West Midlands Police
Digital Quality and Research Technical Manager
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Digital Quality & Research Team Manager
West Midlands Police – Digital Forensic Unit (DFU) & Digital Media Investigation (DMI)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Digital Quality & Research Team Manager to support West Midlands Police (WMP) in maintaining and growing ISO accreditation across the Digital Forensic Unit (DFU), central Digital Media Investigation (DMI) Team, DMI hubs, and affiliated functions.
This critical role involves daily supervision, accreditation oversight, technical guidance, and research to ensure compliance with international forensic standards (ISO 17020, ISO 17025, ILAC G19, FSR Codes of Practice, ACPO Digital Evidence Principles) while fostering a culture of innovation, training, and accountability.
The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in digital forensics, project management, and stakeholder communication while leading a team focused on raising investigation standards and implementing emerging technologies.
Key Responsibilities
Accreditation & Compliance Leadership
- Own the supervision and daily management of technical accreditation requirements within digital forensics and digital investigations.
- Ensure strict adherence to ISO standards, regulatory codes, and ACPO digital evidence principles.
- Monitor performance by submitting regular reports to Senior Leadership.
Team Management & Development
- Provide daily tasking and line management of Digital Quality & Research Officers.
- Practice positive leadership, performance management, and capacity-building to enhance workplace capability.
- Conduct Performance Development Reviews focusing on technical competence, workload productivity, and capability growth.
Technical Quality & Innovation
- Validate hardware and software for Digital Forensic Unit, Central DMI Team, and frontline policing tools (e.g., self-service kiosks).
- Research and develop best practices for data acquisition, analysis, and reporting techniques.
- Troubleshoot technical issues and troubleshoot emerging vendor developments to prioritise cutting-edge tools.
Training & Competency
- Oversee all corporate-wide training and competency requirements for staff across laboratory and Force environments.
- Conduct evidentiary digital investigations for digital devices (computers, mobile phones, etc.) as part of formal evidential reporting.
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Stakeholder Reporting
- Present written and verbal summaries with data-driven recommendations for strategic decisions.
- Support investigating officers through digital forensics and evidentiary reporting for Crown Prosection, Courts, and judicial processes.
Key Working Relationships
- Digital Forensic Unit (including Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Reporting Teams).
- West Midlands Police Service Improvement Team, Senior Leadership, and the wider Digital & Technology domain.
- Investigating Officers (police and civilian).
- Police Authorises, Prosecutors, and Justice Agencies.
Selection Approach (Deferred for Full Role Details)
A dedicated link to the full job description (disclosing essential requirements, desirable skills, and educational criteria) is available here.
Key Employment Considerations
Behaviours & Accountability
All prospective officers are expected to maintain a higher standard of professional conduct than the public, with enhanced privacy considerations in line with police powers and procedural protections.
Pressures & Standards
West Midlands Police holds members to strict ethical standards reinforcing their roles in public protection.
Selection Process
- Initial application (screening)
- Shortlisting (technical and situational review)
- In-person interview
Employer’s Benefits Package
This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to make a real, lasting impact. The offerings include:
- Competitive pay and progression with a strong pension scheme aligned to public service.
- Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday credit.
- Concessionary travel, parking, daily living costs, and leisure offers.
- Wellbeing support package (24/7 helpline, free eye tests, vaccinations, etc.).
- Other benefits (Blue Light Card, Disability Confident Employee Assistance Programme).
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Important Positions on Equality & Recruitment
Disability Confident
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader, certifying its commitment to fair recruitment. All candidates declaring a disability who meet the essential standards receive an interview under normal selection situations. Interviews may be deferred cautiously in high-volume or peak recruitment periods.
Diversity & Inclusion Mandate
West Midlands Police prioritises fair recruitment and inclusivity to reflect local demographics and achieve excellence through diversity.
Force Overview
As England’s second-largest single force, the West Midlands Policing Service supports Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and surrounding districts (Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, Dudley). Daily challenges include:
- Responding to 2,000+ critical medical, public safety, and investigative calls daily.
- A 24/7 presence to ensure public safety, court preparation, and justice enhancement.
The organisation is evolving with reduced overall crime rates, improved call response times, and raised arrest success thresholds. To continue this momentum, it is searching for the right talent.
The Right Person is Waiting
“Change comes to West Midlands Police through recruitment: champion its cultural values of fairness, fairness, transparency, inclusion, service!”. The Nuts and Bolts of your innovation and serving communities forms your role’s bedrock.
Contact
For any queries, enquire via: careers@westmidlands.police.uk
Role Facts
- Location: Lloyd House, Birmingham (core hours, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM; full details in application)
- Appointment: Successful candidates must undergo Security Vetting (CTS Domicile Eddie) clearance and pass full background/financial checks, alongside medical examinations (including drug and hearing tests).
- Reference: [Categories offered vary per stage]; please follow standard application guidelines.
Apply now to ensure you leave your specialist mark on the forces driving transformational forensic practice.
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