Researcher

Permanent, full time
Various locations across West Yorkshire

Looking for a research role where your work directly supports frontline policing and community safety?

This pivotal position sits within West Yorkshire Police, providing a high quality research service across Districts and Departments. You’ll interrogate multiple information systems and sources to produce timely, accurate and relevant research that informs operational decisions, helps identify links and patterns, and supports investigative and intelligence activity.

We’re seeking someone analytical, curious, organised and confident with databases and information handling, able to work at pace, and motivated by producing research that makes a real difference across the Force.

Role and Responsibilities

You will play a key role in supporting intelligence and operational policing by researching, retrieving and presenting information in clear, corporate formats. You’ll contribute to analytical products, support live operations and ensure information is shared appropriately with internal colleagues and partner agencies.

Key duties include:

• Researching, retrieving and presenting information using a range of internal and external systems and sources, identifying links and associations between incidents, crimes, intelligence and other data
• Maintaining and updating ongoing products to ensure operational and intelligence staff have current, relevant information
• Assisting analysts by providing timely research that informs analytical outputs
• Conducting live time research to support operational activity, as directed
• Providing research support to discipline matters when required
• Contributing to briefings and meetings to support effective intelligence dissemination
• Ensuring information gathered from other forces and agencies is submitted and disseminated accurately, in line with MOPI requirements

Expectations

To succeed in this role, you will be expected to:

• Model the Police Code of Ethics, treating others with dignity, fairness and respect, and actively promote Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
• Operate computerised databases confidently and accurately, with strong attention to detail
• Communicate clearly with colleagues at all ranks and with external partners and agencies
• Manage competing priorities, work at pace and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment influenced by Force and local priorities

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience within an intelligence environment and/or experience of research
• Good working knowledge of, and ability to operate, computerised databases
• Previous experience analysing data
• Prepared to work flexible hours to meet departmental needs
• Willingness to undertake and pass Management Vetting
• Ability and willingness to travel for business purposes and work at any location within the Force as required
• Willingness to undergo regular Psychological Assessment if based in Abusive Images

Benefits / What We Offer

West Yorkshire Police staff can access a wide range of benefits designed to support work–life balance, wellbeing, development and financial security. These include:
• Generous annual leave allowance - 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays)
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme
• Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility-dependent)
• Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card
• Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent)
• Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes
• Opportunities for career development and training
• Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
• A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities
• Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs
• Training and development opportunities

We are proud to be a member of the Fair Work Charter.

How to Apply

Join us in delivering high quality research that supports vital policing across West Yorkshire and offers a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing your professional skills.

The vacancy will close on the 20 April 2026 at 23:55 hours.

The successful candidate will be subject to personal and financial vetting checks prior to appointment