Undercover Online Operative (UCOL)

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Undercover online operatives are selected, vetted, trained and accredited to gather intelligence and evidence.

UCOLs are deployed online in an authorised investigation or operation as a relevant source, which is defined as somebody who establishes and maintains a personal or other relationship with a person in order to obtain or provide access to information to another person, or to covertly disclose information obtained by the use of or as a consequence of the existence of such a relationship.

UCOLs are deployed to establish and maintain relationships with an individual, network or organisation through the use of the internet with the covert purpose of obtaining intelligence, information or evidence as part of an authorised operation.

The role, responsibility and conduct of individual UCOLs should be commensurate with their skills, knowledge, ability, training and experience.

• Provide advice on required technical equipment and infrastructure for operational use, on the security of online operations and the appropriate backstopping in place for conducting online operations to ensure the effectiveness and safety of covert activities.

• Attend operational briefings, identifying, receiving and agreeing operational objectives, risk assessments and authorities for the deployment and prepare and check relevant technical equipment and/or applications needed for the operation to meet the expectations and requirements of the Operational Lead.

• Deploy online, communicating and forming relationships with subjects and communities, where appropriate using a number of different legends and platforms to meet operational requirements.

• Record evidence and intelligence accurately using required technical processes, managing and developing the integrity of evidential material in line with legislation and policy to identify subjects and individuals involved in criminal or terrorism activity.

• Follow operational instructions in line with legal and procedural knowledge ensuring geographical parameters and boundaries of the authorisation are adhered to.

• Conduct dynamic risk assessments, frequently liaising with the Cover Officer, and working effectively with other undercover operatives and support teams to ensure safe exit from the deployment and to maintain safety at all times.

• Maintain cover, credibility and operational security, forming appropriate relationships with subjects and individuals involved in criminal and terrorism activity, in order to meet deployment priorities and objectives.

• Gather, corroborate, handle and preserve intelligence and evidence with transparency and integrity to support potential legal proceedings.

• Follow the National Code of Conduct for Undercover Operatives, maintaining up to date awareness and psychological assessments to ensure operational readiness.

Prior Education and Experience:

• Must have successfully completed the Undercover Foundation or Undercover Advanced training course.

• Must pass national selection process and subsequent UCOL training course.

Skills:

• Able to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of a local community including society composition, the needs of the vulnerable and local safety issues.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to set out logical arguments clearly and adapt language, form and message to meet the needs of different people/ audiences.

• Good team working skills demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.

• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders, understanding their needs and concerns.

• Able to identify the drivers of behaviour, acting with discretion and emotional intelligence to manage conflict and defuse difficult situations.

• Problem solving skills with the ability to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes as well as manage impacts.

• Able to interpret and apply guidance to a specific activity.

• Able to critically question and identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.

• Able to identify, analyse and manage risk to inform balanced, proportionate, evidence based decisions.

• Able to review and reflect on own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.

• Good time management skills with the able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.

• Skilled in the use of standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.

• Skilled in applying personal safety tactics, including the use of equipment and restraints.

• Maintain UCA/UCF/UCOL accreditation through CPD.

• Maintain an up to date understanding of Police Regulations and College of Policing Guidance, best practice and any local policy applicable to the operational police context.

• Maintain and update key knowledge, understanding and skills relating to criminology, legislation, policy and practice across all functional policing areas of operational policing.

• Maintain knowledge and understanding of new approaches identified by evidence based policing research and problem solving, test and synthesise these into working practice, championing innovation and changes to practice.

• Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of new and evolving crime threats and priorities and current best practice to tackle these in order to enable a pro-active and preventative approach.

• Complete all annual and mandatory training.

Not applicable.

• Undercover Online Only Operative
• Undercover Foundation Officer
• Undercover Advanced Operative