Information about the role of a dedicated football officer, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
A dedicated football officer is a specialist operations position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The dedicated football officer provides a focal point for all information and intelligence relating to an assigned football club. Their aim is to minimise the impact of anti-social behaviour, violence and criminality at football events, both within the police area they work and the police areas that are responsible for ‘away’ fixtures.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Preparing accurate and timely intelligence and information products for all fixtures (home and away) involving an assigned football club to minimise football-related crime and disorder and to help determine the strategy, tactics, resource levels and support services required for the policing of a football event.
- Providing a key link between the police, club, supporters and other stakeholders, utilising all media sources to good effect in line with force policy for information, intelligence and investigation, to enhance spectator safety during football policing operations.
- Coordinating operational football officers (OFO) (home and away) as engagement assets, including conducting intelligence-specific briefings and debriefings, to enhance the effectiveness of football policing operations.
- Contributing to the development of appropriate strategic, tactical and operational plans by attending planning meetings, using knowledge of the football event and the club’s supporters to ensure that appropriate logistical arrangements are provided for the football policing operation.
- In the event of a designated OFO-only fixture, assuming responsibility for the command of the football event to effectively command the event.
- Providing a source of specialist advice on the policing of the club for the public order public safety (POPS) command team to effectively command the event
- Monitoring and observing the safety measures provided by the club, maintaining a detailed knowledge of the club’s operations manual, contingency and emergency plans to ensure a safe and effective policing operation.
- Communicating to the police command any issues relating to changes to the infrastructure or operational systems within the stadium that are likely to have an impact on policing responsibilities, to ensure a safe and effective policing operation.
- Collating all evidence, information and intelligence in support of football banning orders on conviction or on complaint to ensure appropriate national procedures are followed.
- Completing and submitting relevant graded intelligence reports, match summary reports and items for inclusion in the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) national and international incident assessment to ensure appropriate national and international procedures are followed.
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 ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
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 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These 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 2
- Problem solving – Level 2
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 2
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Experience of policing football operations.
- Passed the accredited football officers training course delivered by United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU).
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 professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
To achieve effective performance in the role, the following reaccreditation and learning requirements should be met.
- Obtain annual reaccreditation by providing portfolio evidence of operational competence in carrying out the role of a dedicated football officer. Attendance at a minimum of two home and two away football matches for the club the individual has responsibility for in the capacity of a dedicated football officer and demonstration of appropriate attitudes and behaviour via the force appraisal process.
- Attend regional and/or national intelligence workshops and conferences hosted by the UKFPU.
- Complete all core training and learning as required by the 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 changing legislation and current national priorities relating to all key areas within policing and how this may affect the role
- ensuring all decision-making is in line with the national decision model
- ensuring that case file management follows current best practice
- keeping up to date with guidance and best practice on vulnerability, safeguarding and violence against women and girls (VAWG)
- keeping up to date with new approaches to evidence-based policing
- keeping up to date with the football operational advice document
- maintaining a working knowledge and understanding of new and evolving crime threats and priorities and current best practice to tackle these to enable a proactive and preventative approach to football policing
- maintaining an up-to-date understanding of College of Policing guidance, regulations, best practice and any local policy applicable to football policing
Related roles
You can find other service deliverer roles in the: