Vacancy Type
Police Staff
Area Command / Department
Forensic Services
Location
Newcastle
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Salary Range
£28,689 - £29,859
Closing Date
29/07/2026
Role:
Salary: Band 5 £28,689- £29,859 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)
Location: Byker, Newcastle
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
2 x vacancies
Working for #TeamNP
Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job – and that’s where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.
As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we’ll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.
As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.
Whether you’re a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.
Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters.
Learn about our full benefits package
The role
Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Forensics Department as a Digital Forensic Unit Technician.
Our Digital Forensic Unit is responsible for extracting and analysing data from more than 2,000 electronic devices each year, securing evidence for some of the North East’s most high-profile court cases. Not an easy feat, so we’re looking to grow our team to help us on our journey to become an Outstanding Police Force.
We’ve introduced an exciting new role to strengthen our team, so this could be the perfect time to join us as a Digital Forensic Technician. You’ll support investigations by preparing and extracting data from digital exhibits, maintaining digital forensic equipment, and ensuring as a force we comply with laboratory-based accreditation and Regulatory Code of Practice.
This is a role that is vital in assisting with the investigation of all types of crime, so if you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference – this is the opportunity!
What you’ll do
Use forensically safe techniques to secure and retrieve data from digital systems in accordance with national guidelines and forensic quality standards.
Process recovered digital data to enable evaluation and analysis.
Testing and maintenance of equipment to ensure effective operation and compliance.
and support quality controls to meet the Forensic Science Regulators statutory code of practice.
Provide specialist technical advice to support investigations.
Ensure compliance with the Digital Forensic Unit’s Quality Management System, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice and Conduct.
Participate in improvement projects and promoting quality standards.
Prepare statements and reports with the additional responsibility of court attendance.
Assist in the archiving and data retention process relating to data stored within the unit.
Sound interesting? For further information, and to support your application, please view the job description
What you’ll bring
Academic qualifications, working knowledge and/or experience in the forensic examination of digital devices.
Accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
The ability to plan and organise your time effectively.
Demonstrable experience in problem solving.
Strong team working skills.
The ability to communicate technical processes to non-technical stakeholders.
Please be aware that you will be exposed to police reports, intelligence, and photographic material of a disturbing nature as part of this role. You will need to have the physical and emotional resilience to deal with material of a distressing and upsetting nature.
We know it’s important for you to feel that you’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.
Interested to learn more? For further information about the role please contact Jonathan Smith, Senior Digital Forensic Unit Investigator by email at
[email protected]
What we offer
26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
Flexi time – allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
Fantastic market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
Access to gyms in some stations
Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
Cycle to work scheme
Opportunity to volunteer in local community
Just so you know
Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Digital Forensic Unit Technician with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re ing for and the values and behaviours that contribute.
The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face to face interview. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.
We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, ing the same fair approach for all candidates.
If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via
[email protected] for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.
Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.
If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV) form and Biometric Testing, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, Biometrics and references.
Terms of appointment
This is a permanent role subject to a six-month probationary period.
If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to for any other post advertised internally or externally.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
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