Detective shortage leads forces to target January blues for recruits

Forces across the country have used the traditional January window when people consider career changes to launch recruitment drives for detective roles. Two approaches are being made; tempting current officers to move forces or going to the wider public for direct entry training through fast-track programmes. Cheshire Constabulary is among… Forces have launched a fresh drive to recruit more detectives to make up for a shortfall in the senior ranks....

Special Constables join British Transport Police Federation

BTP Federation is welcoming Specials as members from this month (January 2021). Their membership of the staff association will be funded by BTP. BTP has 302 Specials who last year volunteered 100,702 hours. The Home Office confirmed last year the move to allow Specials to become members of the Federation,… Special Constables volunteering with British Transport Police are set to be the first in England and Wales to be represented by the Police Federation....

BTP put out banter survey to shape workplace behaviour workshops

BTP's Ethical Dilemmas workshop was rolled out to all officers and staff last year, and aims to educate officers about what is appropriate behaviour and speech and what isn't.  Trainers for the workshop, which discusses professional standards within the workplace, felt the material they were working from  – which relied… British Transport Police is holding a 'banter survey' to better inform their training on appropriate behaviour in the workplace. ...

Met begins search for DAC following Lucy D'Orsi's new role

The Metropolitan Police has gone public with its recruitment bid to fill the post of Deputy Assistant Commissioner. It follows the departure of DAC Lucy D’Orsi to become the new Chief Constable at the BTP. DAC D’Orsi was appointed last year following the retirement of Paul Crowther. The Met is… The search has begun to find a new senior member of the Met’s top team following the appointment of the new chief at the British Transport Police....

National Crime Agency launches New Year recruitment drive

From surveillance motorcyclists to social workers, the NCA is looking to bolster its ranks to increase capacity for working with enforcement partners. More than 30 vacancies are open covering both operational and support roles at sites across the country. The NCA’s requirement is for people who can demonstrate “experience and… The National Crime Agency has launched a recruitment drive to strengthen its specialist teams tackling organised crime....

Hampshire PCC looks to increase precept to pay for 50 officers

Hampshire’s PCC Michael Lane is looking to increase the policing precept again in 2021-22 to recruit an additional 50 officers on top of the 156 funded through the national uplift programme. He said an early public survey suggests that 58% of Hampshire residents support an increase in the precept for… He says last year’s investment in officer welfare gave force ‘one of lowest sickness rates in the country’...

NCA head and West Midlands chief among policing honours

Police leaders were are among those to receive honours including the head of main agency coordinating action against County Lines gangs as well as the chief of the country’s second-biggest force. The 2021 list includes a total of 49 police personnel honoured for their extraordinary contributions to policing.  The National… Officers across the ranks have had their dedication and service recognised in the traditional New Year’s Honours. The head of the National Crime Agency and a police cadet leader are among 49 to get medals....

Met reveals inspector promotion changes

The Metropolitan Police has changed the format of next year’s Inspector promotions. The application stage and written exercise has been removed.  Candidates applying for the process launching in January must hold a valid pass for the exam to be eligible to apply. The application stage has been removed, and candidates… Aspiring Met officers hoping to become inspectors won’t face a written exercise in next year’s round of promotions....

Lincolnshire goes again to Derbyshire for new CC after HR error

Chris Haward will become Lincolnshire’s new Chief Constable, moving from his current role as head of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU). The recruitment process had to be restarted after an error nearly led to disclosure of sensitive information. Embarrassingly, Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones had already announced… A second candidate has been confirmed as the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire following a disastrous recruitment error – and he comes from the same force as the first....

Dyfed Powys chief to retire next year

Mark Collins, the chief constable of Dyfed Powys Police has announced his retirement with a view to leaving his post in the Spring of next year. CC Collins was appointed to lead the force in 2016 having first served as a Special there early in his policing career in 1987… Mark Collins returned to his home force as chief having served in the Met and Bedfordshire ...