Comment: what is the problem with direct entry?

We are painfully short of detectives on a national level. A survey conducted in Suffolk Police found that an effective drop in salary coupled with increased specialism requirements, training and studying, responsibility and severity of cases is just not an attractive combination when a uniformed cop considers becoming a detective.… You don’t have to have rolled around on the floor with strangers to be a good detective argues Dr Susanne Knabe-Nicol...

Vision on: the future of training and Continuous Professional Development

The COVID-19 outbreak raised a lot of issues for police forces very quickly and professional development was one of them. The immediate risk was for Sergeant exam candidates who had travelled across the South East to sit their test at Alexandra Palace in London. The assessment was pulled the night… Cancelled promotion exams and shortened programmes for new recruits. Right because of lockdown but not a long-term solution, says Dave Bamber the Fed’s Professional Development lead....

West Midlands appoints new Deputy Chief Constable

ACC Jardine will be replacing Louisa Rolfe, who is joining the Met as Assistant Commissioner next month. ACC Jardine previously spent 25 years with Greater Manchester Police and gained some initial experience as an ACC on secondment with Northumbria Police. She helped lead the force following the Manchester Arena terror… West Midlands has announced Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine as their new Deputy Chief Constable....

Direct entry recruitment organisation hit by phishing attack

The Police Now direct entry recruitment organisation is conducting an investigation into a phishing attack on its site affecting potentially 62,000 email addresses belonging to those interested in enrolling on its graduate detective programme. Police Now, which works with 30 forces across England and Wales, was targeted by a phishing… Police Now charity launches investigation and notification scheme involving 62,000 email addresses ...

Career detective appointed new Wiltshire assistant chief constable

The former deputy national coordinator of Operation Hydrant – the cross force historical child sexual abuse inquiry  – has been appointed assistant chief constable of Wilishire Police. Detective Superintendent Smith has worked for the force for 21 years, joining in 1999. She has also undertaken the role of Community Safety Inspector… Wiltshire Police has appointed Detective Superintendent Deb Smith as their new Assistant Chief Constable....

Direct entry superintendent returns to her first force as ACC

ACC Blyth is currently serving the same role with Wiltshire Police. She started her policing career as a direct-entry Superintendent with Hampshire in November 2016 in the role of District Commander for Portsmouth. She was appointed to Wiltshire ACC in 2019 after only three years in policing and is the… Hampshire Constabulary has appointed Maggie Blyth as their new Assistant Chief Constable - the first direct entry superintendent to be appointed to chief officer rank ...

Interview: the policing priest

What did you become first, an officer or a priest? I have been a police officer for nearly 30 years. I experienced a calling to Ministry around the 20 year mark. Although I am sure the seeds had been sown much earlier. Are there any similarities between the two roles?… Rob Findlow, a Greater Manchester Police Inspector who is also an ordained Anglican Priest, tells Police Oracle the two jobs are not as different as you might think. ...

Cleveland continue to boost number of neighbourhood officers

A total of 28 additional Cleveland Police officers will join neighbourhood policing teams from next week. This is the second round of intake, the first being around 32 officers, bringing the total to 60. There are plans for an additional 240 neighbourhood officers, including Police Community Support Officers, by summer… Cleveland Police are increasing their number of neighbourhood officers on a rolling basis. ...

New head of JPS for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire

The JPS covers all the specialist teams provided to the three forces under the collaboration arrangements: Armed Policing Unit, Civil Contingencies Unit, Dog Unit, Operational Support Unit, Major Crime Unit, Roads Policing Unit, Scientific Services Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit. ACC Sebire said: “These are very expensive units and that’s why… Bedfordshire’s Assistant Chief Constable, Jackie Sebire, has been appointed as the head of Joint Protective Services (JPS) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH)....

New police procurement company appoints £150K CEO to drive savings

The former chief procurement officer for Tata Steel has been appointed CEO of BlueLight Commercial  – the new procurement company tasked with pooling the commercial bidding power of the 43 forces in England and Wales. Lianne Deeming said the new company will develop the core success that procurement teams have… Former steel industry procurement head to prioritise savings on fleet and aviation, people and professional services...