Data Forensic Investigator

We are welcoming applications for the role of Data Forensic Investigator with Devon & Cornwall Police based at the following location(s): Police Headquarters, Exeter 

Salary: Grade 7 - Starts at £38,169 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £42,612 per annum 
Please note that the above salary is based on working 37 hours per week. If this role is part-time or you are appointed on a part-time basis your salary will be prorated to reflect this. Exceptions to starting salary may apply if you are an existing Devon and Cornwall or Dorset Police Staff employee substantively posted to a role at the same grade.

Type of employment: Permanent 

Type of working arrangement: Static-Worker - A Static-Worker has little or no opportunity to work remotely as they need to carry out their work at a specific force premises, this could be for a number of reasons including the location of equipment. 
Hours per week: this role is 37 hours per week. However we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.
Allowances: This role attracts no allowances.

We’re looking for a Data Forensic Investigator to join our team and help support South West Regional Forces with vital digital and data investigations. This is a varied and meaningful role where your technical skills, curiosity, and attention to detail will directly contribute to keeping communities safe.

Please do not be put off if you do not meet all the requirements of the role, we are open to all applicants to show their unique skill sets. Please try your best to answer the questions with the experience you do have and Devon & Cornwall Police Data Forensic Unit are happy to provide support to the areas that do not fully match the requirements.

The principal responsibility of the Regional Forensics Data Investigator is to provide South West Regional Forces with an evidential Data Investigation capability. The post holder will take responsibility for the management of the technical investigation including securing and retrieving data from seized computer systems and mobile devices, including configuration of operating systems and applications, attending searches where necessary, producing technical documentation in relation to data retrieved from computers and media.

In particular to:

Presenting evidence in court as required and providing advice to police officers on forensic computer analysis, in order to assist in the investigation of Data Forensics crime in its entirety and gathering of evidence to support a criminal prosecution. 

The majority of the examinations will be undertaken at the request of the Investigating Officer to provide intelligence and evidence to identify and prosecute offenders and identify witness/victims.  A vital part of the role is the integrity and continuity of evidence with subsequent presentation at judicial proceedings.

This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with/or lower than the grade of the post.  In some posts this might include the ad-hoc provision of guidance and informal training of new colleagues.

The post is a ‘designated role’ under the Police Reform Act 2002 and the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and as such, the post holder will have certain designated powers as awarded by the Chief Constable.

Designated Powers in relation to seizure, handling and creation of exhibits.

Want to know more about this role?

Further detail regarding this role and the essential requirements can be found within the role profile attached below.

If you think this may be the role for you and would like further information, please contact: 

Hiring Line Manager: Reece Harris  - Data Forensic Manager 

Email Address: Reece.HARRIS@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk 

Telephone Number: N/A 

What you get if you join us:

If you work for us, you will get access to:

  • A competitive salary with yearly increments.
  • 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time workers).
  • Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
  • Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment of £5)
  • Company sick pay.
  • Competitive local government pension scheme.
  • Job related equipment, as required.
  • Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
  • Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
  • Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
  • Development and training opportunities.
  • Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need
  • Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need
Competency and Values Framework (CVF)
Level 2: click this link for details of the CVF level for this specific role.

Recruitment process

Additional Information

Dual working: This role will require the post holder to travel to alternative locations on an ad hoc basis to undertake the role, travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with force policy.
Political Restrictions: None apply to this role.

Application Stage:

To apply for this role, click the 'apply' button below, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application.

Already have an account? If you have previously created an account, please click 'login' at the bottom of the page next to the 'submit registration' button. Once logged in, you will be taken to the application.

Once registered, you will have to complete an eligibility form to apply. If eligible you will move to the application form stage where you will evidence your suitability for this post. The closing date for applications is 30/01/2026, 12:00.

Selection Stage:

The selection for this role will consist of Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment .

Applications will be anonymised and then shortlisted by the shortlisting panel. Following the shortlisting you will be notified of the recruitment decision via email along with feedback on your application.

If successful, you will then be invited to an interview. This will be based on the Competency Values Framework at Level 1, 2 or 3 as detailed in the role profile/job description and additional CVF document.

The interview process is due to take place week commencing 23 February 2026.

Some roles may also require an assessment. Further information on this will be provided following the shortlisting process. The assessment date will be on   if applicable.

Pre-requisites:

If you are successful through the selection stage of the recruitment process, we will make a conditional offer of appointment and commence pre-requisite checks. These checks can include:

  • Vetting checks,
  • Reference checks,
  • Medical assessment,
  • Qualification review,
  • Right to Work checks.

A formal offer of appointment and start date will not be agreed until all checks are satisfactorily completed. If you are successful at the selection stage your conditional offer will outline which of these checks are applicable to you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.

Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.  

If the role has evidence questions you are required to complete in the application form, you may wish to complete these remotely and then paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission. Please note, each evidence criterion is set to a maximum of 2000 characters.

We welcome the use of AI responsibly and ethically to demonstrate your skills in your application, but please don’t allow it to overshadow your own unique voice. While we appreciate innovative approaches, we also value authenticity. Our assessment considers the content of the application and the skills you demonstrate, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all applicants. At the end of the day – we want YOU to work for us!