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 ...

Police sport fundraising body secures £348k from National Lottery

In partnership with Sport England, and with £348k of funding from the National Lottery, TeamPolice has launched a pilot programme in four forces to hold a series of activities and sporting events for officers and their families designed to improve their fitness and wellbeing.   Using police internal systems participants will… Funds will be used for pilot scheme in four forces to hold series of activities for officers and their families ...

Dyfed-Powys chief to become Commissioner of Virgin Islands force

Mark Collins is set to take over as the new Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police in April. Mr Collins was due to retire after four years as the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police but surprised colleagues with the announcement that he is to take on the job of… The retiring Chief of Dyfed-Powys will head up the islands' police force and help tackle the growth in serious organised crime....

Merseyside's chief constable Andy Cooke to retire

He will leave the force in April 2021 and is to take up a new appointment. PCC Jane Kennedy paid tribute to him for his "exemplary" service to Merseyside and to the police service here for more than 35 years, having joined Merseyside Police in 1985. CC Cooke has been… Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner has announced today that Andy Cooke has declined her offer to extend his contract and will retire as chief constable of Merseyside Police....