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Criminal intelligence analyst

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Career outlook for criminal intelligence analyst

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£20,000

Experienced

£52,000

Currently employed in Scotland

4,000

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would analyse data to spot patterns and networks of criminal activity and plan ways to tackle and stop crime.

You would:

  • Collect information from local, national and international computer systems
  • Update intelligence records in databases
  • Analyse data using specialist software
  • Build up a picture of crime clusters in an area (problem profiling)
  • Monitor the behaviour of suspect individuals or groups (targeted profiling)
  • Be a witness during court proceedings

Police forces and security agencies will use this information to

  • Understand how patterns of criminal activity are linked
  • Target individuals and their networks
  • Tackle trends in particular crimes, for example fraud, drug smuggling or vehicle theft
  • Plan initiatives to reduce future offending

You’d use the data to help managers plan how to use their resources (tactical assessment). You’d also review how effective the analysis is and recommend changes where necessary.

It’s a job where you’d need to build up relationships with people working in different departments in the police service and other agencies. You’d have access to a lot of confidential information so you’d need to respect and understand data security.

As a senior analyst, you may provide specialist advice and assess trends to help managers decide on future priorities (strategic assessment).

Working conditions

Hours

You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week.

Environment

You would be based at an office.

Travel

You would have to travel to attend meetings or court hearings. You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

UK employment status

Full-time

64%

Part-time

15%

Self employed

21%

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  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Working with technology
  • Problem solving
  • Researching
  • Attention to detail
  • Filtering
  • Sorting
  • Time management
  • Analysing

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

Entry requirements vary. You will need to check exact entry requirements with the police service or government department that you want to apply to.

Employers usually ask for qualifications at SCQF level 5 or above, or relevant work-based experience in data and information work.

You will need qualifications and/or relevant experience that demonstrate online research and investigative skills, confidence with office computer programs like databases, spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software and an understanding of legislation such as data protection. 

Useful subjects

  • English (required by most employers) 
  • Maths (required by most employers) 
  • Administration subjects 
  • ICT subjects
  • Business subjects

You will also need

Applications will include some background checks and you usually need to prove that you:

  • are over 18 years old
  • are a British citizen
  • and have lived in the UK for 10 years

You may also be assessed on your honesty, integrity, discretion and reliability.

You may need a full driving licence and use of a vehicle for some jobs

Helpful to have

Administrative, ICT or Legal Service qualifications such as the:

  • European Computer Driving License (ECDL)
  • Computer Literacy and Information technologies (CLAiT)

 An understanding of law enforcement organisations and the National Intelligence Model (NIM) may be of value.