Dedicated Football Officer
Role Purpose
Provide a focal point for all information and intelligence relating to an assigned football club, with an aim to minimising the impact of anti-social behaviour, violence and criminality at football events both within the police area they work and also the police areas that are responsible for ‘away’ fixtures.
Key Accountabilities
Prepare accurate and timely intelligence and information products for all fixtures (home and away) involving an assigned football club in order to minimise football-related crime and disorder and to help determine the strategy, tactics, resource levels and support services required for the policing of a football event.
Provide a key link between the police, club, supporters and other stakeholders, utilising all ‘media sources’ to good effect in line with force policy for information, intelligence and investigation, in order to enhance spectator safety during football policing operations.
Coordinate and manage football spotters (home and away) as intelligence gathering teams, including conducting intelligence-specific briefings and debriefings, to enhance the effectiveness of football policing operations.
Contribute to the development of an appropriate strategy and tactical plan by attending planning meetings, using knowledge of the football event and the club’s supporters to ensure that appropriate logistical arrangements are provided for the football policing operation.
Provide a source of specialist advice on the policing of the club for the Public Order Public Safety (POPS) command team.
Monitor and observe the safety measures provided by the club, maintaining a detailed knowledge of the clubs operations manual, contingency and emergency plans.
Communicate to the police lead any issues relating to changes to the infrastructure or operational systems within the stadium that are likely to have an impact on policing responsibilities.
Collate all evidence, information and intelligence in support of Football Banning Orders on conviction or on complaint.
Complete and submit relevant graded intelligence reports, match summary reports and items for inclusion in the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) national incident assessment.
Behaviours
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
It is suggested that this role should be operating or working towards the following levels of the CVF:
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Prior education and experience:
Experience of policing football operations.
Must have passed the accredited football officers training course delivered by United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU)
Skills:
Sound understanding of the principles and methods associated with intelligence management and covert policing.
Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others.
Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
Able to use resources efficiently in own role and to comply with financial rules and procedures.
Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine appropriate action.
Able to interpret and apply guidance to a specific activity.
Able to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.
Able to review own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.
Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Keep up to date with changing legislation and current national priorities relating to all key areas within policing and how this may affect you in your role.
Ensure all decision making is in line with the National Decision Model.
Ensure that Case File Management follows current best practice.
Keep up to date with guidance and best practice on vulnerability.
Keep up to date with new approaches to evidence based policing.
Maintain a working knowledge of how technological advances might facilitate offenders in committing crimes and keep up to date with advances in policy, processes and practices used to investigate cybercrime.
Complete all annual and mandatory training including fitness tests, personal safety training and first aid.
Keep up to date with Authorised Professional Practice relevant to your core duties.
Professional Registration/Licenses
Must obtain annual reaccreditation by providing portfolio evidence of: operational competence in carrying out the role of a Football Spotter; attendance at a minimum of two home and two away football matches for the club the individual has responsibility for in the capacity of a football spotter; demonstration of appropriate attitudes and behaviour via the force appraisal process.
Must attend regional and/or national intelligence workshops and conferences hosted by the UKFPU.
Links to other Profiles
NPoCC Mercury Profile – Dedicated Football Officer (DFO) 341 v2