West Midlands Police
Cover and Welfare Officer - Counter Terrorism Policing
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Closing date: Tuesday 21st July 2026, 11:59pm
Rank: Constable
Contract: Secondment or transferee opportunity ⇄
The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) [https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/] network stretches across the UK. We work alongside our partners to thwart terrorist planning and help bring perpetrators to justice.
At the regional level, the Counter Terrorism Police West Midlands (CTPWM) [https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/west-midlands/] coordinates the counter terrorist response and provides specialist support to Police Forces in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and the West Midlands.
Based at our modern offices within near Birmingham International Airport, you will work Monday to Friday covering between the core hours of 7am to 10pm, but an element of flexibility is necessary outside of these hours to meet business needs. You will also be part of a scheduled on-call rota.
The role
This post will allow you to have the opportunity to personally develop yourself and once in the role you will be trained and entered into a National Index of trained Cover Officers. Covert policing experience is not essential when applying for this position.
As an accredited Cover Officer, you will be responsible for the online and physical undercover operatives (UCO) security and welfare on a day to day basis. This will entail the daily managing of the operative, ensuring they are appropriately briefed and tasked prior to any deployment, confirming that these deployments are recorded accurately in line with national standards. You will work independently of the operational team to ensure any interactions between the UCO and the team happen in accordance with the agreed sterile corridor arrangements.
You will be fully conversant with current law, procedures and guidelines relevant to undercover operations, ensuring that when deploying operatives, this is done lawfully, using the correct level of covert tactics. Providing tactical and operational advice to the team, you will in time maintain crucial portfolios to ensure operational capability such as Covert Logistics, Backstopping and Technical roles.
You will have the highest individual standards of confidentiality, honesty, integrity, tact and diplomacy while being sensitive to the issues of operating within our diverse communities.
Due to the small team and the nature of the role there is a need to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, as there may be occasions you will need to deploy at short notice for periods of time in response to dynamic and changing circumstances.
Responsibilities
- Supervising Undercover Officers (UCO) (deployed both physical and online), ensuring that the security and welfare needs of the operatives and the operation are considered and dealt with appropriately.
- Ensuring the security and welfare needs of the UCO, fulfilling requirements of RIPA.
- Ensuring that no ‘blue on blue’ compromise situations occur during operations.
- Tactically advising and supporting the operational team and SIO(s) with regard to UCO options.
- Providing effective management of the UCO; agreeing and setting direction, aims, tactics, establishing exit strategies, monitoring and reviewing progress.
- Having regular conversations with the UCO, and listening to any concerns, or pressures they may be experiencing; scrutinising behaviours to identify changes that could indicate stress.
- Record keeping with regard to UCO welfare, deployment (including a record of all hours worked) and any other relevant matters, and providing to the COM-UC of the host and donor units concerned and, as appropriate, to the Operational Lead.
- Ensuring provision of suitable technical equipment as required for the operation, operative safety devices, communications and vehicles.
- Providing guidance in relation to the production of UCO product without becoming involved in the evidential chain (in accordance with RIPA, CPIA, IPA and PII matters).
- Establishing and maintaining professional relationships with strategic partners.
- Maintaining an up to date knowledge in respect of all undercover policing methods and issues at a legal, procedural, policy and practical level.
- Maintaining detailed knowledge and providing guidance on relevant legal issues and policies including disclosure and preparation of evidence.
- Developing and maintaining an excellent practical working knowledge of local, national and international issues, and its relevance to daily activity.
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Skills and competencies
Essential
- Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills.
- Sensitivity to the issues of operating within diverse communities.
- Demonstrate initiative and innovation, while working as part of a team.
- Ability to be flexible in the working environment particularly with hours of duty.
- Can demonstrate experience and understanding of the use of sensitive intelligence.
- Hold a full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Previously received Undercover Policing training at either foundation or advanced level.
- Knowledge of covert policing techniques.
- Knowledge of Counter Terrorism Policy, Legislation, structures and practices.
- Detailed knowledge of RIPA, ECHR, UC Case law, evidence and disclosure.
Additional information
⇄ This position is offered as a permanent post to West Midlands Police or a 2 year secondment. To qualify for the latter, you must confirm in your application that you have received approval, through the process established by your Chief Officer, for secondment to another force.
To carry out this role, you will be required to attend and pass an accredited course at the College of Policing.
Please note this role falls under Category B under the Windsor Adjusted Duties categories
Officers with Winsor Adjusted Duties categories that match the required category for this role will be considered before candidates in other categories. In some cases, a candidate may be rejected based on their Winsor Adjusted Duties category. For example, if a Police Officer with a category “D” applies for a category “A” role without supporting evidence from Occupational Health, their application may not be progressed. Conversely, if a category “D” role is being advertised, priority consideration will be given to candidates in category “D.” This approach ensures that West Midlands Police balances its operational requirements with supporting career progression for colleagues.
Security Clearance
⚠ This post requires British nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and Developed Vetting [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#developed-vetting-dv].
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You will need to undergo additional security clearance checks, with the offer of employment being conditional on obtaining all of the necessary security clearances.
There are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.
Diversity & Inclusion
We maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm.
Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs to ensure work-life balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.
We are a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
Advertisement Closing Date
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing.
Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.
Counter Terrorism Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.
Join Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU for a unique opportunity to play your part in keeping the West Midlands region safe. Every day offers a variety of exciting challenges and exceptional opportunities played out on a national and international stage.
Most of what we achieve may never see the light of day but be assured that we have the very best and brightest working around the clock in an effort to keep us all safe. These ordinary men and women do extraordinary things in an effort to thwart terrorist planning; to safeguard those who are at risk of radicalisation; to protect our critical national infrastructure, institutions and crowded places, and to pursue and bring terrorists to justice.
Our Counter Terrorism Unit aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. With a range of roles available, you don’t need a background in security and we are always looking for different skills and experiences to join our talented team.
Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network.
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