Force
Bedfordshire Police
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HIDDEN - Role Type
Police Staff
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Contract Duration
Permanent
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Contract Type
Full Time
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Department
Crime
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Location
Headquarters, Kempston, Beds
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Grade
SO1/2
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Salary
SO1/2 scale.
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Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.
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Hours / Week
37
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Closing Date
19/07/2026, 23:55
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Job Description
Investigation Officer – Op Maze
Bedfordshire Police is seeking a committed, professional and victim-focused individual to join us an Investigation Officer.
This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for those who are motivated by public service, serious and complex investigations, and making a meaningful difference for victims, witnesses and communities across Bedfordshire.
The Opportunity
As an Investigation Officer, you will investigate serious and complex crime, mainly residential burglary. You will obtain and assess information, support case progression, and work with colleagues and partners to deliver effective outcomes. You will put victims and the public at the heart of your work, applying a firm, fair and friendly approach while ensuring investigations are progressed professionally, lawfully and with care.
What You Will Be Doing
Conducting effective and timely investigations into serious and complex crime.
Safeguarding victims, witnesses and vulnerable people, and signposting to appropriate support where required.
Interviewing detained persons and maintaining continuity of evidence, exhibits and intelligence.
Preparing high-quality prosecution files and ensuring compliance with relevant policy, procedure and legislation.
Working with communities, partners and stakeholders to reduce crime, build confidence and support safer communities.
Attending court as Officer in Case once PIP2 qualified, supporting victims and liaising with CPS and criminal justice partners.
About You
We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate excellent communication, sound judgement, professionalism and empathy. You will be confident working independently and as part of a team, able to manage competing priorities, and committed to delivering thorough, ethical and victim-centred investigations.
Key Requirements
PIP Level One accreditation and the ability to achieve PIP Level Two accreditation.
National Investigators Exam qualification, where required for the SO1 pathway.
Strong investigative capability, including experience of serious and complex crime.
Use of Athena and Athena file preparation.
First Aid, PNC training and police authorised driver status.
Ability to meet required fitness, officer safety training, medical and vetting standards.
Grade and Development
The post will commence at grade SO1, with progression to SO2 following successful achievement of PIP2. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the necessary training and coaching required for the role.
If you are driven by investigation, committed to supporting victims and passionate about helping to protect people and fight crime, we would welcome your application for this important role.
Contact and Process
For any further information please contact DCI Dale Mepstead or DI Ben SEARLE to discuss the role. Applications will be via Expressions of Interests highlighting how you meet the entry requirements of the post and any relevant experience and skills you have.
Please note that this role will be based at HQ and will be Monday to Friday office hours only and will therefore not attract any additional allowances.
Additional Advert Information
Internal Applicants
To apply for this role, internal applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period.
If you qualify as an internal candidate within the advertising force, you may upload either your CV or the internal role summary form attached to this advert.
Vetting Process
Please note that, as part of the vetting process, the BCH Vetting Unit may need to contact your current line manager for a Supervisor Appraisal. This requirement aligns with the 2025 National Guidelines for Vetting (APP 6.5.18).
Examples of when this may apply include:
Transferring to another force
Renewing vetting clearance
Moving into a role requiring MV clearance (even if you currently hold MV clearance)
Moving into or working in a role involving close contact with vulnerable individuals
If any of the above apply to you, please expect your line manager to be contacted when you submit your vetting application.
Redeployment and Redundancy
This vacancy is open to employees at risk of redundancy and will remain available to redeployees until a final offer has been agreed and accepted.
Redeployees at risk of redundancy will take priority over all other applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. If successful, redeployees will remain on their home force’s terms and conditions.
Role Profile
We recommend downloading and saving a copy of the role profile, as it will no longer be accessible once the advert closes.
Commitment to Inclusion
As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be themselves. We provide workplace adjustments wherever needed so that all colleagues can thrive.
If you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under the Offer an Interview Scheme.
Please note: This role has been identified as high-risk in relation to potential DNA contamination within forensic processes. As such, successful candidates will be required to provide a DNA mouth swab and Fingerprint elimination sample as part of their pre-employment checks.
The sample will be used to conduct a speculative search against our database and then solely for contamination elimination purposes and held on a secure elimination database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.
Provision of this sample is a condition of employment for roles identified as high-risk.
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For more information on the Competency Values Framework (CVF) please click HERE
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Help us deliver outstanding policing for everyone.
We believe that to serve our communities effectively, we need people from all backgrounds, bringing a wide range of life and professional experiences. This helps us reflect the communities we serve and ensures we deliver the best possible service.
Why Choose a Career in Policing?
Bedfordshire Police is recognised as a pioneering and forward-thinking service, responsible for policing a large, diverse, and multicultural population.
If you're looking for a meaningful and rewarding career—where you can make a real difference, take on new challenges, and gain a wide variety of experiences—then we want to hear from you.
What We Offer
We’re proud to support our people with a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Pension Schemes: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with employer contributions and death-in-service benefits.
Generous Annual Leave: 24 to 33 days (depending on rank and length of service).
Sick Pay: Up to six months full pay and six months half pay (depending on service).
Family Leave: Occupational maternity, adoption, and paternity pay (depending on service).
Carers and Discretionary Leave
Flexible Working: Including compressed hours, flexible shifts, job sharing, annualised hours, and agile working (role dependent).
Wellbeing Support: Local wellbeing teams, on-site gym facilities and exercise classes (location dependent).
Sports & Social Clubs: Enjoy discounts, trips, and events through our dedicated clubs.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Blue Light Card App: Option to sign up for discounts in-store and online for emergency service workers.
Financial Support: Access to Police Mutual for savings plans, insurance, loans, and independent financial advice.
Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential support for personal and professional wellbeing.
Staff Support Networks: Including groups for Black and Minority Ethnic colleagues, LGBTQ+ colleagues, disability awareness, menopause support, faith-based groups, and more.
Trade Union Membership: Access to UNISON.
Career Development: Opportunities for progression, promotion, and leadership training.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building a workforce that is inclusive and truly representative of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those currently under-represented in policing, including:
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
People of all ages and abilities
All faiths and religions
LGBTQ+ communities
Individuals from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds
All applications are assessed fairly and based on the evidence you provide and your suitability for the role.
Disability Confident Logo
Recruitment and Selection Policy
Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.
Police Barred and Advisory Lists
Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.
Vetting and Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.
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Document
Investigation Officer SO1 SO2 - Maze .docx – 131KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Investigation Officer SO1 SO2 - Maze .docx.pdf – 118KB Opens in a new window
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Staff Internal Role Summary.docx – 95KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Staff Internal Role Summary.docx.pdf – 71KB Opens in a new window
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Bedfordshire Police recognises the growing use of AI tools in preparing job applications. While these tools can support you in expressing your skills and experience more effectively, their use must align with the principles of honesty, integrity, originality, and personal accountability. We want to learn about you and your own personal experiences and how these make you suitable for the role, this will be assessed throughout the recruitment process including at interview, which AI cannot replace. Please click HERE to find out more about the acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in our recruitment process.
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