Communications Data Investigator Manager

The Communications Data Investigator Manager is the operational and tactical manager of a team of Communications Data Investigators (SPoC), and advises investigation and intelligence teams, analysts, and general applicants on policy, legislation and data recovery in order to meet operational strategies.

• Ensure effective day-to-day performance of the Unit, ensuring that the strategic direction set by the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) of the Unit is followed.
• Manage the performance and development of individual members of a team to develop an effective team who are able to deliver against communications data targets.
• Support and guide the team on the careful acquisition of communications data and processing of potentially sensitive applications, so that they are inspired and motivated to conduct their work within established procedures and legislation.
• Plan, budget and recruit the resourcing of a team to enable the appropriate level of capacity in the Unit to fulfil investigations
• Guide the team to organise and collate information required for any audits or inspections, and ensure that recommendations are addressed and implemented as appropriate.
• Report to senior management on operational performance and issues, via relevant chain of command, to update them on communications investigations, and to support strategic management and planning.
• Contribute to service improvement by reviewing how procedures can be developed, and providing feedback to managers on what works and what could be improved, to support the continued improvement of policing.
• Provide specialist knowledge in communications investigations across all levels of the organisation, to share expertise and best practice, and increase understanding of communications data investigations processes.
• Prepare and proactively circulate relevant advice to senior investigating officers and professional forensic experts in order to provide a professional service and maintain integrity when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Maintain and manage the force workflow system to ensure that it is up to date, follows best practice and is compliant with relevant legislation.

Prior education and experience:

• DMI SPoC accreditation.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Communications Data acquisition.
• Up-to-date legislation knowledge (including current guidance on disclosure) and current national policing priorities.
• Working knowledge of emerging technologies and relevant updates from service providers.
• Understanding of how to exploit new methodologies of gaining Communications Data within the parameters of the law.
• Understanding of IPA/RIPA Codes of Practice on Acquisition of Communications Data.

Skills:

• Able to engage a variety of audiences through a range of media to inform, advise and/or persuade.
• Able to allocate resources appropriately across the unit and utilise commercial acumen to make risk-based decisions that deliver effective outcomes within the available budget.
• Able to identify potential applications of new or improved technologies related to own area of work to improve working practices.
• Able to develop and motivate a team and create strong engagement of individuals with their personal and team objectives and with Force values, behaviours and strategic priorities.
• Skilled in setting team and individual performance objectives, monitoring performance, assessing progress, identifying emerging risks, issues and opportunities, and taking corrective steps as required to ensure that the right results are achieved.
• Able to plan to medium term cycles within strategic plans, to coordinate a range of activities appropriately within the unit, to match these to available resources, and to identify and mitigate known risks to delivery.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships to enable contributions and to ensure that stakeholders’ needs and concerns are fully understood and responded to in an appropriate way.

• Stay up-to-date with the changing landscape of communications data acquisition.
• Be aware of any changes to legislation that may affect communications data work.
• Keep up-to-date with changing legislation (including current guidance on disclosure) and current national policing priorities.
• Keep up-to-date with new approaches to evidence based policing and apply these to working practices.
• Develop a working knowledge of emerging technologies and stay apprised of any updates from service providers.
• Exploit new methodologies of gaining communications data within the parameters of the law.
• Take responsibility for sharing and cascading knowledge with colleagues, to upskill as appropriate.

Home Office and College of Policing Register for DMI SPoC Accreditation.

• Communications Data Investigator
• Digital Media Investigator
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