Investigation Officer (Criminal Investigations)

Investigation Officer (Criminal Investigations)

Fixed Term until October 2026

Full time / Part time

Salary: 34604- 39200 with potential for further progression to 44137with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Wilmslow office however we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note from Autumn 2026 our head office willrelocatefrom Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

Why work for the ICO

• Pay progression scheme.

• Hybrid and flexible working options.

• 25 days paid holiday per year plus privilege and public holidays.

• Flexi leave (up to 26additionaldays leave per year).

• Pension

• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets retailers gyms restaurants insuranceprovidersand many more.

• Health Cash Plan.

• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section ofourwebsite.

Job summary

The Investigations departmentis responsible forall casesforwardedfor criminal investigation under the legislation the ICO regulates and all casesforwardedfor consideration of enforcement actionunder the provisions ofthat legislation.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information a data-driven world we provide advice guidance and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people and we empower you to be curious impactfulcollaborativeand respectful.

Job description

The responsibility of the Criminal Investigation Officer is to investigate casesforwardedto Investigations for criminal investigation under the Data Protection Act (DPA) Freedom of Information Act (FOI)and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR). The investigation of breaches of information and enforcement notices and toprovide assistancewith the investigation of casesforwardedfor consideration of enforcement actionunder the provisions ofthe legislation.

Key responsibilities:

• To act as primary or supporting investigating officer under the direction of the Criminal Investigations Manager by managing a caseload of investigations.

• Responsible for making decisions aboutday to daypriorities obtaining all necessary evidence to ensure each of your investigations is of sufficient depth.

• Ensure that the weightvalueand relevance of evidence available are considered at the start and throughout an investigation involving the legal team whereappropriate atan early stage in investigations.

• Ensure that criminal investigations are completed ina timelyand effective manner andin accordance withcriminal law and procedures (egPACE CPIA RIPA & HRA).

• Submit telecommunications and directed surveillance applications where applicable for the attention of the Telecommunications Single Point of

• Contact (SPoC)in accordance withICO policyprocedureand the law. Submit directed surveillance applications where applicable for the attention of the Head of Investigations.

• Make applications for search warrants to the court under the direction of the Criminal Investigations Manager and ensure that searches of premises are conducted thoroughly and safely.

• Attend Court and Tribunals and give evidence on behalf of the Commissioner.

• Give support and advice to other departments within the ICO on investigations including liaising closely with the ICO Intelligence Hub tosubmitintelligence reports and share relevant information.

• Comply withthe ICOs information governance policies and proceduresand in particularthose relating to information security.

• Throughout the investigation process provide a high standard of customer service to all parties managing expectations sensitively and communicating clearly regularly and atan appropriate level in writing face to face and over the telephone.

• Develop andmaintainrelationships with any relevant internal/external stakeholders as directed and asappropriate.

• Attend internal meetings and external meetings and events giving presentations where necessary.

• Provide briefing or guidance material to other ICO departments or for senior members of staff where necessary.

• Strong focus on disclosure responsibilities ensuring all statutory and regulatory reporting obligations are met to a high standard

• Collate andsubmitfiles of evidence for consideration by the ICO LegalDepartmentas necessary.

Person specification

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• Experience relevant to the role requirements as described in the role responsibilities and person specification and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.

• Good intellectual and analytical abilityin order todevelop knowledge. Ability to apply complex legislation to a variety of circumstances.

• Ability to manage criminal investigations

• Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Good intellectual and analytical abilityin order todevelop knowledge. Ability to apply complex legislation to a variety of circumstances.

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to manage investigations

• Ability to deal with a demanding workload and to prioritise accordingly

• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team

• Ability to make presentations to small groups

• Ability to ensure that the highest standards of quality and customer care are achieved

• Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels

• Ability to use standard office IT packages such as Word Excel Outlook.

Equality diversity and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality diversity and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace whereall ofour colleagueshave the opportunity tomake a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together witha number ofstaff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Candidates with a disability who meet theminimumcriteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICOs commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

As part of the ICOs commitment to our EDIobjectivesand creating a workplace thatrepresentsthe communities and societies we serve we guarantee an interview to candidates who declare they identify as belonging from an ethnic minority background and who meet theminimumcriteria for this vacancy

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method please email the HR team at