Information about the role of an underwater search diver, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
An underwater search diver is a specialist operations position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The role of the underwater search diver is to provide the assured policing capability for conducting underwater search and forensic recovery of bodies, weapons, property and evidence relating to criminal investigations, while breathing compressed air. They operate in inland, coastal and open water up to a depth of 50 metres, in accordance with statutory regulations and National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Operating in accordance with the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Code of Practice and guidance L104 Commercial diving projects inland/inshore to ensure safety and legal compliance.
- Applying approved underwater search techniques to ensure the systematic, thorough and efficient location of bodies, weapons, property and evidence, in support of police investigations and coronial inquests.
- Recovering evidence in line with approved forensic practices to ensure evidential continuity and scene preservation, in support of police investigations and coronial inquests.
- Operating specialist equipment, including SONAR and remotely operated vehicles (ROV), in accordance with national guidance, policy and procedure, to enhance search accuracy and efficiency, diver safety, scene documentation and evidential quality of underwater search operations.
- Undertaking defensive underwater search operations in support of major events or counter terrorism operations to identify and mitigate potential threats, ensure public safety and protect personnel, venues and infrastructure.
- Acting as a standby underwater search diver, readily available to carry out emergency procedures and tasks required by the underwater search dive supervisor to support the underwater search operation.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Qualified as a licensed search officer (LSO). This is a pre-requisite to attend the basic air course.
- Prior diving qualifications are not essential, but it is expected that individuals will have completed a try-dive to experience breathing compressed air underwater and to ensure personal suitability for the role.
In-role education, qualifications and experience
Where no existing diving certification is held, successful achievement of the following qualifications must be obtained before being authorised to undertake the role of underwater search diver:
- obtain HSE certificate of medical fitness to dive (this must be obtained before attending HSE-approved basic air course at an NPCC-approved diving school)
- obtain an enhanced first aid certificate before attending the HSE-approved basic air course
- successfully complete an HSE-approved basic air course at an NPCC-approved diving school
Where existing external diving certification is held, the following must be obtained before being authorised to undertake the role of an underwater search diver:
- hold or obtain an in date HSE certificate of medical fitness to dive
- hold or obtain an in-date enhanced first aid certificate
All qualifications and certification will be subject to review and assessment by an NPCC-approved diving school, with additional underwater search diver training required to achieve operational qualification.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
In addition to meeting all HSE statutory requirements, the following training and registration requirements should be maintained to ensure operational competence and effective performance in the role.
- Undertaking refresher training or a formal competency assessment at least once every five years.
- Ensuring that no period of police diving inactivity exceeds 90 days.
- Maintaining LSO licensing and CPD requirements in accordance with the LSO role profile.
- Complete all core training and learning as required by the force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- maintaining currency of knowledge and understanding regarding changes to legislation, national policy and guidance applicable to police underwater search
- maintaining currency of knowledge and understanding regarding new and innovative approaches to underwater search, as identified by evidence-based policing research and problem-solving
- taking part in deep water training and collaborative training exercises, to ensure national consistency of standards
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