We are seeking motivated and highly professional individuals to join our South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) Surveillance Team as Surveillance Operatives (Q1). This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role within a respected and high-performing unit at the forefront of tackling serious and organised crime.

About the Role

As a Surveillance Operative, you will be at the heart of operational policing, undertaking a range of covert, mobile, technical and foot surveillance activities. Your work will directly contribute to gathering intelligence and securing evidence that supports high-profile investigations and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct covert surveillance operations in accordance with authorisations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and relevant Human Rights legislation.
• Accurately record and debrief surveillance activity, ensuring evidential logs are comprehensive, detailed and of the highest standard.
• Actively contribute to team development by reviewing operational effectiveness, sharing learning, and identifying both strengths and areas for improvement.
• Maintain strict compliance with all relevant legislation and national guidance, including the RIPA 2000, ACPO Surveillance Manual, and Human Rights Act

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for individuals who:

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both peers and senior leaders
• Have a working knowledge of relevant guidance, including the ACPO Surveillance Manual, RIPA, and associated authorities
• Provide evidence of completing surveillance logs to a national standard, alongside a sound understanding of disclosure requirements
• Are highly observant, resilient and able to perform under pressure
• Operate with integrity and a strong commitment to confidentiality
• Thrive in a team environment and take a proactive approach to continuous improvement

Essential role based training:

• Maintain Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST).
• Advanced First Aid.
• Advanced Driver. Essential Criteria: Q1 Surveillance trained operative with evidence of conducting both mobile and foot surveillance.

Please note that this role is part of a national, regional and local network and as a result you may be required to travel for business purposes mainly across the South East region and occasionally throughout the UK. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.

You will be also required to perform on-call arrangements for immediate response as required across the South East region.

Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary for the successful candidate to obtain and maintain vetting level SC/MV together with a number of enhanced security checks.

You can find more information about security vetting here.

Please note that this is a PC-designated position. If you are currently employed as a DC and choose to apply, any additional payments associated with your DC role will be discontinued upon appointment

How to Apply

To apply, click on the “Apply” button below and submit your application before the closing date of Sunday 14 June 2026 at 23:55hrs. 

The leadership within CTPSE and SEROCU are actively committed to embedding and sustaining an inclusive culture that recognises and champions the diversity of our people, and promotes equity and equality so that everyone can succeed at work. The region is delivering this commitment through a long term strategy that takes a holistic and intersectional approach to wellbeing & inclusion. Our strategy is underpinned by the five strategic objectives;

Inclusive Culture – We will create, embed, and continually develop an inclusive culture for our people.

Engaged & Involved – We will ensure our people are engaged, involved, and listened to.

Wellbeing – We will prioritise the wellbeing of our people.

Representation – We will attract, recruit, retain and develop a diverse workforce.

Inclusive by Design – We will ensure that inclusion is a core principle of our policies, products, and decisions.

We welcome applications from those interested in part time and flexible working, and encourage applications from our under represented communities.

Our people say that benefits include a good work/life balance, a supportive and welcoming place to work and great opportunities to further develop your own capabilities.

If you wish to apply you need to have support from your Head of Command / Department.

• Hampshire officers need to complete an AD277b alongside their application. This form is not available on the force’s standard forms library. It can be found on the HR Portal. Please contact WFPlanning@hampshire.police.uk if you have any queries relating to this.
• Kent Officers will need to inform Kent HR Resource Planning at the earliest opportunity of intention to apply.   Every Officer application form must be signed by the Chief Supt or police staff equivalent and sent to Kent HR Resource Planning no later than 5 working days prior to closing date unless exceptional circumstances apply. This is required so that Chief Officer approval can be obtained for the application to progress, which will be managed by Kent HR Resource Planning.  These steps must be completed prior to submission application.  If your application for an opportunity is not approved prior to submission to the recruiting organisation you may not be supported for release to the role, should you be successful.
• Officers from other forces are welcome to apply. You may wish to consult with your HR team regarding completion of additional forms.

Please upload your latest PDR (or if no PDR, a recent copy of your CPD record/Focus Feedback meeting) and a copy of your Training Record. Please  also upload the Recommendation for Appointment Form (enclosed with the Job Advert) in the ‘Line Managers Approval Form’.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the Job Reference number TBC. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if we receive a high volume of applications. Should you wish to apply for this post, we advise you to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.

Please use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when completing your application, wherever possible, as this will enhance performance.