Digital forensics support officer

Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, while remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions. Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions. Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

• Division / Department: Specialist Crime
• Grade: Surrey Police Grade D / Sussex Police Grade 7
• Status: Full Time
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Salary Grade Range: Surrey Police £26,875 - £29,670 / Sussex Police £26,703 - £28,914
• Working Hours: 37.0 Hours per Week
• Shift Allowance: No
• Politically Restricted: No
• Location: Haywards Heath

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro‑rated if the working hours are less than full time.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.

The Sussex Police Digital Forensics Team is seeking to recruit a Digital Forensics Support Officer into our fast‑paced team based at Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

Hours of work will consist of 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• You will undertake efficient handling and storage of all exhibits requiring Digital Forensics Examination.
• You will need to comply with ISO 17025 quality standards and Forensic Science Regulator's Code of Practice.
• You will be required to work to standard operating procedures in line with ISO 17025 standards of accreditation.
• You will be required to maintain continuity of movements of all exhibits and DFT records, including spreadsheets.
• You will have responsibility to carry out exhibit audits, deal with internal and external calls and assist with daily email enquiries.

Skills & Experience

• Good standard of secondary education (GCSE's A-C grade or equivalent), including Maths and English, or equivalent by recent, relevant experience.
• Proven IT skills with experience.
• Self‑motivated and proven experience of working to deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage high workloads and adapt to changing demands and competing priorities.
• Good interpersonal skills with a proven ability to communicate effectively with customers, challenging appropriately where required.
• Strong attention to detail. Proven problem‑solving skills including analysis and interpretation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including report writing.
• Awareness of exhibit handling and procedures including continuity and integrity.

Benefits

• Career progression
• Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Discounts for everyday spend
• On‑site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• Generous and supportive parental leave
• Financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• Discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Further Information

• Undergo security vetting to the appropriate level.
• Successfully complete all relevant/mandatory training courses and abide by any relevant learning and development agreements specific to relevant courses.

For further information regarding the role please contact Digital Forensics Team Leaders Ellie French or Iona Chandler‑Smith at Ellie.French@sussex.police.uk or Iona.Chandlersmith@sussex.police.uk.

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It is important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that, as an organisation, we will grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all. We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We are committed to being an anti‑racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and uphold anti‑racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti‑racism statement here .

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Contact

For recruitment queries, please email: Ellie.French@sussex.police.uk or Iona.Chandlersmith@sussex.police.uk.