Regional Senior Technical Surveillance Officer *Regional +Forces

Job Advert

THIS POST IS ADVERTISED REGIONALLY TO ALL 7 FORCES

West Yorkshire Police are looking to recruit a Senior Technical Surveillance Officer within the Regional Technical Surveillance Unit to service both West Yorkshire and its constituent forces with technical support within the Yorkshire area. The YHROCU Technical Surveillance Unit supports and assists in the gathering of Intelligence and Evidence on behalf of investigations into all levels of criminality with the priority being in support of Serious and Organised Crime, Major Crime investigations and Anti‑Corruption.

The Senior Technical Surveillance Officer role is critical to ensuring the department successfully obtains and delivers this intelligence and evidence to its customers.

• Supervisory responsibility and daily line management of up to 8 staff
• Proactively managing the performance, attendance and wellbeing of police officers and police staff against the required standards
• Provide advice and expertise to support, mentor and manage the Technical Surveillance Officer to ensure staff are performing to the best of their abilities, in accordance with the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Regional and National Standard Operating Procedures and guidance, RIPA and IPA Legislation and CAA regulations.
• Attend local and regional covert strategy meetings (CSM) as the department’s representative and offer guidance, support, advice and supporting documentation to all ranks of Police Officers on the department’s capabilities and capacity in support of a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) operational objectives and strategies.
• Manage, develop and deliver lectures, training, demonstrations and presentations to Police, Police Staff and other agencies on Technical Surveillance related matters
• Oversee and manage both own and team’s workload to ensure work is evenly distributed across the team and is completed in a timely manner; ensure all relevant administrative work is completed in support of any technical deployment to a high standard to ensure IPCO compliance.
• Provide specialist support and technical assistance with covert and overt surveillance operations to assist in the detection and prevention of serious crime across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
• Participate in a 24/7 stand‑by rota to meet short‑notice operational requirements; also participate in the manager’s call‑out rota, gathering and disseminating information to support the technicians called.

• Relevant degree level qualification or significant equivalent accredited professional experience within a relevant technical discipline.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferably within a technical environment; training will be provided in College of Policing and local level 1 management courses.
• Knowledge of electrical and electronic principles and competence in the use of computerised systems.
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative, under pressure in stressful and potentially dangerous circumstances.
• Full current UK/European driving licence with the ability to travel nationally.
• Capability to work unsociable hours, often on short notice, and to carry heavy equipment over considerable distances.
• Availability to undertake covert urban and rural deployment of equipment.
• Willful acceptance of enhanced personal and financial vetting checks prior to appointment.

As a member of West Yorkshire Police, you will have access to discounted goods and services through the Blue Light Card scheme, yearly cycle to work schemes and other financial savings and investment opportunities.

The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to build a service that reflects a wide variety of skills, knowledge, perspectives and backgrounds, and we particularly encourage applicants from under‑represented groups.

The 2024 version of the Competency Values Framework applies to this process. Please disregard the old link to the 2016 version which is contained in the role profile.

This post will close on 31st January 2026 at 23:55 hours.

The post is suitable for job share.

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last five years. Therefore, where this applies, applicants may be refused because it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.