Role: Research Officer (Operation Beaconport)
District/Department: Crimes Services
Location: Europa View, Sheffield
Salary: £28,914 - £31,749
Hours: 37
Contract Type: Temporary for 12 months
Role Purpose:
Working as a Research Officer as part of the investigation team for Operation Beaconport, investigations selected nationally for further review into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse between 2010-2025.
The post holder will support colleagues by conducting appropriate research tasks during the enquiry.
Key responsibilities:
- Utilise police systems to provide comprehensive reports for the investigation team.
- Liaise with external agencies and internal departments within SYP to support the research function.
- Process and risk assess information received from internal and external departments.
- Maintain liaison with key stakeholders both internal and external to the Force in terms of information.
- Support investigative functions by appropriate research and product dissemination.
- Conduct and complete appropriate Charter applications in line with IP act.
- Conduct Open and Closed Source Research in accordance with Force policy.
- Be proficient in developing and obtaining information and intelligence from a variety of online sources including open-source opportunities.
- Be proficient in identifying digital footprints on the internet and evidential capture of these where necessary and collect and process data using I.T. software.
- Create and maintain databases including record management systems and review data quality and identify duplicate records.
Carry out any other duties commensurate with the purpose and grading of the post that may from time to time be determined.
Skills and experience:
Experience of working with sensitive information and dealing with and maintaining confidentiality
Previous work experience in intelligence/information collection, analysis, research, and action
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and other packages which enable data manipulation, formulae, charts, and functions.
Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.
For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile.
Appearance & Standards:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
South Yorkshire Police’s overarching aim is to deliver an excellent police service to support safer communities. The public’s assessment of our excellence is influenced by the level of trust and confidence in us, as an organisation and as individuals. In comparison to the general public, police officers and police staff are held to a higher standards of behaviour and accountability. In applying to join the police, applicants are accepting of these higher standards and understand the implications on their right to privacy.
South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:
At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.
Smarter ways of Working:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.
There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.
This role has been evaluated as a Fixed role.
Fixed: This is a traditional arrangement, applicable when the work is mostly required to be undertaken at a fixed single place of work (on police premises) for most of the time. The work can only or is more effectively delivered from a police premises or other agreed organisational/partner premises.
Contact details:
For further information about the role, please email DCI Tom Woodward at [email protected]
Closing Date: 24th August 2026.
Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Recruitment Manager and the Line Manager for the role.
Candidate Information:
Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.
It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.
If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on [email protected]
In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.
Internal Candidates:
This vacancy is temporary therefore; you must have the support of your current Line Manager to apply. If you are a permanent member of staff, this would be classed as a secondment opportunity. If you are on a fixed term contract, you must contact the Recruitment Team before applying.
Please ensure that you and your current line manager complete the attached consent form. Please email the completed form to the hiring line manager, with the role title and the closing date stated in the subject of your email.
Without support, your application will not be considered any further.
Documents to Review:
For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here
For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here
For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here
For Secondment Approval - Please Click Here
View our recruitment video:
https://youtu.be/2dGn5qti7_c
Skills Required
- Experience working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality
- Previous work experience in intelligence, information collection, analysis, research, and action
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (data manipulation, formulae, charts, functions)
- Experience conducting open and closed source research (OSINT)
- Ability to identify digital footprints and perform evidential capture
- Experience creating and maintaining databases and record management systems; reviewing data quality
- Ability to conduct and complete Charter applications in line with the Investigatory Powers Act
- Experience liaising with external agencies and internal stakeholders
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
What We Do
South Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing South Yorkshire in England. Its primary mission is to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, protect vulnerable people, and improve visible policing throughout the region. As a full-spectrum force, it operates a wide range of specialist capabilities, including dog sections, mounted sections, and specialist firearms officers to ensure public safety and community support.
