Hi, I’m Steve and I work as a PIP1 Criminal Investigator within Immigration Enforcement.
My role is to investigate organised immigration crime. That includes arresting and interviewing suspects and presenting cases to the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts. I’m trained by the College of Policing and use powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
From Border Force to criminal investigations
I joined the Home Office during the COVID lockdown period in 2020 as a Border Force Officer at Manchester Airport.
While working there, I developed a strong interest in immigration casework and investigations. That naturally led me to apply for a role in the Criminal and Financial Investigation team (CFI), which I joined in 2022.
A career shaped by public service
I didn’t always know what I wanted to do. I studied travel and tourism at college and then spent some time working in retail before applying to Merseyside Fire Brigade.
I was successful and went on to have a 25-year career as a firefighter. Unfortunately, I was injured in the line of duty and couldn’t continue in that role.
During my recovery, I found myself watching programmes about Border Force, and that sparked the idea of joining the Home Office. I’ve been in uniformed service my whole working life, so it felt like the right next step.
No two days are the same
The work I do is different every day. We take investigations from initial referral right through to conviction, so you stay with the case the whole way through.
One day I might be using my ‘method of entry’ skills to break into a property linked to criminal activity, and the next I could be in court giving evidence in a modern slavery case. That mix of operational work and investigation is what makes the role so interesting.
“It’s just as important to prove someone’s innocence as it is to prove their guilt.”
What I enjoy most is the early investigation stage, taking a referral and working through the evidence to understand what’s really happened.
During training I learned that it’s just as important to prove someone’s innocence as it is to prove their guilt. That’s something that has stayed with me.
I like that we remain impartial and present the facts as we find them. Fairness is what motivates me.
Support, flexibility and life outside work
The role can be intense, with some long days, but there is also a good level of flexibility. It works both ways, and I’ve found it much easier to take time off when I need it compared to previous roles.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, skiing with my son, and going on motorcycle trips to the Alps.
Skills, variety and making a difference
I’ve always been proud to do work where I can make a difference, even in a small way. For me, one of the biggest benefits of working in CFI and the Home Office is the skills and knowledge you gain. The role is varied and you’re constantly learning, which keeps things interesting.
A place to build more than one career
There are so many different roles across the Home Office that you can build multiple careers without leaving the organisation. When I first joined, I knew I wanted to be a Border Force Officer, but I had no idea that a role like this as a Criminal Investigator even existed. It’s something you discover along the way.
If you’re open to learning and exploring what’s out there, there are a lot of opportunities to find a path that suits you. I would say just go for it. It could change your life.
