience and to hold relevant IOPC accreditation or an equivalent investigative accreditation.
• Driving licence valid for driving in England & Wales.
• Good general education or demonstrated through structured workplace development.
• Experience and/or knowledge of digital investigations.
• Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills, including report writing.
• Delivering a high standard of work within demanding timescales.
• Identification of operational and organisational risk.
• Working effectively in a changing environment.
• Stakeholder negotiation and influencing.
• Highly developed IT skills including use of MS Word and MS Excel.
• Experience processing digital evidence in accordance with relevant policy and guidance.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of using digital forensic software, such as Cellebrite Reader, XRY and XAMN.
• Experience of attending searches/arrests where digital evidence has been relevant.
• Experience of liaising with complainants, vulnerable victims and subjects to obtain digital evidence.
• Experience in providing evidence-based advice and challenge to senior staff.
• Experience in developing strategies, standards, procedures, policies, and guidance.
• Knowledge and understanding of the IOPC’s operational work, including referrals and investigations.

The role requires clearance to BPSS.

National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reasonable Adjustments

The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. We are open to providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, please see potential reasonable adjustments below that we can provide:

• Extra time for presentations or interview questions
• Formatting changes such as colours for text or background on written assignments
• Questions presented in writing during interviews

If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email Recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk

About The Company

As a completely independent organisation, the IOPC seeks to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson. We are looking for people to uphold our core values, and in return we will give you a supportive and inclusive work environment to flourish in.

Be yourself

The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.

• As a silver standard Stonewall employer, we continue to commit to being a LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi and queer people.
• We are pleased to share that we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors.
• Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicated to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace.
• Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.

Package Description

• 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
• Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
• Civil Service pension
• Civil Service maternity leave package
• PAM employee assistance programme
• Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
• Car Leasing Scheme
• Staff networks focused on each of the protected characteristics – run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQI+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity behaviours

Additional Information:

The IOPC is not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process, therefore successful candidates will not be able to transfer to the IOPC on their existing terms and conditions.

The IOPC does not participate in the UK Visa Sponsorship Scheme therefore, candidates will have to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK if offered a role with us.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, therefore a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate during the pre-employment process.

Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Emotional Consideration:

In performing this role, you will have regular exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, it is also possible that you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC, please contact humanresources@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.

Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.