Forensic Investigator - Evidence & Technical Service Command (FE&TSC)

Salary Pay Range

AU $80 - $120K

Hours

Shift Work

Qualifications

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Attributes

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Key Skills

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Future Prospects

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Job Description

Police Officers have a responsibility to protect public life and property. They undertake extensive on-the-job training and perform a diverse range of duties, including: maintaining public order and safety; being first responder to emergency calls; investigating and prosecuting criminal offences; enforcing traffic law; securing and examining crime scenes; and dealing with violent offenders or people under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

You can specialise in other roles while working for NSW Police, such as working in specialist commands.  These specialist roles operate within a Specific Command or Unit.  Specialist commands are exciting avenues you can take in progressing your career within the NSW Police Force.  One such Specialist role is Forensic Investigator within the Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command (FE&TSC). FE&TSC provide a specialised forensic response to crime and incident scenes. Incorporating the collection and examination of exhibits, with the focus on:

  • Crime scene examination
  • Fingerprint identification
  • Document examination
  • Ballistics investigation
  • Forensic imaging
  • Engineering investigation

Read about all other Specialist Command Roles here

Careers Ladder

All Specialist Command Roles Senior Sergeant Sergeant Leading Senior Constable Forensic Investigator Senior Constable Constable Probationary Constable

Qualifications

This is one role where you can fast track your career as a Police Officer.  NSW Police Force offers forensic science graduates an opportunity to fast track into a career as a Police Officer - Forensic Investigator.  To be considered for the program, you must have completed a forensic science degree from a recognised tertiary institution.  

The Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Accelerated Recruitment Program (FE&TSARP) involves completing the Associate Degree in Policing Practice (ADPP) whilst performing and gaining an insight into general policing duties at a Sydney metropolitan police station. However the minimum general duties component has been reduced from three years to one year as part of this program.

FE&TSARP timetables

  • Once an FE&TSARP Officer attests as a Probationary Constable, they will commence duty at their assigned metropolitan Police Area Command (PAC) and continue their ADPP studies
  • After approximately 10 months at a PAC (during session 5 of ADPP), they will attend an induction day at their allocated FE&TS site
  • Once the FE&TSARP Officer is confirmed in the rank of Constable, they will be eligible to transfer to FE&TS when the allocated Forensic Investigator Position is available
  • Upon transfer to the FE&TS, the FE&TS ARP Officer will commence training in their respective forensic job stream

FE&TSARP - Pathway to Forensic Investigator or Fingerprint Expert

Upon being accepted into the accelerated program, the pathway is as follows:

Training to achieve expert status (Crime Scene, Fingerprints, Document Examination) through the Australasian Forensic Science Assessment Body (AFSAB) is competency based and generally takes four to five years to complete. It consists of:

  • Advanced Diploma of Forensic Investigation (holders of a relevant Forensic Science degree under accelerated recruiting will receive skills recognition for this course)
  • Graduate Certificate in Forensic Fingerprint Investigation OR Crime Scene Investigation
  • Passing all internal and external competency requirements and assessments
  • Undertaking internal specialist training courses

All training requirements to achieve national accreditation are funded by NSW Police Force.

Attributes

  • Assertive
  • Calm
  • Communicator
  • Ethical
  • Honest
  • Interpersonal
  • Initiative
  • Open-minded
  • Resilient
  • Responsible
  • Secure

Key Skills

  • Be flexible, show initiative and respond quickly when situations change
  • Keep control of own emotions and stay calm under pressure and in challenging situations
  • Model the highest standards of ethical behaviour
  • Act on reported breaches of rules, policies and guidelines
  • Show commitment to achieving challenging goals
  • Adapt well in diverse environments
  • Tailor communication to the audience
  • Clearly explain complex concepts and arguments to individuals and groups
  • Monitor own and others’ non-verbal cues and adapt where necessary
  • Write fluently in a range of styles and formats
  • Identify and respond quickly to customer needs, working towards mutually satisfactory outcomes
  • Complete own work tasks under guidance, within set budgets, timeframes and standards
  • Research and analyse information and make recommendations based on relevant evidence
  • Be willing to seek out input from others and share own ideas to achieve best outcomes
  • Take responsibility and be accountable for own actions
  • Understand delegations and act within authority levels
  • Identify and follow safe work practices, and be vigilant about their application by self and others
  • Be alert to risks that might impact the completion of an activity and escalate these when identified
  • Use financial and other resources responsibly, showing awareness of financial delegation principles and processes
  • Understand compliance obligations related to using resources and recording financial transactions
  • Apply practical skills in the use of relevant technology
  • Make effective use of records, information and knowledge management functions and systems
  • Contribute to developing team capability and recognise potential in people
  • Recognise performance issues that need to be addressed and seek appropriate advice
  • Assist team to understand organisational direction and explain the reasons behind decisions

Future Prospects

After completion of your initial three year tenure, you might be eligible to make a lateral move into a specialty post, such as a Dog Unit, PolAir, or the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit where you can work as a Detective, Training Officer, a member of the Marine Area Command, or many other specialised positions.

Transferable skills can be utilised in specialist roles within NSW Police such as;

 

You may like to think about advancing in this career, moving into senior roles  such as;

 

Transferable skills which can be used in positions following a career in NSW Police.

Former NSW Police officers have transitioned into a range of roles including TAFE facilitator, Client Services Officer, Analyst, Investigator, Compliance Manager, Truck Driver, Fire Fighter, Crime Prevention Manager, Correctional Officer, Account Manager, Security Manager, Consultant, Safety Training Facilitator, Trainer & Assessor, Aged Care Coordinator, Area Coordinator and Managers in a variety of sectors.