Radio Frequency Surveyor

The Radio Frequency Surveyor provides specialist evidence of Radio Frequency Propagation Surveying (RFPS) in support of operations and investigations using agreed survey strategies and specialist equipment, providing advice, guidance and supporting the strategy in relation to RFPS, to maximise investigative opportunities and to capture forensic network evidence.

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance to Senior Investigating Officers and investigating officers on RFPS opportunities, in proactive, reactive investigations and crime in action, to guide the investigation on the best course of action in the circumstances.
• Respond to both proactive and reactive investigations, making informed decisions in support of Force critical incidents.
• Build strong working relationships across teams to agree strategies to achieve the successful investigation of crime.
• Use specialist equipment to attend locations to retrieve, preserve, examine and analyse from forensic sources, communications network and wireless data/evidence in support of operational policing and investigation.
• Present technical information and advice to the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), the prosecuting authority and court, acting as specialist witness to ensure that RFPS techniques and findings are fully understood and that the prosecuting authority is furnished with the most appropriate communications data possible.
• Evaluate final surveys against core data and investigation needs, using RFPS methods to ultimately provide statement of fact around the location of a cellular network device, and wireless data, by way of an evidential report.
• Provide contemporaneous notes detailing records of all decisions and meetings for scrutiny at court to ensure the highest level of integrity and accountability.
• Carry out reviews of RFPS reports to enable specialist advice to be fed into the investigation process, and to support continuous improvement in the team.
• Develop and maintain detailed, clear Operating Procedures and development of processes in support of the RFPS function, to ensure that the RFPS function meets the requirements of the Force and Prosecuting authority.

Prior education and experience:

• Detailed technical knowledge and strong investigative understanding of communications data and other data sources.
• Knowledge of mapping software, awareness of emerging technologies
• Practical experience on a broad range of investigations.
• Have attended and passed the RFPS practitioners course and maintain CPD records.

Skills:

• Good communication skills with the ability to present information effectively and the ability to listen effectively to others.
• Skilled in the use of standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.
• Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
• Able to analyse a problem, break it down into component parts, interpret large quantities of numerical data and determine appropriate action.
• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.

• Stay up-to-date with the changing landscape of RFPS.
• Keep up-to-date with changing legislation and current national policing priorities.
• Keep up to date with new approaches to evidence based policing.
• Be aware of any changes to legislation that may affect work.
• Develop a working knowledge of emerging technologies and stay apprised of any updates from service providers.
• Research new methodologies of gaining data within the parameters of the law.
• Maintain and update survey equipment to practitioner level.
• Develop an understanding of Wi-Fi and cellular network architecture and cell selection parameters.

Not applicable.

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