Radio frequency propagation surveyor

A radio frequency propagation surveyor is a digital and cybercrime position within the investigation sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.

Role purpose

The radio frequency propagation surveyor provides specialist evidence of radio frequency propagation surveying (RFPS) in support of operations and investigations. They use agreed survey strategies and specialist equipment to provide advice, guidance and to support the strategy in relation to RFPS, to maximise investigative opportunities and to capture forensic network evidence.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.

• Providing specialist technical advice and guidance to senior investigating officers and investigating officers on RFPS opportunities, in proactive, reactive investigations and crime in action, to guide the investigation on the best course of action in the circumstances.
• Responding to both proactive and reactive investigations, making informed decisions in support of force critical incidents.
• Building strong working relationships across teams to agree strategies to achieve the successful investigation of crime.
• Using specialist equipment to attend locations to retrieve, preserve, examine and analyse from forensic sources, communications network and wireless data and evidence in support of operational policing and investigation.
• Presenting technical information and advice to the senior investigating officer (SIO), the prosecuting authority and court, acting as specialist witness to ensure that RFPS techniques and findings are fully understood and that the prosecuting authority is furnished with the most appropriate communications data possible.
• Evaluating final surveys against core data and investigation needs, using RFPS methods to ultimately provide statement of fact or expert, opinion-based evidence, around the location of a cellular network device, and wireless data, by way of an evidential report.
• Providing contemporaneous notes detailing records of all decisions and meetings for scrutiny at court to ensure the highest level of integrity and accountability.
• Carrying out peer reviews of RFPS reports to enable specialist advice to be fed into the investigation process, and to support continuous improvement in the team.
• Developing and maintaining detailed, clear operating procedures and development of processes in support of the RFPS function, to ensure that the RFPS function meets the requirements of the force and prosecuting authority.