Regional Technical Surveillance Officer - South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU)

Avon and Somerset Police; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police force is seeking a Technical Surveillance Officer to join their specialist Technical Surveillance Teams. The role involves delivering bespoke technical assistance in support of serious and organized crime across the South West Region. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and experience in relevant technologies. This position offers significant professional development opportunities and requires a full driving license. Candidates must possess excellent problem-solving and communication skills. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

Flexible working

Continuous professional development

Well-being support

Qualifications

• HND or HNC (or recognized BTEC) in electronics, radio, or telecommunications required.
• Experience of working in a technical environment is necessary.
• Full driving license or ability to travel around the region is needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver operational technical surveillance within the South West Region.
• Implement strategies for covert surveillance operations.
• Work with local and national law enforcement partners.

Skills

Electronics knowledge

Communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Technical environment experience

Health and safety awareness

Education

HND or HNC in electronics

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Almondsbury - SW ROCU Northern Hub, within the vicinity of junction 16 of M5 - BS34 6PY OR Newton Abbot - within the vicinity of Newton Abbot- TQ12 6JD

Please note that the location of the role will have an impact on the terms and conditions. If you have any concerns about your ability to regularly travel to this location using your own transport, then please speak to the hiring manager before submitting an application.

Full Time, permanent and 6-month bank

If you are applying from one of the Regional Forces you will be seconded to SWROCU in line with the Joint Services Agreement and will remain on your home force terms and conditions and graded pay scale for the role. This recruitment platform is hosted by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

If you are applying as an external candidate you will be applying to join Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Salary:

A&S: PO3-6, plus call-out/standby allowance
D&C: Grade 9
Dorset: Grade G
Glos: PO1
Wilts: W10

The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) is looking for Technical Surveillance Officers keen to progress their careers as part of our Technical Surveillance Teams. This team delivers bespoke technical surveillance assistance and solutions in support of both serious and organised crime; and major crime across the whole of the South West Region.

We are looking for a technically minded, enthusiastic and dedicated individual who already has a good technical grounding to become part of a specialist team. The Regional Technical Surveillance Officer is responsible for day-to-day operational delivery of technical surveillance within the South West Region.

The role will incorporate a combination of Information Technology, electronic and engineering disciplines. To assess all operational requirements and implement effective strategies in support of covert surveillance operations.

The role is very interesting, challenging but also extremely rewarding and the support we provide our customers, the SWROCU and it constituent forces, plays an integral part in both Serious and Organised Crime; and Major Crime investigations.

You will enjoy a varied workload, which affords them the opportunity to work with local, regional, national, and international law enforcement partners, as well as private companies and members of the public.

The successful candidate will have significant development opportunities through an extensive learning and development program inclusive of both courses and external through the College of Policing and other external specialist course providers.

SWROCU is a collaboration of police officers and police staff from the five South West regional forces. We’re part of a national network of nine ROCUs covering England and Wales.

We have more than 20 capabilities that staff and officers work in to Pursue offenders, Protect and Prepare individuals and organisations, and Prevent people from engaging in serious and organised crime.

Our capabilities are here to advise, to assist, or to fully adopt investigations.

We work with local forces and national partners to target and disrupt criminals posing the greatest risk of Serious and Organised Criminality (SOC). This includes offenders involved in cyber threats, economic crime, drug conspiracies, modern slavery and human trafficking, and child sexual abuse and exploitation.

We’re looking for committed people with the right skillset – or ambition to develop that skillset – to join us.

What we can offer you –

• Flexible working – with many of our roles we can be flexible regarding working hours and your primary location.
• Continuous professional development – we encourage and support career growth, giving you the opportunity of a flourishing career.
• Well-being support – we have many support mechanisms in place to assist in improving your personal health and wellbeing.

Skills, experience and qualifications required

Essential:

• HND or HNC (or recognised BTEC) in electronics, radio or telecommunications or relevant workplace experience and ability to demonstrate up to date knowledge of relevant technologies
• Previous knowledge/experience of at least one of the following: video, audio, optics, alarm, telecommunications, location and positioning equipment, information communication technology, mobile telephony, IP or WIFI technology
• Experience of working in a technical environment
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to advise and influence to achieve objective
• Ability to work autonomously in a challenging environment and make decisions balancing operational considerations against risk
• Excellent problem solving skills with ability to develop technical and practical solutions
• Ability to deal with multiple demands under considerable time pressures
• Detailed knowledge or computer systems used with specialist technical equipment and competent in the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
• Awareness of workplace health & safety issues, specifically related to Health and Safety Regulation
• Demonstrate understanding of relevant legislation in connection with technical surveillance techniques (RIPA, Police Act, APP, ACPO Surveillance Manual of Standards and ECHR Act)
• Full driving licence or be able to travel around the region by other means

Recruitment and Selection

• Recruitment webinar: Monday 5th January 2026, 2pm
  Hosted by the capability lead or a member of their team, this is an opportunity to find out more about the role, the team you would be part of, and ask any questions.
  Please contact [e-mail], whereby invites will be sent accordingly. Please note that webinars will not be recorded
  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - we would like to make you aware that this webinar will be a group video call which may show your personal details, such as your name and email address, to other attendees on the call. Attendees also need to be mindful of the misuse of personal data and information displayed in the webinar.
  
• The closing date for receipt of applications is: Monday 12th January 2026, 9am
• Shortlisting will take place week commencing: Monday 12th January 2026
• Assessments will be held week commencing: Monday 26th January 2026

There is an online assessment, practical assessment and interview stage to this process.