Digital Forensic Technician (Harlow Police Station)

Location of Role: Harlow

Advert Closing Date: 14/07/2026

Starting Salary: £33,603.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Shift not 24/7

Weekend/Evening Working: Yes

Kent Police and Essex Police have transformed their digital service to adapt and take advantage of the latest technology and infrastructure available. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to undertake the role of Digital Forensic Technician within Kent Police and Essex Police located at Harlow Police Station, Digital Forensic Hub. Essex Police Digital Forensic Services (DFS) has introduced a revised Digital Services structure designed to support clear career progression and a strong Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework. This ensures all staff are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and experience required to deliver high-quality digital forensic investigations.

Digital technology plays a key role in nearly all modern investigations. This includes computers, mobile devices, gaming systems, CCTV, and satellite navigation systems. As technology continues to evolve, this role requires individuals who are adaptable and committed to ongoing learning to meet emerging investigative challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake the collection and extraction of digital evidence in line with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Provide advice and guidance to officers and staff regarding the proportionate extraction of digital data.
• Apply targeted and streamlined forensic techniques, including triage methods, to support efficient investigations and timely charging decisions.
• Produce high-quality reports and statements suitable for evidential and court purposes.
• Manage a high and varied caseload, ensuring deadlines and service delivery standards are met.

Standards and Professional Practice

• Work in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 quality standards, maintaining compliance at all times.
• Develop and maintain professional competence, contributing to continuous improvement and best practice sharing.
• Keep up to date with developments in digital forensic technology, tools, and procedures.

We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Strong technical aptitude and confidence working with digital devices.
• Education to A-Level standard (or equivalent).
• Experience working within a digital, technical, or policing environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience of producing technical reports to a professional standard.
• Ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands, and meet tight deadlines.
• High levels of emotional resilience, with the ability to handle sensitive and potentially distressing material.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in computer or mobile programming.
• Understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 and its application within digital forensic services.

Working Pattern

• AM Shift: 07:00 – 15:00
• PM Shift: 12:00 – 20:00
• Weekend Shift: 08:00 – 16:00 (1 in 6 weekends)

This is a challenging but rewarding role requiring professionalism, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality forensic services. You will be exposed to sensitive material and must demonstrate resilience, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility at all times. Essex Police offer agile working which allows some flexibility in terms of work arrangements. Due to the operational nature of this role, it will be predominantly office based within an office-based team. Some travel may be required to other police sites to discharge duty. Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work. Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included. Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer.

Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes. Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you're not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you're from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn't apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.