Regional Control Desk Operator (Folkestone) Grade D

Essex & Kent Police; Folkestone; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex & Kent Police are recruiting for a role at the Regional Control Desk in Folkestone. The post involves 24/7 shift work within a control room, supporting Counter Terrorist Border Policing Officers as they assess persons of interest moving through Kent ports.

Training will be provided for policing IT packages; prior use of Athena, PNC, Storm and PND is advantageous. The role requires teamwork, resilience, and strong communication under pressure.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of research methods.
• Well-developed decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of Counter Terrorism Policing in Kent.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK CT threats.
• Understanding of UK Government's CONTEST strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support Regional Control Desk (RCD) and partner agencies to manage demand and referrals.
• Utilise policing IT packages (Athena, PNC, Storm, PND) with training provided.
• Coordinate incidents within the Port Environments under supervision.
• Assist in investigations and provide evidence of activity to national units.
• Communicate effectively with police officers and other forces.

Job description

Location of Role: Folkestone

Advert Closing Date: 23/09/2026

Starting Salary: £31,959.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 24/7 shift

Weekend/Evening Working: Yes

Opportunities for support staff are available at the Regional Control Desk (RCD) based at the Channel Tunnel UK terminal in Folkestone.

You will be working within a control room environment that is unlike any other, as the Regional Control Desk is an environment that has direct responsibilities in supporting Counter Terrorist Border Policing Officers in their core function of identifying and examining persons of interest as they travel through Kent borders into and out of the European Union.

You will be required to use various policing IT packages in order to fulfil your role. Previous experience in using Police systems such as Athena, PNC, Storm and PND will be a distinct advantage, although not essential since suitable training will be provided.

You will provide evidence of the following skills/experience; efficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office packages, good communication skills, resilience when working under pressure and an ability to work as a team.

This is an opportunity to work closely with Governmental Organisations and other partner agencies, including other Police Forces around the United Kingdom. You can help make a positive difference to the transient population that travel through Kent ports as we protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.

Additionally, you will be assisting the management of demand into the Regional Control Desk from Partner Agency referrals, National Border Targeting Centre Alerting, supporting colleagues at the Illegal Migration reception centre and complying with the flex and surge CTP Borders model, so evidence of a demanding everchanging workload would be beneficial.

You would be dealing directly with police officers, carrying out investigative functions on persons who travel through Kent, dealing with national units who alert the regional control desk of persons who may be traveling through our border, who are of interest to national security or wanted by other forces around the United Kingdom.

This role requires the user to perform investigative functions on subjects, direct Counter Terrorist Police Officers and with the direction of the RCD Sergeant, manage and coordinate incidents within the Port Environments.

The successful candidate would be able to demonstrate -

• A thorough understanding of research methods and can fully utilise these for a range of research projects
• Well-developed decision-making skills.
• Has a good understanding of the work done by Counter Terrorism Policing in Kent
• Has up to date knowledge of current Counter Terrorist threats to the United Kingdom
• Has an understanding of the United Kingdom Government's CONTEST strategy

This role also holds additional responsibilities where you would be required to relocate to a dedicated Incident Command Centre located within the Channel Tunnel UK Terminal to facilitate the flow of information during any major incident that requires an emergency service response within the tunnel system. Full training will be provided for this function.

Should you have any questions in relation to this role please do not hesitate to contact the RCD Manager PSE Eddie Evans 61312, [e-mail] , 07976531997

Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary to pass and maintain developed vetting. To achieve this, you must be a British National and have resided in the UK for the past ten years. Exemptions apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and studying abroad.

Kent Police offer incremental increases within this salary band, therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum of £37,056.00.

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.

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.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at [e-mail] stating 'Application Support and Adjustments' in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. 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.