POCA Financial Investigator: Beginner to Advanced, CPD Path in Sheffield

Salary: £28,914 - £43,668

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Snig Hill, Sheffield

Department: Crime Services

In this role you will support the work in South Yorkshire Police in disrupting serious and complex organised criminality, primarily through the use of powers conferred by the Proceeds of Crime Act. This is a career graded post. Higher grading will be achieved upon successful completion of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Proceeds of Crime courses as detailed within this role profile. Once accredited, continued CPD must be completed to maintain accreditation as a Financial Investigator at the required banding.

Key Responsibilities

• Beginner Level
• Attend required courses delivered by the Proceeds of Crime Centre and complete the necessary PDP and CPD, including Financial Intelligence Officer, Financial Investigator and Civil Recovery in Summary Proceedings.
• Work with the assistance of a tutor in all aspects of proactive and reactive criminal and/or civil financial investigation work, gathering financial intelligence and ensuring relevant intelligence reports are submitted in the case management system.
• Conduct financial investigations into persons suspected of crime using powers conferred under Parts 5 and 8 of the Act, obtaining and using investigative orders under POCA such as production orders and account monitoring orders, and disclosure orders and customer information orders.
• Present accurate and comprehensive financial information and material in a report writing style, ensuring the product is fit for the audience.
• Evaluate sensitive financial intelligence, ensuring vulnerable victims are identified and safeguarded, and the intelligence is appropriately graded, disseminated and investigated.
• Present accurate and comprehensive information in written or oral forms of evidence in Magistrates and Crown Courts on all relevant matters under POCA.
• Conduct relevant interviews for the civil POCA investigations.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of current legislation, money‑laundering typologies and commercial financial systems to provide professional expertise, advice and guidance to staff.
• Develop skills in identifying matters that may fall within the world of POCA.
• Intermediate Level
• Complete the relevant PDP and CPD aspects required for all powers designated under the Proceeds of Crime Act for any courses attended by the Proceeds of Crime Centre.
• Utilise the full powers of an accredited financial investigator to assist in all aspects of proactive and reactive criminal and civil financial investigations, and asset recovery investigations, gathering financial intelligence and obtaining and using investigative orders under POCA.
• Present accurate and comprehensive financial information and material in a report writing style, ensuring the product is fit for the audience.
• Evaluate sensitive financial intelligence, ensuring vulnerable victims are identified and safeguarded, and the intelligence is appropriately graded, disseminated and investigated.
• Attend any required course delivered by the Proceeds of Crime Centre that has not already been completed, including Civil Recovery in Summary Proceedings (CRISP) and Restraint and Confiscation, as appropriate.
• Seize cash and assets as defined by the Act, conduct the relevant investigation into the provenance of the item, ensuring all aspects of full and frank disclosure are met and conduct relevant interviews as appropriate.
• Keep up to date case management logs and update JARD as appropriate.
• If appropriate, ensure the correct process is completed where cash and assets need to be banked or returned as appropriate.
• Present accurate and comprehensive information in written or oral forms of evidence in Magistrates and Crown Courts on all relevant matters under POCA.
• Ensure all orders obtained are correctly added to the relevant case management system.
• Conduct financial investigations under Part 2 of the Act in relation to applying for Restraint applications, and then ultimately confiscation proceedings with the support of a tutor.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of current legislation, money‑laundering typologies and commercial financial systems to provide professional expertise, advice and guidance to staff.
• Develop skills in identifying matters that may fall within the world of POCA.
• Advanced Level
• Complete the relevant PDP and CPD aspects required for all powers designated under the Proceeds of Crime Act for any courses attended by the Proceeds of Crime Centre.
• Utilise the full powers of an accredited financial investigator to assist in all aspects of proactive and reactive criminal and civil financial investigations and asset recovery investigations, gathering financial intelligence and obtaining and using investigative orders under POCA.
• Draft supporting statements in liaison with CPS to deal with international letters of request (ILOR) for tracing assets overseas.
• Present accurate and comprehensive financial information and material in a report writing style, ensuring the product is fit for the audience.
• Evaluate sensitive financial intelligence, ensuring vulnerable victims are identified and safeguarded, and the intelligence is appropriately graded, disseminated and investigated.
• Seize cash and assets, conduct the relevant investigation into the provenance of the item, ensuring all aspects of full and frank disclosure are met, keeping up to date case management logs and updating JARD as appropriate.
• Present accurate and comprehensive information in written or oral forms of evidence in Magistrates and Crown Courts on all relevant matters under POCA.
• Seize cash and assets, conduct the relevant investigation into the provenance of the item, ensuring all aspects of full and frank disclosure are met and conduct relevant interviews as appropriate, keeping up to date case management logs and updating JARD as appropriate.
• Ensure all orders obtained are correctly added to the CONNECT system.
• Conduct financial investigations under Part 2 of the Act in relation to applying for Restraint applications, and then ultimately confiscation proceedings.
• Act as the subject matter expert in liaison with CPS or the prosecuting barrister in matters at Crown Court.
• Following an order being obtained in Crown Court, ensure the timely and effective disposal of assets in line with legislation and the ordered time to pay limits, working closely with partners from CPS and HMCTS, instruct specialist valuers, court‑appointed management and enforcement receivers and property management specialists, and provide support to partners on managing the valuation and sale of confiscated assets.
• Provide training and support to newly appointed financial investigators and financial intelligence officers, acting as a tutor as defined under the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation by attending the Proceeds of Crime Centre Tutor Course.
• Where identified, liaise with the Regional Asset Recovery Unit for cases whereby further assets have been identified and should be considered for reconsideration purposes through S22 of the Act.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of current legislation, money‑laundering typologies and commercial financial systems to provide professional expertise, advice and guidance to staff.
• Utilise appropriate computer facilities in the preparation of reports, production orders, spreadsheets and graphs to meet the requirements of individual investigations and prosecutions.

Skills and Experience

• Excellent report writing skills with the ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience working with computerised systems, including Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and the Internet.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct investigations (criminal, civil, financial).
• Must possess a full driving licence.
• Must be able to physically undertake personal safety training.
• Able to break down a complex problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.

Vetting Level Management Vetting (MV). If successful, vetting will be reviewed and uplifted.

Diversity & Inclusion

Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from under‑represented groups. In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires part‑time or job‑share working hours.