Third largest BAME force highlights importance of mentoring

Bedfordshire has the third highest proportion of BAME officers in the country. “We've got probably one of the most reflective forces nationally in relation to diversity,” said Det C/Supt. Thomas. “We are doing well but we can always do better.” Two Bedfordshire officers who drove forward work to improve diversity… Detective Chief Superintendent Karena Thomas is the force’s People and Workforce Development lead. She championed the value of mentoring those who are under-represented in policing....

First webinar to discuss link between sport and officer wellbeing

TeamPolice will be holding a series of webinars over the next six months to debate and promote the importance of sport to officers’ overall health and wellbeing. It is working closely with Police Sport UK (PSUK) and sponsor partners who also want to support the service. The aim is to get… Event including input by three chiefs will hear from forces pioneering surf therapy to combat PTSD...

NPCC hiring new role of Chief Scientific Advisor

The role will report directly to the Chair of the NPCC and will provide independent scientific advice to the policing service and will advise on emerging research and innovation to advise police chiefs on strategic opportunities and risks. The CSA will help policing “underpin decisions with evidence, science and technology”.… The National Police Chiefs’ Council is hiring a Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) as "resident expert on the use of science and technology in the policing sector"....

Lincolnshire re-starts search for chief after admin error

Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones has halted plans to confirm Derbyshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Paul Gibson as his new Chief Constable. The force is starting again to find the replacement for Bill Skelly after an administrative error put confidentiality at risk. Police Oracle understands that the problem does not… Lincolnshire is re-starting its Chief Constable recruitment process after an error nearly led to disclosure of sensitive information....

First recruits from fast-track detective scheme join Sussex

The 19 new officers are amongst the first nationally to undertake the intensive two-year Detective Constable Degree-Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) which offers specialist training in investigations.  The programme brings together practice and theory with "real world experience" in the workplace and learning based on the national curriculum which is assessed… The first trainees on Sussex Police’s new fast-track detective development programme joined the force this week....

Interview: ‘Some of the best cops I worked with didn’t have a degree’

Supt Sukesh Verma has some interesting ideas about recruitment in the uplift. University educated with a degree in politics he highlights the mix of people required to make a police force work really effectively. His father was a superintendent and when Sukesh left university he joined Notts on an accelerated… The police degree system will not move the dial on BAME recruitment according to Nottinghamshire Superintendent Sukesh Verma. He tells Gary Mason why...

Federation warns of funding gap over Specials membership

The Police Federation says it is unable to absorb the cost of representing thousands of Specials who carry out unpaid work for forces across the country. Dave Bamber, the Fed’s lead for recruitment, training and development, told Police Oracle: “Money is the only issue. We can’t offer everything for free. It’s… Plans to enable Special Constables to join the Police Federation have hit a stumbling block over who pays for their membership....

Mentoring: a career pathfinder

Throughout his long policing career Ricky Fields has sat on promotion boards on both sides of the table as an applicant and a board member. “I don’t think any process is infallible,” he says. “But you turn up on the day and hopefully give your best performance and you need… A former Staffordshire superintendent will be one of the mentors on a new scheme aimed at helping officers from under-represented groups achieve their potential in the service. He tells Gary Mason how mentoring influenced his own career ...

South Wales chief leaves force to join the Met as assistant commissioner

Matt Jukes, the chief constable of South Wales Police is moving to the Met as Assistant Commissioner following the retirement of Mark Simmons. He is expected to take up his appointment in November.  Initially, and for a limited period, he will provide leadership to the Met’s transformation portfolio following the… Matt Jukes to initially lead Met’s transformation portfolio from November...

Staff member joins regulars with father’s old collar number

A long serving South Yorkshire Police staff member who has worked in call handling, custody and then as a PCSO has become a regular officer and been given her father’s collar number. PC 1820 Michelle Phillips has worked for South Yorkshire Police for 17 years, initially in the force's communications… PC Michelle Phillips has worked as a call handler, in custody and as a PCSO ...