Interview: The county line man

On the morning Police Oracle speaks with Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, the country is well into lockdown and he is on his way to check in with some of the 20,000 frontline officers that he’s responsible for as head of operations for the Metropolitan Police.   ACC Ephgrave gives an… As Assistant Commissioner in charge of operations at the Met, Nick Ephgrave has one of the biggest jobs in policing. He speaks to Police Oracle about trying out new ideas and the regular flow of senior officer traffic between Surrey and other forces. ...

Derbyshire's Chief Constable announces retirement

This marks the end of 32 years in policing, having first joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1988. CC Goodman served as part of Derbyshire’s chief officer team for 13 years. He became CC in June 2017 after serving as Deputy Chief Constable and was Assistant Chief Constable prior to this. CC… Derbyshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable Peter Goodman has announced he will retire at the end of July....

New recruit training will go on despite training centre closures

The National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing confirmed that assessments of new recruits is continuing despite training centres being closed and most other police buildings having restricted access Two forces, Hampshire and West Midlands, have started piloting online assessments including vetting. Changes have also included holding interviews… Plans to recruit 20,000 new officers and their funding are secure, police leaders have confirmed. ...

Dorset recruits equality champion as new assistant chief constable

Dorset Police confirmed her promotion and transfer from Devon and Cornwall Police where she is a Chief Superintendent. The appointment followed a selection process headed by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell and Deputy Chief Constable David… One of the country’s leading equality officers has been appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable by Dorset Police. Sam de Reya will lead operations for the force....

More than 3,000 officers recruited in uplift Home Office figures show

The Home Office said these statistics show forces are on track to meet the target of 6,000 by March 2021, and 20,000 within the next three years. Figures released today (30 April) show forces recruited a total 6,435 officers from November 2019 to March 2020, including recruitment planned before the… Forces across England and Wales have recruited an additional 3,005 officers since the launch of the government’s 20,000 uplift last September. ...

Home Office to recruit new independent reviewer of Prevent

The Home Office is to recruit a new Independent Reviewer of the Prevent counter radicalisation strategy after it was forced to stand down its initial choice for the role following a legal challenge by a human rights group last year. The future of the independent review which was announced during… New appointment to be made after legal challenge removed first choice who was former a reviewer of terrorism legislation ...

Northamptonshire launches direct entry detective scheme

For the first time Northamptonshire Police has launched a direct entry detective scheme to try and attract more specialist investigators. The Accelerated Detective Pathway (APD) scheme is a two year programme open to anyone with a 2:2 degree. Last year Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services… Force judged ‘inadequate’ at investigating crime in PEEL assessment looks to recruit ‘credible detectives’ to investigate complex cases ...

Specials will be allowed to join the Fed, Home Office confirms

The commitment by the Home Office follows the call for the law to be changed by Federation Chairman John Apter in his interview with Police Oracle. Under current legislation, the 11,690 Special Constables in England and Wales are not allowed to be members. Instead, the Home Office provides free access… Special Constables will be allowed to join the Police Federation as part of recognition of their contingency work during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Home Office has confirmed....

Treasury says returning officers will not have pensions docked

The Treasury has written to the Policing Minister Kit Malthouse confirming that officers who have come out of retirement to re-join their forces to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic will not be financially penalised. John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, confirmed that the changes will scrap rules that normally… Tax charge scrapped for pension income for recently retired officers aged between 50 and 55 for limited period ...

Two forces appoint new ACCs

Suffolk Constabulary revealed it has poached Rob Jones from the Metropolitan Police and Warwickshire Police announced Alex Franklin-Smith has been confirmed in post after working as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable. Both will lead on local policing. The two promotions are of people who have experience outside of the constabularies and… Suffolk and Warwickshire have announced new Assistant Chief Constables....