Northants set to double number of neighbourhood officers

The force is going from having 50 to 100 neighbourhood officers over the next 18 months, with further increases expected in the future. They are being paid for through a combination of a rise in the police precept and money from the government’s uplift funding. The force now has 1,367… Northamptonshire Police is set to double its number of neighbourhood officers in a “major investment of resources in visible, effective local crime fighting”....

Met restarts recruitment drive

In January 143 new constables joined the Met through the PCDA. Successful applicants included an athlete, a taxi driver and a prison officer. They will become fully qualified PCs around January/February 2024. The decision to freeze recruitment last year was taken after 1,369 additional officers – the Met's funded target… The Metropolitan Police has resumed its recruitment drive after hitting its target last September....

Dyfed-Powys first to graduate degree officers with two-year diploma

Eight officers with Dyfed Powys are the first in England and Wales to complete the complete the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) at the University of South Wales. With backgrounds ranging from sports management to criminology and biology, the group now hold a Graduate Diploma Professional Policing Practice. The programme… Dyfed-Powys Police is the first force in the country to pass out graduates with the new diploma in policing....

Most experienced SIO in the country receives national award

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, based out of Putney, was named Senior Investigating Officer of the year by the NPCC Homicide Working Group. The award recognises those who excel in their field of homicide and major crime investigations across UK forces. Chair, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy, presented DCI Harding… A Metropolitan Police homicide detective who has been involved in a number of high profile cases has been rewarded for his hard work and dedication with a prestigious national award....

Police ICT: a view from the frontline

Sgt Caroline Hay is a sergeant with City of London Police having transferred from the Met where she joined the service. She is very operational  – with Taser and Public Order tickets  –  but also has a first class honours degree in policing and is on the Board of the… Where do frontline officers think the answers to the service’s technology problems lie? Two officers shared their views at this week’s Police Digital Summit ...

Andy Cooke to join HMI as Inspector for northern forces

Merseyside Police announced that their chief, who had already announced he was stepping down, will be the North of England’s new inspector for policing, fire and rescue services.   His priority will be supporting Greater Manchester Police which was placed in special measures after 80,000 crimes went unrecorded. The Inspectorate assessed… Merseyside’s chief constable is joining HM Inspectorate. His first job will be helping Greater Manchester stabilise....

Highest ranking PSNI female officer to join Met as DAC

The new Deputy Assistant Commissioner to replace Lucy D’Orsi is an officer who has served in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for the whole of her career. Barbara Gray is currently assistant chief constable a position she has held since February 2017 having joined the police in 1989.… ACC Barbara Gray will replace Lucy D’Orsi who is the new chief of the BTP...

Met remembers PC Sandhu, UK's first female Asian and Sikh officer

The Met is holding a virtual event to remember her life and legacy and mark her “unique contribution to policing”. She served for two years from 1971 to 1973 when she was killed by her husband who was against her joining the Met. PC Sandhu was born to a Sikh… Today (1 February) marks 50 years since PC Karpal Kaur Sandhu joined the Metropolitan Police as the first female Asian officer in the UK, "a true pioneer and ahead of her time"....

Government meets 6,000 Uplift target two months early

Statistics from the Home Office revealed the government has passed its target to recruit 6,000 new officers two months early. Since the Uplift campaign was launched in March an additional 6,620 officers have joined forces across England and Wales. Also released were figures for the entire police workforce across England… At 6,250 new recruits, the Home Office has exceeded its target for signing up new police officers....

Merseyside PCC begins search for new chief constable

PCC Jane Kennedy has until April to appoint a new chief constable for Merseyside Police. This means that three forces in the north west of England are now looking to replace chief officers who have left or are leaving.  The closing date for applications is 5pm on 19 February, with… Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner has decided not to appoint an interim chief but to find a long term replacement for Andy Cooke within eight weeks ...