SWROCU Northern Hub, Bristol, near BS34 6PY OR SWROCU Southern Hub, Exeter, near to EX2 7HQ
Please note that the location of the role will have an impact on the terms and conditions. If you have any concerns about your ability to regularly travel to this location using your own transport, then please speak to the hiring manager before submitting an application.
Existing South West police force officers are not applying to join Avon and Somerset Constabulary. You will be seconded to SWROCU in line with the Joint Services Agreement and will remain on your home force terms and conditions. This recruitment platform is hosted by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Join the front line of digital investigations
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) is seeking a driven and forward-thinking Detective Constable, Crime Overseas Production Orders (COPO) Officer to join our Sensitive Intelligence Unit (SIU).
This is not a routine investigative role. It’s a chance to operate at the cutting edge of modern policing, where digital evidence, international cooperation and complex legal frameworks intersect to deliver real-world results. COPO Officers across the country are having a significant impact recovering evidence that has until recently been out of reach for UK law enforcement.
Why this role matters
Serious and organised crime doesn’t stop at borders, and just because investigators may have challenges with data recovery from devices, this doesn’t mean the end of enquiries.
As a COPO Officer, you will play a pivotal role in unlocking critical digital evidence held overseas, enabling investigators and prosecutors to build stronger, faster, and more effective cases. Your work will directly support operational teams tackling the highest-harm threats across the region and beyond.
Within the SIU, you’ll be part of a specialist network, working alongside experts, influencing national practice, and delivering outcomes that truly matter.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading on COPOs to obtain electronic data from international service providers
- Advising and supporting investigators to maximise evidential opportunities in complex cases
- Working closely with legal teams, UKDA, NTAC, and judicial authorities
- Ensuring compliance with key legislation, including the COPO Act 2019 and international data-sharing agreements
- Contributing to high-quality case building that stands up to legal scrutiny
What we’re looking for
You’ll be someone who thrives in a high-responsibility, detail-driven environment and takes pride in enabling others to succeed.
Experience includes:
- Strong ability to draft and present complex applications, including IPA and production orders
- Confidence engaging with judiciary and responding to legal feedback
- Working knowledge of communications data processes and effective collaboration with Comms Data SPoCs
- Excellent audit, disclosure and record-keeping discipline (CPIA compliant)
- Outstanding communication skills, able to influence, advise and collaborate across multiple stakeholder
- In the role you will complete UKDA/Home Office-approved training of the COPO Act 2019
Essential:
- Evidence of COPO capability training completion and currency (or commitment to complete prior to go-live).
- Experience of conducting structured checks and assurance against policy/legislation (e.g., IPA, DPA 2018, CPIA).
- Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative, manage changing demand, and meet deadlines with high attention to detail.
Why join us?
- Be part of a specialist capability that directly strengthens investigations
- Work on complex, high-impact cases with real operational outcomes
- Develop expertise in a growing and nationally critical area of policing
- Join a collaborative, forward-thinking team within a national intelligence network
This is a dynamic role, and you may be required to undertake additional responsibilities aligned to your skills and the needs of the Unit.
If you’re motivated by impact, precision, and purpose, and want to be at the heart of how modern policing secures digital evidence globally, this is your opportunity.
Police Officers from our regional forces should look on the SWROCU microsite for more information about COPO.
Officers looking to transfer to join the Unit can contact SWROCURecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.uk to find out more.
COPO in action
(awaiting this info)
You can find out more about SWROCU on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-west-regional-organised-crime-unit-swrocu
SWROCU is a collaboration of police officers and police staff from the five South West regional forces. We’re part of a national network of nine ROCUs covering England and Wales.
We have more than 20 capabilities that work to Pursue offenders, Protect and Prepare individuals and organisations, and Prevent people from engaging in serious and organised crime.
Our capabilities are here to advise, to assist, or to fully adopt investigations.
We work with local forces and national partners to target and disrupt criminals posing the greatest risk of Serious and Organised Criminality (SOC). This includes offenders involved in cyber threats, economic crime, drug conspiracies, modern slavery and human trafficking, and child sexual abuse and exploitation.
We’re looking for committed people with the right skillset – or ambition to develop that skillset – to join us. People who will thrive working on complex investigations with partners at a regional, national and international level.
Recruitment and Selection
- Recruitment webinar: Tuesday 16th June, 12:00
Hosted by the capability lead or a member of their team, this is an opportunity to find out more about the role, the team you would be part of, and ask any questions.
Please contact swrocurecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.uk, whereby invites will be sent accordingly. Please note that webinars will not be recorded.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - we would like to make you aware that this webinar will be a group video call which may show your personal details, such as your name and email address, to other attendees on the call. Attendees also need to be mindful of the misuse of personal data and information displayed in the webinar.
- The closing date for receipt of applications is: Monday 6th July 2026 at 9am
- Shortlisting will take place week commencing: Monday 6th July 2026
How to Apply
All applications are processed through the Avon and Somerset Constabulary online Oleeo portal.
Contact SWROCURecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.ukfor further information.
If you reach the assessment/ interview stage of a process and become a reserve applicant, we would like to retain your application. This will be pending further vacancies arising for the same role in a 6-month period. By giving your consent this does not prevent you from applying for any other opportunities.
South West Force Applications
If you are applying from a South West police force you must speak with your line manager and Senior Leadership Team to ensure your application will be supported. The attached pro-forma must be endorsed by your home force Senior Leadership Team prior to submitting your application.
Existing South West police force officers are not applying to join Avon and Somerset Constabulary. You will be seconded to SWROCU in line with the Joint Services Agreement and will remain on your home force terms and conditions.
Transferring officers from outside the South West region
We have reached an agreement with all five regional police forces that allows you to apply directly for a SWROCU vacancy. If you are successful in this process you may then choose which of the five South West forces you wish to join.
Please note your successful completion of SWROCU recruitment will be subject to you meeting all the required standards for your chosen South West police force.
Additional Information
Vetting and safeguarding
This post is subject to a higher security clearance at MV and SC – Management Vetting and Security Clearance Level.
To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a five-year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last five years.
In accordance with the National Vetting Policy, SWROCU are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.
Police Barred and Advisory lists
Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of five years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or three years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
SWROCU is working hard to increase diversity and inclusion where communities are currently under-represented including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions, gender, LGBTQ+ communities and those from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve. All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.
Flexible and Part Time working
All requests for flexible working patterns and part time working will be considered and be dependent on the role, this includes job shares and part-time hours.
Travel to Work Protocol
This is an incentive whereby officers working for SWROCU may be able to claim compensation for travelling to work if they meet a set criteria.
For more information, please refer to a copy of the protocol attached. Should you have any questions please make contact with SWROCUBusinessTeam@avonandsomerset.police.uk
If you are interested to find our more information about this post, please email us at: SWROCURecruitment@avonandsomerset.police.uk
