Financial Intelligence Officer Internship – East Midlands Special Operations Unit

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) is a collaboration of specialist policing capabilities across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. Our mission is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute serious and organised crime networks operating across the region and beyond. Within this framework, the Regional Economic Crime Unit (RECU) plays a pivotal role in tackling fraud, money laundering, and financial crime that cause significant harm to individuals and communities throughout the East Midlands.

We are currently recruiting two Financial Intelligence Officer Interns to join our Regional Economic Crime Unit. This internship is specifically designed for university students who are currently in their second year of undergraduate study and who are eager to gain real-world, hands-on experience in financial crime investigation within a law enforcement environment. Successful candidates will work across five specialist teams within the department, gaining broad exposure to the full spectrum of economic crime disruption and investigation.

About the Role

As a Financial Intelligence Officer Intern, you will be embedded within the Regional Economic Crime Unit and will actively contribute to the identification, investigation, and disruption of fraud and money laundering activities across the East Midlands region and other areas of the United Kingdom. You will utilise criminal and civil powers alongside a range of disruptive techniques to confront serious organised criminals, with the objective of removing assets or funds suspected to have been derived from criminal activity.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of policing and financial investigation, gaining nationally recognised qualifications while making a tangible contribution to public safety.

Key Responsibilities

Analyse financial intelligence reports and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) submitted under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) and the Terrorism Act 2000, identifying patterns, links, and actionable intelligence relating to fraud and money laundering.
Conduct financial research and intelligence gathering using law enforcement databases including the Police National Computer (PNC), the National Intelligence Model (NIM) systems, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) intelligence platforms.
Assist in the preparation of intelligence packages and evidence files for use by the Proactive Economic Crime Team (PECT) and the Asset Confiscation Enforcement (ACE) Team in support of live investigations.
Support the development of financial profiles of organised crime groups, tracing the movement of illicit funds through domestic and international financial systems, including cryptocurrency transactions where applicable.
Contribute to asset recovery and confiscation proceedings by assisting in the identification, freezing, and seizure of criminal assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, working alongside financial investigators and legal teams.
Participate in cross-team rotations across all five teams within the department, gaining exposure to proactive investigation, reactive investigation, asset recovery, financial surveillance, and intelligence development functions.
Prepare written intelligence assessments, analytical reports, and briefings for senior officers and partner agencies, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with the National Intelligence Model standards.
Engage with external partner agencies including HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and financial institutions to develop collaborative intelligence-sharing arrangements.
Maintain accurate records of all intelligence activities and case management actions in accordance with the Management of Police Information (MoPI) guidelines and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Attend team briefings, training sessions, and development workshops to build knowledge of current economic crime threats, emerging methodologies, and legislative frameworks.

Work Environment and Culture

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit operates from modern facilities across the East Midlands region, with primary bases in Nottingham and Leicester. You will work within a collaborative, intelligence-led environment alongside experienced financial intelligence officers, detectives, analysts, and asset confiscation specialists. The team is committed to professional development and provides a supportive atmosphere where learning is actively encouraged.

Our culture values integrity, analytical rigour, teamwork, and a commitment to protecting the public. We recognise that bringing in student interns injects fresh perspectives and energy into our teams, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your time with us is both educational and impactful. You will be assigned a dedicated mentor throughout your placement who will guide your development and ensure you are exposed to meaningful, challenging work.

Essential Requirements

Must currently be enrolled in and attending the second year of an undergraduate degree programme at a recognised UK university.
Demonstrable interest in financial crime, economic crime, fraud investigation, money laundering, or a related discipline such as criminology, law, accounting, finance, or data analytics.
Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to interpret financial data, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions from complex information.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise intelligence reports and briefings.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel for data analysis and PowerPoint for presentation of findings.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, adhering to the principles of the Official Secrets Act 1989 and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom and willingness to undergo a rigorous police security vetting process, which includes background checks on associates, financial history, and criminal record.
A proactive, self-starting attitude with the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Criteria

Previous work experience or voluntary work in a law enforcement, financial services, legal, or investigative environment.
Familiarity with the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and its application within policing.
Understanding of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Fraud Act 2006, and the Terrorism Act 2000 as they relate to financial crime.
Experience with data visualisation tools such as i2 Analyst's Notebook, Power BI, or Tableau.
Knowledge of cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain analysis, and emerging financial crime methodologies.

Professional Development and Accreditation

One of the most significant benefits of this internship is the opportunity to work towards the nationally recognised Financial Intelligence Officer Accreditation. This professional qualification is highly valued within law enforcement and the wider financial intelligence community across the United Kingdom. Upon successful completion, you will hold a credential that significantly enhances your career prospects in policing, financial regulation, compliance, and intelligence analysis.

Throughout your placement, you will receive structured training in financial investigation techniques, intelligence analysis methodologies, legislation and powers, evidence handling, and report writing. You will also have access to the College of Policing's learning resources and development programmes.

Benefits and Practical Information

This is a paid internship, with the salary aligned to the East Midlands policing partnership pay scales for student placements.
Duration of the internship is typically aligned with the academic year, with flexibility around university term dates and examination periods.
Travel expenses for work-related activities across the East Midlands region will be reimbursed in accordance with EMSOU travel and subsistence policies.
Access to police staff wellbeing services, including occupational health support and confidential counselling.
Opportunity to network with professionals across five specialist teams and build connections that may support future career applications within law enforcement.
Certificate of completion and a detailed reference upon successful fulfilment of the internship programme.

Career Growth Opportunities

Many former EMSOU interns have gone on to secure permanent positions within regional and national law enforcement agencies, including roles as Financial Intelligence Officers, Crime Analysts, and Detective Constables. Others have leveraged their experience to enter careers in financial compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) roles within banking and financial services, the Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs, and the National Crime Agency.

The skills and accreditation you gain during this placement — financial analysis, intelligence reporting, legislative knowledge, and investigative methodology — are transferable and highly sought after across both the public and private sectors.

How to Apply

To apply for the Financial Intelligence Officer Internship, please submit your application through the official recruitment portal. Applications must include a completed application form demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined above, along with a current CV. Please note that applications submitted without evidence of current second-year university enrolment will not be considered.

The selection process consists of an initial sifting stage against the essential criteria, followed by an online assessment and a competency-based interview. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview at an EMSOU facility, where they will be assessed on their analytical thinking, communication skills, and suitability for working within a sensitive law enforcement environment.

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve. The East Midlands Special Operations Unit is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups within policing.

Application deadline: Please refer to the official listing for the current closing date. Early applications are encouraged as positions may be filled before the advertised deadline.