Police to Civilian CV Translator

Police Constable (PC)

A sworn police officer: the rank most officers hold. Constables investigate crime, respond to emergencies, make arrests and give evidence in court.

On a CV: Warranted police officer handling emergency response, investigation and safeguarding with a high degree of independent decision making

Job title: Police Constable, [team or unit], [force]

Checkable: Your rank and dates are confirmed by the force's HR reference, which is usually factual: dates, rank and sometimes sickness and conduct.

Detective Constable (DC)

A constable who has qualified as a detective (usually PIP2) and works on serious and complex investigations in CID or a specialist unit.

On a CV: Accredited detective leading serious and complex criminal investigations from allegation to court

Job title: Detective Constable, [CID or unit], [force]

Checkable: PIP2 accreditation is recorded by your force. Ask for written confirmation of the date you were accredited before you leave.

Sergeant (PS)

The first line manager in policing. A sergeant supervises a team of constables, checks their decisions and investigations. They also run a shift.

On a CV: Front-line team leader responsible for the performance, wellbeing and decisions of a team of [number] officers on a 24/7 rota

Job title: Police Sergeant, [team or unit] (team leader of [number])

Checkable: The rank and any acting or temporary periods are on your HR record. Say 'acting sergeant' or 'temporary sergeant' if that is what it was.

Detective Sergeant (DS)

A sergeant in CID or a specialist investigation unit who supervises detectives and manages a caseload of serious investigations.

On a CV: Investigation manager supervising a team of detectives and a caseload of serious and complex investigations

Job title: Detective Sergeant, [unit] (investigation manager)

Checkable: Your rank, unit and dates are confirmed by HR. Keep your PIP2 record and any supervisor courses.

Inspector

A middle manager who runs several teams, a shift across an area, a custody suite or a specialist unit, often with budget and resourcing duties.

On a CV: Operations manager accountable for [number] officers and staff across [number] teams, with responsibility for performance, risk and resourcing

Job title: Police Inspector, [area or unit] (operations manager for [number] staff)

Chief Inspector

A senior manager, often heading a district, a department or a major investigation team, with a budget and strategic responsibilities.

On a CV: Senior manager leading a department of [number] people with budget, strategy, partnership and performance responsibility

Job title: Chief Inspector, [department or district]

Superintendent / Chief Superintendent

Senior leaders who command a policing area or a large function and take strategic, financial and people decisions.

On a CV: Senior leader accountable for a function of [number] people and a budget of [amount], setting strategy and working with senior partners

Job title: Superintendent, [command or function]

Careful: Chief officer ranks (assistant chief constable and above) must notify proposed jobs within 12 months of leaving under the post-service employment rules. See the guide.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)

Uniformed police staff who work in neighbourhoods on visible patrol, community engagement, anti-social behaviour and problem solving, with limited powers.

On a CV: Uniformed community safety officer resolving local problems with residents, councils, housing providers and schools

Job title: Police Community Support Officer, [neighbourhood team]

Special Constable

A volunteer police officer with the same powers as a regular constable, giving a minimum number of hours alongside another job.

On a CV: Volunteer warranted police officer giving [number] hours a month alongside full-time employment

Job title: Special Constable (volunteer), [force]

Checkable: Hours and dates are recorded by the Special Constabulary. State voluntary roles as voluntary.

Police Staff Investigator (PSI)

Civilian police staff who investigate crime, often at PIP1 or PIP2 level, without warranted powers.

On a CV: Civilian criminal investigator managing a caseload of [type] investigations to file and charge

Job title: Police Staff Investigator, [unit]

Detention Officer

Police staff who care for and supervise detained people in custody under PACE, including risk checks, rousing and property.

On a CV: Custody officer safeguarding detained people, many of them vulnerable, under strict legal and welfare standards

Job title: Detention Officer, [custody suite]

Call handler / Dispatcher

Police staff who take 999 and 101 calls, assess risk and send officers to incidents.

On a CV: Emergency contact handler assessing risk on [number] calls a shift and dispatching resources under pressure

Job title: Call Handler, [force] control room

Recruitment Vetting (RV)

The police vetting every officer and member of staff passes on joining: checks on you, your family, your associates and your finances.

On a CV: Held police Recruitment Vetting (RV) clearance [year] to [year]

Checkable: Police vetting belongs to the force and lapses when you leave. It does not transfer to a civilian employer, who will run their own checks. State the level and the dates you held it.

Management Vetting (MV)

Enhanced police vetting for posts with access to sensitive intelligence, assets or finances.

On a CV: Held police Management Vetting (MV) for a sensitive post, [year] to [year]

Checkable: Lapses on leaving. Say 'held' with dates, never 'hold'.

Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV 1, 2, 3)

Vetting for contractors and other non-police people who work with forces or their information. Levels 1 to 3 rise with access.

On a CV: Held NPPV level [1, 2 or 3] [year] to [year]

Checkable: Officers and staff usually hold RV or MV rather than NPPV. If your role really held NPPV (for example as a contractor), state it with dates; if not, do not claim it.

Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)

National security vetting for posts close to public figures at risk of terrorism, or with access to material useful to terrorists.

On a CV: Held Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance [year] to [year]

Checkable: National security clearances are sponsored for a post by the organisation that needs them. When you leave, a new employer has to sponsor any clearance. Say the level, the dates and that it was sponsored by your force.

Careful: On a public profile such as LinkedIn, think before advertising clearance levels: it can attract approaches from people seeking access. 'Security cleared to national standards (details on request)' is a safer public line.

Security Check (SC)

National security vetting for long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET material.

On a CV: Held Security Check (SC) clearance [year] to [year]

Checkable: SC must be formally reviewed after 10 years and is tied to a sponsoring post. State the dates; a new employer confirms eligibility.

Careful: Keep the level off public social media profiles. On a CV sent to an employer it is normal to state it.

Developed Vetting (DV)

The highest common level of national security vetting, for frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET material.

On a CV: Held Developed Vetting (DV) clearance [year] to [year]

Checkable: DV is reviewed at least every 7 years and tied to a sponsoring post. A new employer must sponsor it again.

Careful: Do not put DV on a public profile. Do not describe what the clearance gave you access to.

DBS check

A Disclosure and Barring Service criminal record check used by civilian employers. Police vetting is not a DBS check.

On a CV: Happy to complete an enhanced DBS check

Checkable: Do not say you hold a current DBS certificate unless you have one, or are on the DBS Update Service.

PIP1 (Professionalising Investigation Programme level 1)

The College of Policing standard for investigating volume and priority crime, held by most uniformed constables and police staff investigators.

On a CV: Accredited investigator to the College of Policing's PIP level 1 (volume and priority crime)

Checkable: Accreditation is held on your force record. Accreditation needs keeping up through CPD, so say 'accredited [year] to [year]'.

PIP2 (serious and complex investigation)

The College of Policing level for investigating serious and complex crime. Detectives reach it through the National Investigators' Exam and a work-based portfolio.

On a CV: Accredited to the College of Policing's PIP level 2 for serious and complex investigation

Checkable: Your force holds the date of accreditation. If you were a trainee detective and did not complete the portfolio, say 'trainee investigator (PIP2 pathway)'.

PIP3 / Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)

The College of Policing level for senior investigating officers who lead major investigations such as homicide and kidnap.

On a CV: Senior investigating officer accredited to PIP level 3, leading major investigation teams and their strategy, resources and partners

Checkable: SIO accreditation is recorded by the force and the College. State the dates and the type of investigations only in general terms.

PIP4 (strategic investigation)

The College of Policing level for strategic management of highly complex investigations.

On a CV: Strategic lead for highly complex investigations (PIP level 4), overseeing senior investigators and organisational risk

CID

The criminal investigation department: detectives who handle serious crime.

On a CV: Criminal investigation department (CID), handling serious crime

Lines of enquiry / investigative strategy

Planning what evidence to gather and in what order, then recording why.

On a CV: Built and recorded investigation plans that prioritised the most proportionate lines of enquiry

Crime scene management

Securing and recording a location so evidence is not lost or contaminated.

On a CV: Secured and managed incident scenes to protect evidence and keep an auditable record

Exhibits officer / evidence handling

Recording, packaging, storing and tracking evidence so its history can be proved in court.

On a CV: Managed evidence to an auditable chain of custody standard accepted in court

Accredited Financial Investigator (AFI) / POCA

Investigators accredited to use the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to trace, freeze and recover criminal money.

On a CV: Accredited financial investigator using the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to trace, restrain and recover criminal assets

Checkable: Financial investigator accreditation is recorded by the National Crime Agency's Proceeds of Crime Centre and lapses if not kept up. Give the dates.

Fraud and economic crime

Investigating fraud, scams and financial crime, often referred through Action Fraud.

On a CV: Investigated fraud and financial crime, analysing bank records and documents to build evidence

Digital media investigator / digital forensics

Gathering and analysing evidence from phones, computers, online accounts and CCTV.

On a CV: Recovered and analysed digital evidence from phones, computers, online accounts and CCTV

Professional Standards (PSD) / misconduct investigator

Investigating complaints and alleged misconduct by officers and staff under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020.

On a CV: Workplace and conduct investigator handling complaints and allegations fairly, to statutory standards

Careful: Never name officers, complainants or outcomes.

PEACE interviewing

The national investigative interviewing model: Planning and preparation, Engage and explain, Account clarification and challenge, Closure and Evaluation. It aims to get accurate information, not confessions.

On a CV: Trained in the PEACE model of investigative interviewing: planning, rapport, open questioning, challenge and evaluation

Tier 2 / Tier 3 / Tier 5 interviewing

National interviewing levels: tier 2 for serious crime, tier 3 specialist interviewers for the most serious cases or vulnerable witnesses, tier 5 interview advisers who plan interview strategy.

On a CV: Specialist investigative interviewer ([tier]) for serious cases and vulnerable witnesses

Checkable: Tier qualifications are on your training record. Name the tier exactly as recorded.

ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) interviews

Video-recorded interviews with vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, including children, following national guidance.

On a CV: Trained to interview vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, including children, to national evidential standards

Custody sergeant

The sergeant who decides whether to detain someone, protects their rights and welfare under PACE and keeps the legal custody record.

On a CV: Custody manager making lawful detention decisions and protecting the welfare and rights of up to [number] detained people at a time

PACE and Codes of Practice

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its Codes: the law on arrest, detention, searches and interviews.

On a CV: Applied the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its Codes of Practice to arrests, searches, detention and interviews

Detainee risk assessment / rousing / constant observations

Assessing and checking people in custody who may be at risk through drink, drugs, injury or mental health.

On a CV: Carried out welfare risk assessments and checks on people who were intoxicated, injured or in mental health crisis

Case file / file build

The written evidence package sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision or trial.

On a CV: Prepared prosecution case files to Crown Prosecution Service standards and deadlines

MG forms (MG3, MG5, MG6, MG11)

National prosecution forms: MG3 asks the CPS for a charging decision, MG5 is the case summary, MG6 forms are disclosure schedules and MG11 is a witness statement.

On a CV: Wrote case summaries, charging submissions and disclosure schedules for prosecutors

Disclosure / CPIA / disclosure officer

Recording and reviewing all material in an investigation and revealing it to the prosecutor under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

On a CV: Managed disclosure under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996: recording, reviewing and scheduling all material

CPS charging decisions

Working with Crown Prosecution Service lawyers who decide whether to charge.

On a CV: Worked with Crown Prosecution Service lawyers on charging decisions and case progression

Statements

Taking accurate written evidence from witnesses and victims in their own words.

On a CV: Took detailed, accurate written evidence from witnesses and victims, many of them distressed or vulnerable

Giving evidence in court

Presenting evidence under oath and being cross-examined by defence barristers.

On a CV: Gave evidence under oath at Crown and magistrates' courts and withstood cross-examination

Case progression / file quality

Making sure cases meet deadlines and standards between charge and court.

On a CV: Tracked cases against court deadlines and quality standards, chasing evidence and keeping victims and witnesses informed

Safeguarding / vulnerability

Identifying people at risk of harm and acting to protect them, with partner agencies.

On a CV: Identified risk to children and vulnerable adults and put protective measures in place with partner agencies

Domestic abuse (DA / DV) and protection notices

Responding to and investigating abuse between partners or family members, including protection notices and orders.

On a CV: Responded to and investigated domestic abuse, assessing risk and putting protection in place for victims and children

DASH / DARA risk assessment

Structured risk assessments used at domestic abuse incidents to judge the risk of serious harm.

On a CV: Completed structured risk assessments with domestic abuse victims and acted on high-risk cases the same day

MARAC

Multi-agency meetings that plan protection for victims at high risk of domestic abuse.

On a CV: Represented the police at multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARAC), agreeing safety plans with health, housing and support services

MAPPA / offender management

Managing the risk posed by sexual and violent offenders in the community, with probation and prisons.

On a CV: Managed the risk posed by [number] high-risk offenders in the community with probation and partner agencies

Careful: Never name offenders, addresses or the tools used to monitor them.

MASH (multi-agency safeguarding hub)

A team where police, social care, health and education share information to decide how to protect a child or adult.

On a CV: Worked in a multi-agency safeguarding hub, sharing information lawfully and joining child protection strategy discussions

PPU / CAIT / domestic abuse unit

Specialist units investigating child abuse, domestic abuse, rape and serious sexual offences.

On a CV: Investigated child abuse, domestic abuse and serious sexual offences with a victim-centred approach

Careful: These cases are the most identifiable. Describe the type and volume only: no dates, places, ages or details.

Clare's Law / Sarah's Law disclosures

Schemes that let the police disclose a person's history of abuse or sexual offending to someone at risk.

On a CV: Prepared lawful, proportionate risk disclosures under the national disclosure schemes

Missing persons

Finding missing people, often children or adults in crisis. Each case is graded for risk.

On a CV: Led missing person investigations, grading risk and coordinating searches and partner agencies

Mental health crisis / section 136

Responding to people in mental health crisis, including using police powers under the Mental Health Act 1983.

On a CV: Supported people in mental health crisis and worked with health professionals to reach a place of safety

Prevent

The government programme to stop people being drawn into terrorism, through safeguarding referrals.

On a CV: Handled safeguarding referrals for people at risk of radicalisation, with education and social care

AFO / ARV (authorised firearms officer)

Officers trained and authorised to carry firearms, working to strict national standards on use of force and accountability.

On a CV: Authorised firearms officer making split-second risk decisions under national standards and close legal scrutiny

Checkable: Firearms authorisation ends when you leave. Say 'authorised firearms officer [year] to [year]'.

Careful: Do not describe tactics, equipment, specific deployments or operations.

Tactical / Operational firearms commander

Commanders who authorise and direct armed deployments, recording their decisions.

On a CV: Commanded armed incidents, authorising proportionate tactics and keeping a full decision log

Firearms licensing / FEO

Assessing applications for firearm and shotgun certificates under the Firearms Act 1968, including home visits and references.

On a CV: Regulatory assessor deciding firearm and shotgun certificate applications under the Firearms Act 1968

Use of force / OST / PST

Training and practice in de-escalation, restraint and proportionate force.

On a CV: Trained in conflict management, de-escalation and proportionate restraint

Roads policing / RPU

Officers who enforce road traffic law, deal with serious collisions and disrupt criminals using the roads.

On a CV: Roads policing officer enforcing traffic law, managing serious collisions and working with highways partners

Collision investigation (FCI)

Reconstructing serious and fatal collisions to establish cause, for court and coroners.

On a CV: Forensic collision investigator reconstructing serious and fatal collisions for courts and coroners

Police driving (response, advanced, TPAC)

Graded police driving qualifications, up to advanced and pursuit-trained.

On a CV: Police advanced driver ([qualification]), trained to drive safely at speed under pressure

Checkable: Police driving authority ends when you leave. It is not a civilian licence category.

Commercial vehicle unit

Enforcement of rules on lorries, buses and goods vehicles, often with the DVSA.

On a CV: Enforced commercial vehicle and drivers' hours regulations with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Neighbourhood policing / SNT

Officers and PCSOs assigned to an area to solve long-running local problems with residents and partners.

On a CV: Community safety lead for [area], solving long-running local problems with residents, councils and businesses

Problem solving (SARA / OSARA / POP)

A structured method: scan for the problem, analyse it, respond and assess whether it worked.

On a CV: Used structured problem solving (scan, analyse, respond, assess) to fix recurring problems and measure the result

Anti-social behaviour powers

Powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 such as community protection notices, closure orders and civil injunctions.

On a CV: Used anti-social behaviour powers under the 2014 Act, from warnings to closure orders, with councils and housing providers

Partnership working / CSP

Working with councils, health, housing, schools and charities on shared problems.

On a CV: Built working relationships with councils, health, housing, schools and charities to deliver shared plans

Licensing officer (alcohol and premises)

Regulating licensed premises under the Licensing Act 2003, including objections and licence reviews.

On a CV: Licensing officer regulating licensed premises under the Licensing Act 2003, from advice to licence reviews

Community engagement / public meetings

Listening to residents and reporting back on what was done.

On a CV: Ran public meetings and engagement with residents, reporting back on priorities and progress

Response / emergency response

Officers who attend 999 calls and emergencies, often first on scene.

On a CV: Emergency responder making fast, lawful decisions at incidents ranging from road collisions to violent disorder

THRIVE / call grading

A risk model (threat, harm, risk, investigation, vulnerability, engagement) used to decide how fast and how to respond.

On a CV: Prioritised demand using a structured risk model (threat, harm, risk, vulnerability)

Force incident manager / control room supervisor

The person in charge of live incidents and resources across a force area.

On a CV: Duty manager for live incidents across [area], allocating resources and making escalation decisions

First aid / ETB

Police first aid training renewed regularly.

On a CV: Trained in emergency first aid

Checkable: Police first aid certificates may not match the civilian qualification an employer asks for. Check the certificate name and expiry date.

National Intelligence Model (NIM)

The model for gathering intelligence, assessing it and using it to decide priorities at tasking meetings.

On a CV: Used intelligence assessments to set priorities and allocate resources at regular tasking meetings

Intelligence reports / 3x5x2 grading

Recording information as intelligence and grading how reliable the source and the information are.

On a CV: Recorded and graded information for reliability and risk so it could be used lawfully

Careful: Never describe intelligence content, sources or what it led to.

Intelligence analyst / researcher

Analysing crime data, networks and patterns to produce assessments for decision makers.

On a CV: Analysed crime data and networks to produce assessments that informed operational decisions

Open source research

Lawful research using publicly available information online.

On a CV: Carried out lawful, proportionate open source research and recorded it to evidential standards

Covert policing (CHIS, surveillance, RIPA)

Covert tactics regulated by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and related law.

On a CV: Worked within the legal authorisation framework for covert investigation (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000)

Careful: Describe only that you worked to the legal authorisation framework. Never name the role precisely if it identifies covert work. Never mention sources, tactics, operations or locations.

Tutor constable / PCDA / DHEP tutor

Coaching and assessing new officers on the job until they are signed off for independent patrol, often alongside a degree programme.

On a CV: Workplace coach and assessor for new officers, building their competence and assessing them against national standards

Checkable: Your training record shows tutor or assessor courses. Name the qualification exactly (for example an assessor award) if you hold one.

Police trainer (OST, first aid, driving, IT)

Delivering mandatory or specialist training to officers and staff.

On a CV: Trainer delivering mandatory and specialist courses to groups of up to [number], with assessment and evaluation

CPD / College of Policing courses

Ongoing training and courses recorded on your training record.

On a CV: Kept skills current through College of Policing continuing professional development

Mentor / coach

Supporting colleagues' development outside line management.

On a CV: Mentored colleagues through promotion, specialist selection and career change

PDR (performance development review)

The annual and in-year performance and development review for officers and staff.

On a CV: Ran performance and development reviews and set objectives for a team of [number]

Attendance management / recuperative duties

Managing sickness absence fairly, with occupational health and reasonable adjustments.

On a CV: Managed attendance and returns to work with occupational health, including reasonable adjustments

UPP / reflective practice (RPRP)

Formal procedures for poor performance. Reflective practice is used for low-level conduct matters.

On a CV: Managed underperformance through informal support and formal procedures, documenting fairly

Wellbeing / TRiM

Peer support after traumatic incidents, using the Trauma Risk Management model.

On a CV: Trained peer supporter after traumatic incidents (Trauma Risk Management practitioner)

Federation or staff association rep

An elected representative supporting colleagues in conduct, performance and welfare matters.

On a CV: Elected employee representative supporting colleagues through conduct, performance and welfare processes

Complaint resolution / service recovery

Resolving public complaints about the service.

On a CV: Resolved complaints from the public by listening, explaining decisions and putting things right where needed

Overtime budget / cost centre

Holding and controlling a budget, usually for overtime or a unit's spending.

On a CV: Held a budget of [amount] for [purpose], approving spend and reporting variance

Checkable: Give the budget figure only if you know it. A reference can confirm you held a budget.

Duties / RMU / minimum staffing

Planning shifts and cover so enough people are on duty, despite training, leave and sickness.

On a CV: Planned rotas and cover for [number] staff across a 24/7 operation, balancing demand, leave and training

Demand management / performance data

Using data to understand demand and performance and to change how work is done.

On a CV: Used performance data to understand demand and change how the team worked

Change programme / project lead

Leading or contributing to organisational change and projects.

On a CV: Delivered [project] on time, coordinating [number] stakeholders and reporting to a project board

Procurement / contract management

Buying goods and services and managing suppliers within public procurement rules.

On a CV: Managed supplier contracts and procurement within public sector rules

Gold / Silver / Bronze command

The three tiers of incident command: strategic (gold), tactical (silver) and operational (bronze).

On a CV: Incident commander at [strategic, tactical or operational] level for [type] incidents and events

National Decision Model (NDM)

Policing's framework for making and recording decisions: information, threat and risk, powers and policy, options, action and review, with the Code of Ethics at the centre.

On a CV: Made and recorded decisions using a structured framework: information, risk, legal powers, options, action and review

JESIP / multi-agency major incidents

The joint principles police, fire and ambulance use to work together at major incidents.

On a CV: Coordinated with fire, ambulance and councils at major incidents using the joint emergency services principles (JESIP)

Public order / PSU

Officers trained to police protests, large events and disorder.

On a CV: Policed large events, protests and disorder as part of a trained public order unit

Operation order / event planning

Writing the plan for an event or operation and working with event organisers and the council's safety group.

On a CV: Wrote operational plans for events and operations, agreeing them with organisers and the council's safety advisory group

Major incident room (MIR)

The team that manages information and actions in a major investigation.

On a CV: Managed information and actions in a major investigation team to national standards

Family liaison officer (FLO)

The link between an investigation and a bereaved or affected family, gathering information and keeping them informed.

On a CV: Family liaison officer supporting bereaved families while gathering information for the investigation

Careful: Never name families, victims or cases.

Hostage and crisis negotiator

Trained negotiators who talk to people in crisis, including those threatening suicide.

On a CV: Trained crisis negotiator: calm, structured communication with people in acute crisis

Police search adviser (PolSA)

Planning and running specialist searches for people, evidence and items of concern.

On a CV: Planned and led specialist searches with risk assessments and full records

Careful: Do not describe counter-terrorism search tactics.

Dog handler / mounted / marine

Specialist operational roles with animals or boats.

On a CV: Specialist operational officer ([role]) with high standards of training, welfare and equipment care

CSI / SOCO

Staff who recover forensic evidence from scenes.

On a CV: Forensic scene examiner recovering and recording evidence to accredited standards

Counter terrorism / Special Branch

Counter terrorism and national security policing.

On a CV: Worked in national security policing (details can be discussed with a sponsoring employer)

Careful: Say no more than the unit type and dates. Do not describe operations, methods, partners or locations.

Cyber protect / fraud prevention

Advising businesses and the public on cyber security and fraud prevention.

On a CV: Gave cyber security and fraud prevention advice to businesses and community groups

PNC (Police National Computer)

The national police database of people, vehicles and records.

On a CV: Experienced user of national and local police databases, with strict data protection controls

Careful: Naming police systems adds jargon and can reveal how forces work. Describe the skill (records research, data protection) instead.

PND (Police National Database)

The national database that shares local intelligence and records between forces.

On a CV: Researched national intelligence databases lawfully and proportionately

Careful: Describe the skill, not the system.

Niche / Athena / Connect / Storm / Pronto

Force records, crime, intelligence and command-and-control systems.

On a CV: Used case management, crime recording and incident systems accurately, to national recording standards

Careful: Civilian employers do not know these names. 'Case management systems' says the same thing.

HOLMES / ViSOR

National systems for major investigations (HOLMES) and for managing sexual and violent offenders (ViSOR).

On a CV: Trained user of national major investigation and offender management systems

Careful: Do not name ViSOR or describe offender records.

Body-worn video (BWV)

Cameras worn by officers to record incidents as evidence.

On a CV: Captured and managed body-worn video evidence to evidential and data protection standards

ANPR

Number plate recognition cameras.

On a CV: Used automatic number plate recognition data lawfully to support investigations

Keep your real rank as the job title, then describe what you did in the words the target employer uses: 'investigated' rather than 'dealt with jobs', 'case files for prosecutors' rather than 'MG5s', 'risk assessment' rather than 'DASH'. Add your own numbers (caseload, team size, budget) and drop system names and operational detail. The translator does the jargon swap for you and shows CV wording for five sectors.

Yes, exactly as you held it. A reference from your force will confirm your rank and dates, so renaming 'Police Sergeant' as 'Operations Manager' looks like an inflated claim when it is checked. Put the civilian description beside it instead, for example 'Police Sergeant (team leader of 9 officers)'.

PIP2 is the College of Policing's Professionalising Investigation Programme level 2: accreditation to investigate serious and complex crime. On a civilian CV write something like 'Accredited to the College of Policing's PIP level 2 for serious and complex investigation', with the year, because most recruiters outside policing will not know the abbreviation.

Yes, on a CV you send to an employer: give the level and the dates you held it. Say 'held' rather than 'hold'. Police vetting (RV, MV) and national security clearance (CTC, SC, DV) are tied to a post and a sponsor, so they do not travel with you. On a public profile such as LinkedIn, think twice about stating a clearance level at all.

Operation names, names or initials of anyone from a case, addresses, exact incident dates, crime and log numbers, collar numbers, police system names and anything about covert sources or tactics. The confidentiality check in the tool flags these as you type.

No. The translator and the confidentiality check run in your browser. If you ask for the free AI preview, the text you pasted is sent once to write it and is not stored, logged or used to train AI.

A full CV, cover letter, LinkedIn headline and About section, three sector versions, five interview stories and a salary target, written only from what you tell us, with PDF and Word downloads. It costs £39.99 once, with 12 months' access and no subscription.