OCSAE Police Staff Investigator – Investigations Officer - 01

This role is within the Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) Team in Specialist Crime of the Metropolitan Police. The investigator leads and conducts investigations into online child sexual abuse, securing evidence, apprehending suspects, and implementing safeguarding measures.

Responsibilities include:

• Viewing and grading indecent images of children, managing intelligence-led investigations, handling digital evidence, preparing case files, and liaising with partner agencies to achieve effective judicial outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and assess intelligence packages to identify suspects and risk factors, initiating safeguarding actions.
• Conduct structured research using police systems to progress enquiries and build investigative leads.
• Plan, prepare and conduct operational activity, including lawful execution of search warrants, arresting offenders, and securing evidence.
• Apply for search warrants and present applications to court with authorization, ensuring legal and evidential compliance.
• Lawfully seize, record, and manage exhibits to maintain continuity and evidential integrity.
• Conduct triage and examination of digital devices, escalating items for forensic review where appropriate.
• Interview suspects and witnesses in line with PIP2 standards, obtaining evidence ethically and effectively.
• Identify victims and offenders through analysis of seized material, implementing safeguarding interventions and referrals.
• Fulfil disclosure obligations under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) to support fair trials.
• Prepare comprehensive case files using the MPS Connect system, liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to progress cases through the criminal justice process.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, including children’s services, other police forces, and national/international law enforcement, to share intelligence and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
• Provide peer support, mentoring and welfare awareness to colleagues, contributing to a resilient and effective investigative team.
• Review and categorize indecent images of children, ensuring accurate classification to support investigative decisions and safeguarding strategies.

Vetting:

• Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post.

Who we're looking for:

• Understanding of evidence gathering and presentation in court.
• Knowledge of proactive and reactive investigation techniques, including covert methodology.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures (Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Children’s Act, Human Rights Act, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act).
• PIP2 accredited, able to interview suspects and victims of serious crime.
• Ability to assess and manage risk to vulnerable victims and suspects.
• Experience safeguarding vulnerable people and children in a law enforcement and multi-agency context.
• Prioritise workload, operate independently, and work collaboratively within a team.
• Complete comprehensive case files and submit them to the CPS in a timely manner.
• Competent with MPS Connect case management system or willing to undergo training.
• Willing to undergo regular psychological screening to maintain resilience when handling distressing material.
• Experience contributing to or coordinating serious and complex investigations in policing, regulatory bodies, intelligence, legal or safeguarding environments.
• Experience handling and safeguarding exhibits, ensuring evidential continuity and integrity.
• Experience writing and applying for search warrants.
• Experience preparing and presenting evidence in court.
• Experience working with digital evidence, including triage of computers and mobile devices with Indecent Images of Children.
• Experience safeguarding vulnerable persons in a law enforcement context.

Essential for the role:

• Evidence of learning to Level 3 Standard or equivalent.
• Possession of PIP2 accreditation.
• Either possession or willingness to possess designated powers under the Police Reform Act.

Benefits:

• Annual leave entitlement of 28 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service.
• Civil service pension arrangements.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Membership of Met sports and social clubs.
• Flexible working conditions and many more.

Disability Confident Statement:

The Met is committed to being an equitable and inclusive employer for disabled people, encouraging applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences, especially those with disabilities, long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met commits to including disability equality in everyday practice and ensuring people with disabilities and long-term conditions have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, please include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.