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Digital Media Investigator

Public Order Public Safety — Authorised Professional Practice

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Summary

Digital Media Investigators (DMIs) play a crucial role in supporting public order public safety (POPS) events and operations that demand specialized digital investigative assistance. They can assist during real-time spontaneous events and subsequent investigations. A DMI should be appointed by the POPS commander to help develop a digital strategy that maximizes the effectiveness of digital media in achieving operable objectives. Early liaison between the POPS commander and the DMI is critical to minimize potential data loss and enhance investigative opportunities. Officers are advised to refer to the 'Extraction of material from digital devices APP' for guidance on intelligence gathering and investigative processes where necessary.

Key principles

  • 1DMIs support real-time POPS events and investigations.
  • 2Appointment by the POPS commander is essential for operations.
  • 3Collaboration on a digital strategy is key.
  • 4Early engagement with DMIs minimizes data loss.
  • 5Use of digital media is crucial for operational success.

Full guidance

This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.

Public order public safety (POPS) commanders should appoint a digital media investigator (DMI) to support POPS events and operations that require specialist digital investigative assistance.

DMIs can assist and advise in support of real-time spontaneous POPS events and operations, as well as any subsequent investigations.

DMIs should support the development of a digital strategy with a POPS commander to reach objectives for how digital media can support the POPS operation.

POPS commanders should liaise with the DMI at the earliest opportunity to minimise potential data loss and maximise investigative opportunities.

Additional supporting resources include the following on College Learn (you will need to log in).

Forces should refer to the Extraction of material from digital devices APP , where this is required as part of any intelligence gathering function or from an investigative perspective.

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Reproduced from the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as captured on 2026-06-27. APP is amended over time — check the source link below for the current version. This is a reference, not operational authorisation.

APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice and is updated over time. For the current, official version — including any operational detail not reproduced here — go direct.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.