#CelebratingPoliceStaff – Shining a spotlight on the roles behind the headlines

You will have seen the headlines from high-profile court cases, the sentencings of organised crime groups, murderers, and rapists.

You may have noticed the senior police officers referring to the team of people who help bring about such justice, but have you ever thought about the roles they do?

We caught up with Senior Intelligence Analyst, Kirsty Morgan, about the part she and her team play in Keeping South Wales Safe.

“I’ve been in this role for about six years. My background has very little to do with policing, in fact my degree was in Early Childhood Studies and I previously worked with third sector organisations. But our role is less about having an in-depth knowledge of policing, and more about having that natural ability to put together information and identify patterns and trends.

“Intelligence analysts provide interpretation of very large data sets from a range of sources such as police systems, communications and internet data, vehicle data and CCTV. We regularly participate in briefings where we are called upon to give an informed opinion on what is happening and any gaps in understanding that need to be filled for a successful prosecution to take place. We are often called upon to present, explain and interpret the data in court proceedings too.

“I started working with SWP as an intelligence analyst in what was then known as Central BCU, which covered the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, as an intelligence analyst on a division you could be working on anything from sexual assault data, to volume crime like burglaries, any area of criminality really.

“One of my first jobs was investigating an Organised Crime Group, which was obviously fascinating and a real eye-opener. Within a year of starting, I had seen that investigation through from start to end and had to give evidence in court.

“As a senior intelligence analyst, I now manage a team of forcewide analysts supporting a number of departments across the force including the Major Crime Team. The investigations are often really complex so while we’re police staff we really become a part of the team and have to get to know them and the case well.

“It can be challenging, time-consuming work – the behind-the-scenes bits that the public often aren’t aware of. 

“One of my team, for example, was recently involved in a blackmail and kidnap case which required the production of more than 100 exhibits and around 80 statements. It took three years to conclude, and the analyst involved played a pivotal role throughout the investigation, beginning in the very early stages when the report was first received right up to the final trial, when the suspects received a combined total of over 200 years’ imprisonment.

“It’s such an interesting and exciting role, and there’s so much variety which both sparks and keeps your interest. To know that you’ve helped identify key suspects or witnesses that aide the development of the investigation and later help to secure a conviction, is incredibly rewarding.

“If you’d have asked me six years ago if I was going to be an intelligence analyst for the police, I first of all would have said “what’s that?!” and second of all I wouldn’t have thought I’d have the skills to be able to do it. I’m so glad my career has followed this path and that I am able to be part of such an interesting profession.”