Intelligence and Crime Detectives - ICOS
Intelligence and Crime Detectives - ICOS
Investigating Crime at the Heart of Defence
The Ministry of Defence Police Investigation and Crime detectives are central to the success of our ICOS (Intelligence, Crime and Operational Support) department.
ICOS forms a central pillar of our capability to prevent, investigate, and disrupt serious and organised criminal activity targeting Defence and national security.
ICOS brings together intelligence gathering, specialist investigations, financial crime expertise, and operational support to ensure the MOD remains protected against evolving and sophisticated threats. Working proactively and reactively across the UK, the department deploys the 4P approach - Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare - utilising specialist resources including search officers, financial investigators, and covert tactics to tackle complex criminality at the highest level.
Intelligence
The MDP's Intelligence function performs a critical, though often unseen, role in protecting the UK's Defence infrastructure. Working at the intersection of policing, national security, and intelligence, this work is absolutely vital to the safety and effectiveness of the UK's armed forces and Defence assets.
Intelligence Detectives detect, assess, and mitigate threats to MOD personnel, assets, estates, and information. They develop actionable intelligence to support frontline policing decisions, identify criminal activity and national security threats, and contribute to the UK's broader intelligence picture.
Operating within a multi-agency landscape, the Intelligence team bridges the gap between operational policing and strategic Defence, helping shape how the MOD prepares for, detects, and responds to emerging threats.
Investigations
Our Investigations Detectives handle serious and organised crime cases that directly impact the MOD, its estates, assets, and personnel. Case work spans a broad range of serious offences including insider threats and national security matters, theft of materiel attractive to criminal and terrorist organisations, fraud, corruption, bribery, money laundering, and misuse of sensitive or classified material.
Detectives build comprehensive prosecution files for the Crown Prosecution Service or Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, while disrupting ongoing criminality through swift executive action including arrests, searches, interviews, and court proceedings.
Our specialist financial crime team uses powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to track, seize, and recover illicit gains, often supporting complex long-term investigations involving high-value assets.
Roles and Specialisms Within ICOS
ICOS officers are trained to be interoperable across roles where possible, bringing flexibility and breadth to complex Defence security challenges. Whilst officers develop expertise across multiple disciplines, ICOS covers several distinct areas of intelligence and investigation work.
Intelligence
Forward-deployed Intelligence Support Officers, Intelligence Officers, and Intelligence Analysts work together to develop, evaluate, and analyse threat-based intelligence. They identify risks, vulnerabilities, and intelligence gaps, produce classified briefings and analytical products, and support both proactive and reactive investigations across strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
Counter-Terrorism Intelligence
Specialist CT Intelligence Officers and CT Thematic Intelligence Officers assess, develop, and investigate counterterrorism threats including extremism, counter-state activity, and national security risks. Thematic specialists provide subject matter expertise, delivering classified intelligence briefings and analytical products to inform decision-making at all levels.
Covert Authorities Bureau
Experts in covert legislation ensuring lawful handling of covert capabilities and intelligence. Providing tactical deployment advice to investigations and police operations while maintaining strict legal framework compliance and secure intelligence processing standards.
Criminal Investigation
PIP2 Detectives conduct serious and complex crime investigations using appropriate investigative approaches, placing victim protection at the centre of all decisions while maintaining security considerations throughout.
Financial Investigation
Financial crime specialists providing investigative expertise on financial elements of serious incidents and investigations. Conducting specialist financial inquiries and pursuing asset recovery and confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
A Career in ICOS
A career with ICOS offers the opportunity to work across the UK at the forefront of Defence security, tackling some of the most complex and serious criminal threats facing the UK.
Whether your background is in investigation, intelligence analysis, or financial crime, or just a keen interest in detective work, ICOS provides a rewarding and meaningful career with real national impact.