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- Work with data to help solve and prevent crimes
- Make a real difference to society
- Requires problem solving, logic and data handling skills
As a Criminal intelligence analyst you'll spend your time analysing data to help understand criminal behaviour and solve crimes.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Collect national and international data
- Analyse data using specialist software
- Build a picture of crime in an area by studying trends in data
- Present your intelligence to managers and other agencies
- Monitor the behaviour of individuals or groups
- Update intelligence records on databases
- Review the effectiveness of your analysis
- Act as an expert witness in court
- Keep up-to-date on security and confidentiality rules
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You may need to travel as part of your role and spend nights away from home. The work you do may be physically and emotionally demanding. You could work in an office or in a court.
You'll need
This role is ideal for someone with analytical thinking and reasoning skills, excellent verbal communication skills and who has the ability to use initiative.
For this role you must be over 18 years of age, pass enhanced background checks, be a British Citizen, have lived in the UK for the last 3 years, have a good level of fitness and pass a medical checks.
You could do a degree in a subject that includes data analysis, for example computing, maths and statistics, social science, psychology and criminology.
You can also get into this job through an intelligence analyst, cyber instrusion analyst or cyber security technologist higher apprenticeship.
You may be able to start in a related job in the security services, for example as a researcher or language specialist, and apply to join an intelligence officer training programme.
Alternatively, you could apply to become a police intelligence officer, if you're working in a police force. Each force sets its own application entry requirements.
You could apply for MI5's Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme if you have a degree or relevant work experience. You may also be able to apply through the Civil Service Fast Stream. Applications can take up to 9 months. As part of the process, you'll need to be prepared to answer questions about your personal life, relationships, family and finances.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Many employers offer clear career paths to more senior roles. With experience, you could work as a senior analyst, giving specialist advice and assessing trends to work with managers on future priorities. You might also move to related areas of work within your organisation, for example applying to become a police officer.