At a Glance
- Tasks: Covertly monitor subjects to gather evidence on serious crime threats.
- Company: City of London Police, committed to equality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: National pay scales, flexible working options, and supportive networks.
- Other info: Challenging role with opportunities for career growth and teamwork.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team tackling serious crime while developing your investigative skills.
- Qualifications: Current surveillance qualification and demonstrable investigative experience required.
The predicted salary is between 43617 - 53309 £ per year.
- Post Title: Surveillance Operative
- Type of contract: Permanent
- Rank/Grade: PC/DC
- Directorate/Department: SO - Surveillance
- Statement of expectation for the role: You will be expected to remain in this role for a minimum of three years
- Vetting level required: SC/MV
- Location: Subject to requirements
- Salary: National pay scales plus allowances
- Description Of Department
The team provides a variety of surveillance capabilities that are used against a range of serious and organised crime threats.
Operatives covertly monitor subjects to gather evidence and intelligence about their criminal activity.
You will predominantly be deployed in London and the Home Counties, however you should be prepared to work throughout the United Kingdom depending on operational requirements.
You must be physically and mentally fit and be prepared to work long and unsociable hours, sometimes at short notice.
This is a challenging and demanding role, and the successful candidate will demonstrate strong situational awareness and analytical thinking to effectively deploy on surveillance operations.
Strong teamwork and communication are essential.
We are currently seeking applicants who have a current surveillance qualification .
The written application will be tested under Level 1 of the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework.
Following success at that stage, there will be a CVF based interview and an assessed paper-feed scenario.
Essential Criteria – including the behaviours that will be tested at application/interview:
- You will have demonstratable investigative experience.
- You will have experience and practical application of part 2 of RIPA 2000 and relevant codes of practice.
- You will be familiar with assessing threat and risk in dynamic environments using the National Decision Model.
- You will have a strong team working ethic
- You will be able to operate under pressure in complex situations
- You will possess excellent communication skills
- You will be willing to vary your hours of duty to meet operational needs, often at short notice.
- Current Surveillance Qualification
Desirable criteria
- PIP2 Accredited
- Qualified Trainer
- Surveillance Motorcyclist
- Selection Process
- Written Applications will be subject to a shortlisting process.
- Successful candidates will be interviewed based on the Competency and Values Framework at level 1. This will also incorporate a paper feed scenario.
Applicants who fail to address the skills/knowledge/experience of the job description will not be considered
- If you would like to discuss the post in more detail, please contact
- DI Lee Warrington: lee. warrington@cityoflondon. police. uk
- PS Mark Goodings: mark. goodings@cityoflondon. police. uk
- The closing date for applications is 26/08/2026 at 17:00
This vacancy is open only to those who have the right to work in the UK.
[For internal candidates only] Please note that your application will not be considered without the completed endorsement form.
Please ensure you leave enough time for your verifiers and senior leaders to complete the support of your application before the closing date.
Please note Officers who are not within 3 months of completing their tenure period, will not be eligible to apply for internal roles.
This applies only to Officers who are not currently working within this Directorate.
We strive to ensure all our information and services are accessible to and useable by everyone.
If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with HRservices@cityoflondon. police. uk
The City of London Police is keen to promote flexible working and will, subject to operational policing requirements, proactively consider all applications to work flexibly.
The City of London Police is committed to equality of opportunities and continuously strive for inclusivity within our Force.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities and long-term conditions, those with Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic backgrounds, female candidates, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The way we work is changing.
With a few exceptions most roles will be able to accommodate part time, job share and flexible working patterns.
We can also offer hybrid working patterns of home and office based shift patterns.
Feel free to speak to us about any flexible working requirements.
The Force Has a Number Of Staff Support Networks That Can Offer You Support And Advice.
Applicants Are Very Welcome To Contact The Networks Directly If They Need Any Support Or Ask Any Question Before They Apply.
For Further Information On The Networks And Their Contact Details Please Visit https://www. cityoflondon. police. uk/police-forces/city-of-london-police/areas/city-of-london/about-us/about-us/equality-and-diversity2/equality-and-diversity-support-networks/
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Surveillance Operative employer: City of London Police
The City of London Police is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Bishopsgate where your contributions directly impact public safety. With a strong emphasis on training and development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers in a supportive atmosphere that values teamwork and resilience under pressure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Surveillance Operative
✨Join Security Community Events
Dive into local security conferences and workshops. These events are goldmines for networking with industry professionals, and they often host recruiters looking for candidates for full-time roles like Surveillance Operative. Plus, you can showcase your passion and familiarity with the latest trends!
✨Connect with Industry Experts
Utilise platforms like LinkedIn to follow and connect with leaders in security services. Engage with their content; it shows your interest and can spark conversations that might lead to job opportunities at companies like City of London Police. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for insights or informational interviews!
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✨Directly Apply to City of London Police
Don’t forget to apply for the Surveillance Operative role directly through our website! It not only ensures that your application is seen by the right eyes but also demonstrates your enthusiasm for joining City of London Police.
We think you need these skills to ace Surveillance Operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Certifications:When applying for a full-time position in security services, make sure to showcase any relevant certifications you have, like SIA or other security industry qualifications. This adds credibility and shows that you're serious about your career in this field.
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In security roles, attention to detail is crucial. Use your CV and cover letter to provide examples of how you’ve noticed and addressed security vulnerabilities or hazards in past jobs. This will help us see your proactive approach to ensuring safety.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list duties from previous jobs; instead, frame your experiences in a way that relates directly to the role at City of London Police. Whether that's managing a team, conducting risk assessments, or successfully maintaining safety protocols, make this relevant to what we do.
Share Your Availability and Flexibility:Full-time roles often require a degree of flexibility. Make sure to clearly state your availability in your application, especially if you can work various shifts. This shows us your readiness to adapt to the needs of the role at City of London Police.
How to prepare for a job interview at City of London Police
✨Know Your Security Protocols
In the security services field, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the latest security protocols and technologies. Brush up on things like surveillance systems, access control, and emergency response procedures. You'll likely face technical questions, so having a couple of solid scenarios or case studies ready can really impress your interviewers at City of London Police.
✨Demonstrate Situational Awareness
Prepare to showcase your situational awareness skills. You might be put in hypothetical scenarios where you need to assess potential risks or respond to incidents. Practising how you’d handle these situations ahead of time can give you the confidence to articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork & Communication
Since security services often rely on effective teamwork and clear communication, be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any instances where you’ve had to relay critical information or work closely with other services – this is key for a role at City of London Police.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
You can expect a variety of behavioural interview questions focusing on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Sharing specific examples from previous security roles or related jobs will help demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and reliability to the team at City of London Police.
