Information about the role of a financial investigator (confiscator), including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A financial investigator (confiscator) 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 (confiscator) determines, through investigation, the financial benefits of a person’s criminal actions. Their goal is to pursue an order for the recoverable amount, which can include the confiscation of financial assets. They verify that investigative procedures are in line with legislation to ensure convicted offenders do not benefit financially from their crimes.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Undertaking investigations into financial assets of convicted offenders to determine the nature of any benefits gained as a result of their criminality.
- Interviewing suspects and witnesses to obtain information on financial gains made through crime to support recovery of the proceeds of crime.
- Undertaking the recording and sanitising of financial intelligence, in line with the applicable intelligence models and the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, to support confiscation cases.
- Preparing, managing and completing, as planned, the confiscation of financial assets procedures, in line with legislation, to ensure the financial benefits of crime are recouped.
- Using the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 together with data from information databases and external agencies to ensure confiscation orders are successfully applied.
- Engaging with specialist support and other specialist colleagues to identify financial assets as part of the confiscation investigation.
- Sharing good practice on financial investigation and building cases for confiscation of assets 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.
- Experience of conducting investigations into money laundering.
In-role education, qualifications and experience
- Successfully complete a financial investigator and confiscator course run by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
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 financial investigator and confiscator accreditation or registration.
- Complete all core training and learning 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, financial intelligence gathering, money laundering, confiscation of assets and court procedures
- maintaining a working knowledge of how technological advances might facilitate offenders in committing crimes
- keeping up to date with national guidance relevant to core duties
Related roles
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