Investigations Officer
Location: Home-based, with extensive national travel
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Salary: Starting at £31,000 rising with experience and successful completion of probationary period
About Animal Welfare Investigations Project
Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) conducts criminal investigations into serious, organised and complex animal cruelty.
We gather intelligence and evidence whilst working alongside law enforcement agencies, local authorities, prosecutors and specialist partners to identify offenders, disrupt criminal activity and support enforcement action and criminal prosecutions.
About the Role
As an Investigations Officer, you will be involved in every stage of criminal investigations, from the initial assessment and development of intelligence through to the preparation of prosecution files and attendance at court.
Your work will include gathering and analysing evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, drafting witness statements, conducting surveillance, preparing evidential schedules and producing detailed reports for law enforcement agencies and AWIP’s private prosecutors.
You will join a small, dynamic and highly motivated team working on challenging cases involving serious animal cruelty, organised criminality and complex evidential issues.
This is not an entry-level position. Applicants must have previous professional experience conducting criminal investigations. Applicants without relevant prior experience should not apply.
This is an operational role requiring considerable flexibility. The role holder must be prepared to travel throughout the United Kingdom at short notice, attend court proceedings across the UK and stay away from home when operationally necessary. There may also be opportunities or requirements to travel internationally.
Key Responsibilities
Investigations and intelligence
- Receive, assess and develop intelligence relating to serious, organised and complex animal cruelty.
- Analyse intelligence, evidence, information, incidents and suspected crimes using structured investigative reasoning.
- Plan and conduct proportionate, intelligence-led investigations in accordance with AWIP’s strategy, policies and operational priorities.
- Gather, secure, assess and present evidence in a manner capable of supporting enforcement action and criminal proceedings.
- Identify investigative opportunities, evidential gaps, operational risks and appropriate lines of enquiry.
- Gather, develop and use intelligence and crime data effectively to support AWIP’s objectives.
- Maintain accurate, secure and contemporaneous investigation records.
- Conduct directed surveillance operations where lawful, necessary and appropriate, both nationally and internationally.
- Assist with operational planning, risk assessments and the delivery of investigative activity.
- Participate in searches, seizures, rescues and other operational activity alongside law enforcement or partner agencies where appropriate.
Interviews and evidence gathering
- Interview witnesses, complainants, persons of interest and suspects where appropriate.
- Conduct or support interviews under caution in accordance with applicable legislation, codes of practice and organisational procedures.
- Draft clear, accurate and evidentially robust witness statements.
- Obtain, review and evaluate documentary, digital, photographic, video, veterinary and other forms of evidence.
- Identify and pursue reasonable lines of enquiry, including those that may support or undermine an allegation.
- Preserve evidential continuity and ensure exhibits are handled, recorded and stored appropriately.
Case preparation and court attendance
- Prepare high-quality case files, investigation reports, exhibits, disclosure material and schedules of evidence.
- Produce files suitable for submission to police forces, local authorities, regulators, solicitors, barristers and AWIP’s private prosecutors.
- Ensure case files are accurate, properly organised and capable of withstanding legal and evidential scrutiny.
- Work closely with legal representatives and prosecution teams throughout the criminal justice process.
- Prepare written reports and evidential summaries for enforcement and prosecution decisions.
- Attend court proceedings across the United Kingdom as required.
- Provide written and oral evidence in court and respond professionally to cross-examination.
- Assist prosecutors, witnesses and partner agencies before and during hearings and trials.
Partnership and enforcement work
- Build, maintain, utilise and expand a substantial national and international network of professional contacts.
- Develop and participate in effective, high-level partnerships with police forces, local authorities, government agencies, veterinary professionals, animal welfare organisations and other relevant bodies.
- Promote AWIP and ensure that police forces and local authorities throughout England and Wales understand how to access the organisation’s services.
- Support police forces and other law enforcement agencies during investigations and operational activity where appropriate.
- Participate in joint operations, intelligence sharing initiatives and multi-agency meetings nationally and internationally.
- Represent AWIP professionally when dealing with enforcement bodies, partner organisations, witnesses, suspects and members of the public.
Organisational responsibilities
- Work in accordance with AWIP’s policies, procedures, values and strategic objectives.
- Maintain the confidentiality and security of sensitive intelligence, personal information and evidential material.
- Manage competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent operational requirements.
- Contribute to the development of investigative procedures, operational guidance and organisational learning.
- Maintain professional competence and participate in relevant training and continuing professional development.
- Support colleagues and contribute positively to a collaborative, professional and accountable team culture.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and seniority of the role.
Person Specification
Essential experience
Applicants must have:
- Previous professional experience conducting criminal investigations.
- Practical experience gathering, assessing, recording and presenting evidence.
- Experience pursuing investigative lines of enquiry and making evidence-led decisions.
- Experience drafting professional investigation reports, witness statements, evidential summaries or prosecution documentation.
- Experience handling sensitive, confidential or restricted information.
- Experience working with law enforcement agencies, local authorities, regulators, prosecutors or comparable professional bodies.
- An understanding of evidence handling, continuity, disclosure and criminal case preparation.
- An understanding of the criminal justice process and the standards required for evidence used in legal proceedings.
Applicants who do not have relevant prior investigative experience should not apply.
Highly desirable experience
Experience in one or more of the following roles or areas is highly desirable:
- Police Wildlife Crime Officer.
- RSPCA Inspector.
- Police detective or investigator.
- Local authority enforcement officer.
- Trading standards, regulatory or compliance investigator.
- Military police or other law enforcement investigator.
- Intelligence officer or analyst supporting criminal investigations.
It is also desirable for applicants to have:
- Experience investigating animal cruelty, wildlife crime or organised criminal activity.
- Experience interviewing suspects under caution.
- Experience conducting surveillance or intelligence-led operations.
- Experience preparing complete files for criminal prosecution.
- Experience giving evidence in court.
- Knowledge of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and other legislation relevant to animal welfare, wildlife crime, fraud, evidence gathering and criminal procedure.
- Knowledge of disclosure obligations and criminal case file standards.
- Experience working with veterinary, digital, financial or communications evidence.
- A recognised investigative qualification, accreditation or relevant professional training.
Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate will be able to:
- Analyse complex intelligence and evidence using structured investigative reasoning.
- Identify inconsistencies, evidential gaps, risks and investigative opportunities.
- Produce clear, concise and legally robust written work.
- Communicate professionally with witnesses, suspects, police officers, prosecutors, legal professionals and partner agencies.
- Manage multiple investigations and competing operational deadlines.
- Work independently, exercise sound judgement and remain accountable for investigative decisions.
- Work effectively as part of a small, operationally focused team.
- Remain calm and professional in challenging, unpredictable or potentially confrontational situations.
- Adapt quickly to changing operational priorities.
- Maintain objectivity and follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- Highly motivated by AWIP’s mission.
- Ethical, impartial and evidence-led.
- Resilient and able to work with distressing material involving serious animal cruelty.
- Discreet, dependable and trustworthy.
- Calm and decisive under pressure.
- Thorough and attentive to detail.
- Resourceful and capable of working with limited supervision.
- Willing to challenge assumptions and test the reliability of information.
- Flexible regarding working hours, travel and operational deployments.
Travel and Operational Requirements
The role holder must:
- Hold a current, full UK driving licence.
- Have access to suitable transportation when required for operational duties.
- Hold a valid passport permitting travel outside the United Kingdom.
- Be able and willing to travel nationally, sometimes at short notice.
- Be able and willing to attend court proceedings at locations across the United Kingdom.
- Be prepared to visit operational sites and other locations throughout the UK.
- Be willing to travel internationally where an operational requirement or appropriate opportunity arises.
- Be willing to stay away from home when required. Appropriate expenses and allowances will be paid in accordance with AWIP’s policies.
- Be willing to work outside normal office hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, where operationally necessary.
- Be physically and practically capable of participating in operational deployments.
- Successfully complete a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check.
- Have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
Applicants should carefully consider the travel, court attendance, flexibility and operational requirements of the position before applying.
Pay: From £31,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Flexitime
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Private medical insurance
- Work from home
Work Location: Remote
