Digital Forensic Unit Technician (NEROCU)

Northumbria; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Car lease scheme

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Gym access

Cycle to work

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Northumbria Police is seeking a Digital Forensic Unit Technician in Sunderland. The role involves extracting and analysing data from digital devices, supporting investigations, and maintaining forensic equipment in a high‑standard, regulated environment.

The successful candidate will follow national guidelines, contribute to quality management, and assist in preparing statements and court attendance. This permanent, full‑time post offers a structured public sector career with extensive training

Qualifications

• Experience in forensic examination of digital devices.
• Accurate and detail-oriented.
• Ability to plan and organise time effectively.
• Demonstrable problem solving skills.
• Strong teamwork and communication with non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Use forensically safe techniques to secure and retrieve data from digital systems.
• Process recovered digital data for evaluation and analysis.
• Test and maintain equipment for effective operation.
• Apply and support quality controls to meet regulatory codes.
• Provide specialist technical advice to support investigations.
• Ensure compliance with the unit's Quality Management System and codes of practice.
• Participate in improvement projects and promote quality standards.
• Prepare statements and court-ready reports.
• Assist in archiving and data retention processes.

Skills

Forensic data analysis

Attention to detail

Time management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Forensic qualifications

Job description

Salary: Band 5 £28,689- £29,859 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Sunderland
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit is one of nine Regional Organised Crime Units (“ROCU”) in England and Wales who lead the regional response to tackling serious and organised crime whilst supporting local and national delivery. The ROCU network continues to expand and Home Office funding through police officer uplift and increased police staff capacity presents exciting opportunities to further enhance service delivery and positively impact on our partners and the public. The Home Office Serious and Organised Crime Strategy defines ROCU as leading the regional fight against Serious and Organised Crime and NEROCU have a critical role in leading, connecting and co-ordinating delivery across our region in all four P’s of the strategy; Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting people engaged in serious and organised criminality. Prevent – preventing people from engaging in serious and organised criminality. Protect – increasing protection against organised crime. Prepare – reducing the impact of serious and organised crime where it takes place. NEROCU comprises of specialist teams delivering across intelligence, operations, investigations, cyber, economic, technical and digital capabilities.

We’re looking for a Digital Forensic Unit Technician to join the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

Our Digital Forensic Unit is responsible for extracting and analysing data from more than 2,000 electronic devices each year, securing evidence for some of the North East’s most high-profile court cases. Not an easy feat, so we’re looking to grow our team to help us on our journey to become an Outstanding Police Force.

We’ve introduced an exciting new role to strengthen our team, so this could be the perfect time to join us as a Digital Forensic Technician. You’ll support investigations by preparing and extracting data from digital exhibits, maintaining digital forensic equipment, and ensuring as a force we comply with laboratory-based accreditation and Regulatory Code of Practice.

This is a role that is vital in assisting with the investigation of all types of crime, so if you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference – this is the opportunity!

What you’ll do

• Use forensically safe techniques to secure and retrieve data from digital systems in accordance with national guidelines and forensic quality standards.
• Process recovered digital data to enable evaluation and analysis.
• Testing and maintenance of equipment to ensure effective operation and compliance.
• Apply and support quality controls to meet the Forensic Science Regulators statutory code of practice.
• Provide specialist technical advice to support investigations.
• Ensure compliance with the Digital Forensic Unit’s Quality Management System, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice and Conduct.
• Participate in improvement projects and promoting quality standards.
• Prepare statements and reports with the additional responsibility of court attendance.
• Assist in the archiving and data retention process relating to data stored within the unit.

What you’ll bring

• Academic qualifications, working knowledge and/or experience in the forensic examination of digital devices.
• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to plan and organise your time effectively.
• Demonstrable experience in problem solving.
• Strong team working skills.
• The ability to communicate technical processes to non-technical stakeholders.

Please be aware that you will be exposed to police reports, intelligence, and photographic material of a disturbing nature as part of this role. You will need to have the physical and emotional resilience to deal with material of a distressing and upsetting nature.

We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

What we offer

• 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Digital Forensic Unit Technicianwith #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face to face interview.Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via [e-mail] for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV) form and Biometric Testing, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, Biometrics and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent role subject to a six-month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.