Prison Intelligence Officer in Exeter

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) is looking for a Prison Intelligence Officer keen to progress their career within the Regional Prison Intelligence Unit.

Hours: Full Time but part-time hours will be considered.

Location: There will be an expectation to travel across locations within the South West region. Base location will be discussed prior to appointment; however, this will be either HMP Bristol, HMP Exeter, SWROCU Northern Hub, Bristol or SWROCU Southern Hub, Exeter. 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.

If you are applying from one of the Regional Forces you will be seconded to SWROCU in line with the Joint Services Agreement and will remain on your home force terms and conditions and graded pay scale for the role.

Salary: A&S: SO1 D&C: Grade 7 Dorset: Grade F Glos: SO1 Wilts: W7

Prison Intelligence Officers (PIOs) work inside prison daily alongside HMPSS staff. The PIO will often be the only policing resource within the estate. Therefore, the ideal candidate needs to be highly self-motivated and resilient as well as having the ability to work unsupervised for periods of time.

PIOs need the skills, knowledge and ability to gather and develop intelligence and disseminate high-quality reports. The post requires the ability to run intelligence operations and facilitate and deploy established intelligence tactics, including prisoner de-briefs. It also requires the ability to compile detailed reports, including risk assessments on prisoners both inside the prison and those who are due for release into the community.

PIOs are ambassadors for the SWROCU and Law Enforcement so they need excellent interpersonal qualities along with strong written and verbal communication skills. Also desired is the ability to make balanced, rational decisions and maintain detailed records and documentation. PIOs also need the confidence and ability to attend meetings and deliver training to colleagues.

Due to the demand and complexity of the role, PIOs need to have good working knowledge of the National Intelligence Model and experience of overt and covert police intelligence development tactics. They need an understanding of the management of police information (MOPI). A knowledge or interest in the prison environment along with the rules on how HMPPS maintain good order and discipline would be advantageous.

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 staff and officers work into 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.

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working – with many of our roles we can be flexible regarding working hours.
• Continuous professional development – we encourage and support career growth, giving you the opportunity of a flourishing career.
• Well-being support – we have many support mechanisms in place to assist in improving your personal health and wellbeing.

Skills, experience and qualifications required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to make balanced rational decisions and negotiate and influence individuals with the ability to work in partnerships and to operate effectively within a multi-agency environment.
• Excellent computer literacy skills with the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
• Hold a full current driving licence or be able to travel around the region using alternative transport.

• A thorough working knowledge of the National Intelligence Model and demonstrate the ability to proactively seek out intelligence development opportunities without the need for specific tasking or guidance.
• A good knowledge of ECHR, MOPI (NCPE guidance on the management of police information), RIPA and Prison Rules, particularly as regards prison environment.
• Prison debrief training and experience of CHIS (Covert Human Intelligence Source Handlers) course at level II or III.

Recruitment webinar: Wednesday 19th August, 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.

The closing date for receipt of applications is: Tuesday 1st September, 09:00. Shortlisting will take place week commencing: Tuesday 1st September. Interviews will be held week commencing: TBC.

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.

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 staff working for SWROCU may be able to claim compensation for travelling to work if they meet a set criteria.

About us: Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset. We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring. We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/Hybrid Working: Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible. This role has been identified as a blended role. The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.