Thames Valley Police
Counter Terrorism Prepare Officer (CTPO) (CTPSE)

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Role of Counter Terrorism Prepare Officers (CTPOs)
The role of Counter Terrorism Prepare Officers (CTPOs) is to coordinate regional CT prepare activity. This includes developing plans, testing and exercising, debriefing, and managing learning within the CTP unit. Day to day, this could include reviewing response plans, planning an exercise, debriefing operational activity, and coordinating organizational learning across the unit. We are linked in to and work alongside frontline partners across the southeast, as well as colleagues in the national network. As part of the team, you will alternate leading on the above specialisms with providing support to the rest of the team.
Ideal Candidate Characteristics
The ideal candidate would possess the following characteristics, but if you feel you have transferable skills that would allow you to excel in the role you are encouraged to apply.
- Experience of planning work over varying time periods in a dynamic environment, with ability to make decisions with a methodical, problem-solving approach.
- Skilled communicator, with ability to adapt communication styles to a variety of audiences. This includes written and verbal presentations to a variety of audiences
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Suite of products (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) with the ability to learn new systems
- An effective team player also able to work well with a minimum of supervision.
Working Arrangements
Candidates living in Surrey, Sussex, or Kent may utilize local office locations. However, they must be able to attend the Newbury site and work a full day (08:00 to 16:00) when operational requirements necessitate their presence.
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in their working hours to meet operational demands. Occasional travel and periods of working away from home may be required. As a result, holding a full UK Driving Licence is an essential requirement of this role.
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Security Requirements
Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary to pass and maintain vetting level DV together with a number of enhanced security checks. In order to achieve this, you must be a British National and have resided in the UK for the past ten years. Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and those studying abroad. Please be aware that if successful there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.
You can find more information about security vetting here.
How To Apply
To apply, click on the “Apply” button below and submit your application before the closing date of Sunday 4 October 2026 at 23:55hrs.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
The leadership within CTPSE and SEROCU are actively committed to embedding and sustaining an inclusive culture that recognizes and champions the diversity of our people and promotes equity and equality so that everyone can succeed at work. The region is delivering this commitment through a long-term strategy that takes a holistic and intersectional approach to wellbeing & inclusion. Our strategy is underpinned by the five strategic objectives;
- Inclusive Culture – We will create, embed, and continually develop an inclusive culture for our people.
- Engaged & Involved – We will ensure our people are engaged, involved, and listened to.
- Wellbeing – We will prioritize the wellbeing of our people.
- Representation – We will attract, recruit, retain, and develop a diverse workforce.
- Inclusive by Design – We will ensure that inclusion is a core principle of our policies, products, and decisions.


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We welcome applications from those interested in part-time and flexible working, and encourage applications from our underrepresented communities.
Our people say that benefits include a good work/life balance, a supportive and welcoming place to work, and excellent terms including a generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the Job Reference number 23860. If you have applied for this role in the last six months, we respectfully ask that you do not reapply at this current time.
IMPORTANT: If you are already a Thames Valley Police (TVP) member of staff and you have been in your post for less than twelve months, your application must be supported by your line manager. We will require written confirmation from your line manager in order to proceed.
Shift allowance, on-call, or other job-related allowances from your previous role will not be protected unless they are attached to the new role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy if we receive a high volume of applications. Should you wish to apply for this post, we advise you to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
Please use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when completing your application, wherever possible, as this will enhance performance.
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