Tributes to Britain’s first black female officer who has died aged 83

Ms Allen, who joined the Met Police in 1968 aged 29, making her the first black female police officer in the force and the UK, died at her family home in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday (5 July). Ms Allen was working as a nurse at Croydon’s Queens Hospital when… Sislin Fay Allen was described by the Met Commissioner as “a pioneer of her time and an inspiration for many” while former Met superintendent Leroy Logan called her a “remarkable” woman....

College's degree programme at odds with efforts to diversify, says Supt

The College of Policing is closing the Initial Policing Learning and Development Program (IPLDP), claiming it no longer prepares officers for today’s policing. The Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) intends to professionalise the service by making it a requirement for a recruit to either have a degree or obtain one… End of IPLDP predicted by one force to reduce successful BAME applicants by 90 per cent. ...

Interview: the loss of IPLDP during a changing workforce

Nottinghamshire's Superintendent Sukesh Verma has spoken out against the college's degree programme, saying policing has a long way to go on diversity – something he feels the exclusivity of a degree requirement will only set back.  Supt Verma was the lead for Operation Uplift and in November last year he… The make-up of recruits via the degree programme is again under the spotlight as Superintendent Sukesh Verma tells Police Oracle how his force and others will be impacted by the loss of IPLDP. ...

Uplift gives PSNI diversity boost

The Police Service of Northern Ireland could make a major improvement in its religious and gender balance, its Chief Constable has revealed. In an update to the Policing Board, CC Simon Byrne revealed the recruitment campaign has not only attracted thousands of applications but also received them from across the… The recruitment drive in Northern Ireland looks set to significantly improve diversity....

Cambridgeshire welcomes the force’s first wellbeing dog

Any department or individual in Cambridgeshire Constabulary who has gone through, or is experiencing, traumatic or challenging events can bid for time with Holly. She will come with either owner PC Paul Roe or Inspector Paul Law, who are both trained wellbeing champions. In May Oscar Kilo launched a wellbeing… Six-year-old Labrador Holly has finished her training and is ready to bring some 'paw-sitivity' to her colleagues....

Interview: Debbie Tedds Warwickshire's new chief

Debbie Tedds today (1 July) becomes the new Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police. She takes over from outgoing Chief Constable Martin Jelley who retired yesterday (Wednesday, June 30) after six years leading the force. When CC Tedds joined Warwickshire in 1989 she was the only female on the shift, and… Warwickshire's new chief constable speaks to Police Oracle as she takes over leadership today of a force she has been with for 32 years...

Essex Deputy Chief Constable to become new chief of West Mercia

 DCC Pippa Mills who led the initial response to the discovery of 39 men, women and children inside a lorry trailer in Essex in October 2019 is the preferred candidate as the new chief constable of West Mercia, She replaces Chief Constable Anthony Bangham who retires in September. Her selection… Pippa Mills began her career in the Met before transferring to Essex ...

BTP promotion board process causes upset among applicants

Chair of the BTP Federation, Nigel Goodband, said the Federation came under fire from disgruntled applicants after the chief opened up applications for promotion to sergeant to another 100 officers, reducing their chances and delaying their results.  At first a closing date meant 100 qualified officers missed their chance to… BTP officers have expressed frustration over the fairness of the sergeant promotion board process after a closing date error meant the pool of applicants was doubled....

Misogyny in promotion process due to part-time working, says panel

Fifteen years ago Ms Hawkins was promoted as a part-time Inspector in Norfolk. Since then only one other part time female officer had been promoted to the same rank, she told the Federation's annual conference.  “It is difficult particularly if you've got children and caring responsibilities," she said. "There's this… End the misogyny in promotion process by giving flexible workers more opportunities, says Branch Secretary of Norfolk Federation Sam Hawkins....

Warwickshire brings female Chief Constable tally to eleven

The force’s Police and Crime commissioner announced Debbie Tedds as his preferred choice to lead the force. She is currently Temporary Deputy Chief Constable with Warwickshire. Subject to crime panel confirmation, Ms Tedds will replace Martin Jelley who is retiring at the end of the month. She will be the… Two records are about to be set with the appointment of a female Chief Constable for Warwickshire....