**Criminal Investigator
- Civil Service
- Full Time
- Basingstoke
- 32,110 - 37,193
Job Description
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the governments 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 our careers pages.
Our Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) teams are committed to disrupting and dismantling the organised crime groups facilitating immigration abuse; utilising its financial investigations capability to remove the proceeds of crime and strip criminals of their assets. Through working closely with partners in the National Crime Agency (NCA), territorial policing and many other agencies and departments, our CFI Teams take vigorous action against those criminals that seek to benefit from illegal migration.
Are you looking for an exciting new challenge and a way to use your investigation and communications skills and protect the public? Come and join us on the frontline as an Immigration Officer helping us to tackle crime and deliver secure borders.
We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. In CFI you will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.
Job description
As a Criminal Investigator, you will carry out investigations into a wide range of immigration-related offences. This can include gathering intelligence and evidence, identifying illicit funds and criminal activity, interviewing individuals, preparing file submissions, working with partner agencies, supporting intelligence-led enforcement operations, and giving evidence in court when required.
Our people need to operate in sometimes difficult and pressurised environments and are required to make well balanced decisions. It can be physically demanding at times, so a good level of fitness and mobility is important to carry out the role effectively.
The role offers the opportunity to develop strong communication, teamwork, professionalism, and decision-making skills while working in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
The position offers comprehensive training and ongoing support, with opportunities to build professional investigative skills and progress through structured learning and development towards College of Policing accredited PIP1 and eventually PIP2 status. It is a varied and rewarding career for individuals looking to use their investigative and communication skills to tackle crime, protect vulnerable people, and contribute to keeping the UK secure.
You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for (but not limited to):
- Planning and conducting investigations to identify, apprehend and prosecute suspects, or take other appropriate action.
- Collecting material from various sources, ensuring it is recorded, stored and retained to be legally admissible.
- Providing support, maintaining contact and completing risk assessments to ensure safety and welfare
- Conducting investigative interviews with suspects and witnesses to gather evidence and intelligence.
- Identifying and managing operational threats, assessing risks in real time.
- Maintaining high ethical standards, acting with integrity, and ensuring compliance with legislation like the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA).
- Working with internal and external partners to build cases, develop investigative strategies, and communicate effectively with stakeholders and the public.
- Analysing information to make fair, timely decisions on cases, preparing reports for senior managers, managing relationships through written and face-to-face communication, ensuring work meets standards and targets, handling high-volume complex casework, and reflecting on performance while keeping updated with legislation, technology and research ongoing.
Working Pattern
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
Training
You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone; you 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.
Eventbrite
If you want to learn more about these roles, you can join one of our free online live events, during which you will hear from staff about what the job is like, what opportunities and career prospects you may have, and why the job matters. We will also talk about the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions from our friendly and experienced team members.
1PM Thursday 11th June 2026 -
6PM Wednesday 17th June 2026 -
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to gather, analyse and interpret information to support evidence-based decision-making and proportionate risk assessment
- Ability to remain resilient and adaptable, maintaining performance and professionalism in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations
- Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness when handling information and investigative material
- Ability to work with integrity, demonstrating professionalism and adherence to legislation, policy and procedures
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain effective case progression
- Experience of working collaboratively with others to achieve shared outcomes or investigative objectives
- Commitment to continuous professional development, maintaining awareness of relevant legislation, processes and best practice
Desirable Criteria
- An all-round awareness of the specialist functions associated with complex crime investigation such as use of Proceeds of Crime Application (POCA), surveillance, exploitation of digital devices, operational planning and public
