It’s the job of a mobile surveillance officer (MSO) to watch an individual or location closely, while gathering potentially vital information – without ever standing out from the crowd.
This is why MI5 is keen to recruit the kind of people who blend in with the diverse communities in and around London. “A diverse team is vital,” reads a job description issued by MI5. The agency is also particularly keen to hire women and people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. As MI5’s website states: “There’s no definitive ‘type’.”
Counter-terrorism police say there are hundreds of live counter-terrorism investigations at any time, and threats to the UK are many and varied – from rising numbers of cybersecurity attacks to espionage – and MI5 needs to be poised to thwart them. Since the terrorist attack on Westminster in March 2017, a further 10 terror attacks have been prevented in the UK, according to MI5.
MSOs are the eyes and ears on the ground, responding to intelligence gathered by specialist teams within MI5. But what does an MSO actually do? Day-to-day work is far from ordinary – it’s complex, and can be physically and mentally demanding at times. An officer might follow a potential subject of interest by car, bus, train, tube or on foot, secretly gathering details, however mundane, that could further investigations. Blending in and never attracting attention is key – being “just another person in the crowd”, in the words of the agency. Your observations may come to nothing, but they could help MI5 discover crucial information about an investigation.
“While the range of work will be hugely varied, one thing remains the same – the supportive network that you’ll always be able to rely on,” says an MI5 statement. MSOs work in close-knit teams, “so it’s definitely not a lonely role”. Officers will be required to collaborate with colleagues – be it other MSOs or others in roles across the organisation. Being an MSO isn’t dangerous, says the agency. “You have a huge network behind you and our teams research every situation to eliminate any potential risks.”
And an unusual job requires a set of skills that is far from average. MSOs need to have an exceptionally sharp eye and remain highly aware, spotting the kind of details others might overlook. They also might have to make quick decisions from time to time, and fall back on their initiative if the situation changes. “While you’ll adapt to situations quickly, you’ll also have a huge amount of patience,” reads the agency statement. “Things can happen fast in this role. You’ll need to be able to make sound judgements on the spur of the moment.”
Observing a subject of interest might require officers to drive – in and outside London, day and night – so confidence behind the wheel, with at least three years’ driving experience, is essential. If this sounds alarming, don’t worry, potential MSOs will be trained to police driving standards. Map work is important too, as you may be required to do some on-the-spot navigating; again, training will help consolidate these skills. Although much work is London-based, officers might be required to travel around the UK, sometimes being away for up to a week at a time.
Sometimes it will be necessary to follow someone on foot, and officers could find themselves on the move all day, so you need to be reasonably fit, although you’re unlikely to be sprinting through the streets like on TV! In fact, officers are more likely to find themselves needing to stay in one place for long periods – patience in surveillance is most definitely a virtue. Confidence with technology is important. Typically, MSOs will need to operate various pieces of communications equipment and IT systems, although there is full training.
One quality that lends itself to surveillance work is an ability to get on with people from any background. You will need to be able to fit in anywhere and talk to anyone. And MI5 is clear, owing to the sensitivity of the work, that discretion is vital.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a job that involves some unusual working hours, so recruits need to have a certain level of flexibility – shift work and some weekend work come with the territory. However, you will know your shift pattern well in advance so you are able to balance your personal and family commitments.
You don’t need any experience to do the role, MI5 will teach you everything you need to know. Staff will be well equipped and well trained to ensure they remain safe. Candidates who pass the first round of assessments will be invited for a series of briefings, intensive training and further assessments.
“Once you start the role, you will be assigned a one-to-one mentor who will be an experienced officer,” says the agency. “They will help you complete your specialist training and will support you for at least six months as you settle into the role.”
If successful, training continues for the following two to three years. People who have been MSOs have previously progressed to managerial roles, others to planning or jobs linked to technology. “It’s a complex task,” says MI5, “which is why we need the country’s best.”
For more information and to apply, please visit mi5.gov.uk/careers.
