New recruit training will go on despite training centre closures

The National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing confirmed that assessments of new recruits is continuing despite training centres being closed and most other police buildings having restricted access Two forces, Hampshire and West Midlands, have started piloting online assessments including vetting. Changes have also included holding interviews… Plans to recruit 20,000 new officers and their funding are secure, police leaders have confirmed. ...

Dorset recruits equality champion as new assistant chief constable

Dorset Police confirmed her promotion and transfer from Devon and Cornwall Police where she is a Chief Superintendent. The appointment followed a selection process headed by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell and Deputy Chief Constable David… One of the country’s leading equality officers has been appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable by Dorset Police. Sam de Reya will lead operations for the force....

More than 3,000 officers recruited in uplift Home Office figures show

The Home Office said these statistics show forces are on track to meet the target of 6,000 by March 2021, and 20,000 within the next three years. Figures released today (30 April) show forces recruited a total 6,435 officers from November 2019 to March 2020, including recruitment planned before the… Forces across England and Wales have recruited an additional 3,005 officers since the launch of the government’s 20,000 uplift last September. ...

Home Office to recruit new independent reviewer of Prevent

The Home Office is to recruit a new Independent Reviewer of the Prevent counter radicalisation strategy after it was forced to stand down its initial choice for the role following a legal challenge by a human rights group last year. The future of the independent review which was announced during… New appointment to be made after legal challenge removed first choice who was former a reviewer of terrorism legislation ...

Northamptonshire launches direct entry detective scheme

For the first time Northamptonshire Police has launched a direct entry detective scheme to try and attract more specialist investigators. The Accelerated Detective Pathway (APD) scheme is a two year programme open to anyone with a 2:2 degree. Last year Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services… Force judged ‘inadequate’ at investigating crime in PEEL assessment looks to recruit ‘credible detectives’ to investigate complex cases ...

Specials will be allowed to join the Fed, Home Office confirms

The commitment by the Home Office follows the call for the law to be changed by Federation Chairman John Apter in his interview with Police Oracle. Under current legislation, the 11,690 Special Constables in England and Wales are not allowed to be members. Instead, the Home Office provides free access… Special Constables will be allowed to join the Police Federation as part of recognition of their contingency work during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Home Office has confirmed....

Treasury says returning officers will not have pensions docked

The Treasury has written to the Policing Minister Kit Malthouse confirming that officers who have come out of retirement to re-join their forces to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic will not be financially penalised. John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, confirmed that the changes will scrap rules that normally… Tax charge scrapped for pension income for recently retired officers aged between 50 and 55 for limited period ...

Two forces appoint new ACCs

Suffolk Constabulary revealed it has poached Rob Jones from the Metropolitan Police and Warwickshire Police announced Alex Franklin-Smith has been confirmed in post after working as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable. Both will lead on local policing. The two promotions are of people who have experience outside of the constabularies and… Suffolk and Warwickshire have announced new Assistant Chief Constables....

PEQF: myths and mixed messages

The College of Policing is imposing the PEQF requirement on all forces, which means new recruits must already hold a degree or be willing to study for one on joining. This has created new entry routes that combine degree study and operational training through apprenticeship schemes. Policing lecturers from Staffordshire,… A webinar on officer degrees, hosted by the consultancy company Bluelight, discussed with policing academics from across the country the merits and myths of the Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF). ...

Dyfed-Powys appoints third female officer to command team

T/ACC Auckland joined Gwent Police as Chief Superintendent in 2015 and was appointed as the force’s Temporary Assistant Chief Constable in January 2017. She started her policing career with Gloucestershire Constabulary in 1994 and worked predominantly in uniform roles for the next ten years, commanding BCUs and leading the force… Dyfed-Powys Police has appointed Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Emma Auckland as their new Assistant Chief Constable....