We’re inviting applications from PIP Level 2 Accredited investigators who are ready to take ownership of serious and complex investigations into organised immigration crime. You’ll be confident conducting suspect and witness interviews in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984, preparing high-quality case files, and presenting evidence in court when required.
The closing date for applications is 1 June 2026, and this role will be at the grade of Immigration Officer.
To apply for this role, you must hold current PIP 2 Accreditation and be ready to provide proof of this qualification. A full valid UK (manual/automatic) driving licence is also required.
You’ll receive a starting salary of £32,110 (National) or £36,110 (London and Croydon) plus additional employee benefits. You will be eligible for Annual Hours Working Allowance (AHW) of at least 30% depending on the location. This equates to an additional £9,633 – £11,697 pa based on salary minimum. In addition, Recruitment and Retention allowance of £3,000 pa is applicable. You can read more details on this under the Allowances section, below.
Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on the Immigration Enforcement careers page.
About the role
As a Criminal Investigator, you will undertake a wide range of activities including investigating immigration criminality in line with organisational priorities, and you will use the Proceeds of Crime Act to strip criminal gangs of their illicit profits.
You will be responsible for leading serious and complex criminal investigations into organised immigration crime. This includes gathering evidence, conducting investigations and working with partner agencies including territorial police forces, Local Authorities, Regulatory Bodies and the National Crime Agency. This also includes working with criminal justice partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service, and you may be required to attend court to give evidence.
You will have ownership of complex and high impact cases from arrest to prosecution, having a direct impact on public safety and securing the UK’s borders.
Our people need to operate in sometimes difficult and pressurised environments and are required to make well balanced decisions. This role is physically demanding, and you will need to have a high level of mobility and fitness to carry out this role.
Meet the team
You can learn more about our work and ask questions at our one of our Criminal Investigator online information events. Sign up below to secure your place on Eventbrite.
Here, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities in this role, along with guidance and tips to help you with your application.
Qualifications
Successful candidates must currently hold minimum PIP Level 2 accreditation or Scottish equivalent.
Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) is a four-level accreditation programme under the auspices of the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing. A professional accreditation of Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) Level 2 or Scottish equivalent is mandatory.
An initial check prior to interview will be made on candidates holding PIP 2 accreditation. Candidates who are confirmed as not being accredited will automatically have their application rejected and will not attend an interview.
Working Arrangements
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.
You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting your application. You will be required to work between 22.00 and 06.00, so this is a legal requirement. For more information visit: Night working hours: Hours and limits – GOV.UK
Due to the nature of the work and the geographical locations, some travel by official vehicle will be inevitable and applicants must hold a valid full UK (manual or automatic) driving licence.
Training
Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job through a local mentoring programme. Depending upon your needs, and resources available locally, this could vary from 1-1 support to group support. You will work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
Benefits
- Civil Service Pension with employer contribution rates of 28.97%
- Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA). Currently, minimum of 30% of salary, which equates to an additional £9,633 – £11,697.30 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
- Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £3000 per annum for PIP 2 qualified Criminal Investigators at Immigration Officer grade, working in CFI
- In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements
- Full training, along with access to development opportunities to help you grow in your career
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days
- Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
Find out more about some of the other benefits we offer.
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- Basingstoke
- Belfast
- Cardiff
- Castle Donington
- Croydon
- Durham
- Glasgow
- Heathrow
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- London
- Salford
- Sheffield
- Stansted
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Annual Hours Allowance (AHA)
Annual Hours Allowance is paid in addition to basic salary. AHA is provided to compensate for working varied shift patterns including early morning starts, late night finishes, have their shift start and finish times altered at short notice and work at weekends and on public holidays. The amount of AHA paid will be dependent on your role location and the business need of the team. Further information can be found on our website.
Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA)
Recruitment and Retention Allowance is now applicable for all PIP 2 qualified Criminal Investigators at Immigration Officer grade:
- You must be an IO PIP2 Criminal Investigator working on an investigation team in the Criminal and Financial Investigation Team (CFI)
- You must be in ticket and on the PIP2 central register held on behalf of the College of Policing
- This does not apply to PIP2 qualified staff in CFI at different grades or doing different roles
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The Criminal Investigator role responsibilities include (but not limited to):
- Planning and carrying out criminal investigations into organised immigration crime, setting investigative priorities, directing lines of enquiry, gathering and assessing evidence and coordinating operational activity
- Working closely with partner agencies to disrupt organised criminal groups, safeguard victims, and build robust cases that support successful prosecutions
- Undertaking witness and suspect interviews in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and associated procedures in relation to investigations that include serious and complex crime
- Maintaining personal responsibility for all aspects of file preparation including gathering, recording, storing, accessing, and sharing of evidence in compliance with organisational procedures, codes of practice and legislation
- Attending Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court and giving evidence as required.
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The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
- Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) Accreditation Level 2 or Scottish equivalent. This must already be held.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders
- Sound judgement and analytical skills, able to take evidence-based decisions and calculated risks
- Resilient and flexible, able to deal with any potential conflict and adapt quickly
- Maintains good attention to detail with good workload management and organisational skills
- Has a strong sense of personal ethics and honesty, whilst working within the confines of legislation, policy, and procedure
- Committed to continuous self-improvement, seeking out learning opportunities to improve own knowledge
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This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Application
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:
- CV (showing job history, qualifications and skills/experience including key achievements in each role)
- Statement of suitability (personal statement max 500 words) aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria
Sift
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.
Interview
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be a blended approach of strengths and behaviour-based questions. The behaviours that will be assessed include:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
The interviews will take place face-to-face, in person at all locations listed for this role. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
Visit Civil Service Careers for guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview.
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If you are interested in this role, please apply using the button below.
