Information about the role of a financial investigator, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A financial investigator is a financial crime position within the investigation sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The financial investigator provides input, advice and support to those managing live incidents and investigations involving a financial element. They gather intelligence to conduct proactive and reactive specialist financial investigations.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Supporting the development of financial investigation plans. Agreeing expectations for how financial intelligence can support investigations with senior investigation officers to achieve clarity on joint objectives.
- Gathering, recording and sanitising financial intelligence, in line with the applicable intelligence models and the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, to support ongoing investigations.
- Interrogating specialist databases, networks and other online tools, such as investigating suspicious activity reports (SARs), in line with protocols, to support ongoing investigations.
- Producing criminal files and court files, using applicable case file management standards, guidance and legislation, to support a prosecution.
- Interviewing witnesses and suspects to obtain financial intelligence, to assist with identifying financial crime and the proceeds of crime.
- Using the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and associated legislation, specialist gateways and external agencies to develop intelligence packages for use in financial and other investigations.
- Using investigative tools and searching, seizing and detaining cash. Preparing applications for warrants and orders using the relevant legislation to prevent criminals from profiting from the proceeds of crime.
- Preparing relevant material on money laundering and financial dealings for disclosure, in liaison with crown prosecutors when necessary, to support investigations.
- Sharing good practice on financial investigation and building cases in force, regionally and nationally to aid collaboration. Promoting the use of financial investigation practices in mainstream policing investigations, where appropriate, and continuous improvement in policing more widely.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 2: supervisor or middle manager
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values. These values apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. Skills are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management– Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following training, registration and learning requirements should be met.
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Knowledge of search and seizure powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
- Good understanding of the National Crime Agency (NCA) registration, accreditation and monitoring policy.
In-role education, qualifications and experience
- If not previously qualified, successful completion of financial investigator’s course run by the NCA.
- Achieve or, if previously qualified, hold current NCA accreditation or registration as a financial investigator.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence.
CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of a professional development review (PDR) conversation.
Learning and accreditation
- Maintain NCA accreditation or registration as a financial investigator.
- Complete all core training and learning as required by force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- keeping up to date with new approaches to evidence-based policing and financial intelligence gathering and court procedures
- maintaining a working knowledge of how technological advances might facilitate offenders in committing crimes
- keeping up to date with College of Policing guidance relevant to core duties
Related roles
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