Finance teams begin training ready for new efficiency demands

Finance teams have begun a new programme backed by the National Police Chefs’ Council to enable them to meet increasing demands for efficiencies. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the official body that oversees force finance, confirmed the launch of the latest stage of Achieving Finance Excellence… Finance teams in 39 forces have signed up to a new training programme to develop the next generation of finance leaders....

Life after the job: ‘I know I’m one of the lucky few’

I actually had a great career and some amazing roles and consider myself to be incredibly lucky. That said, I did have some really low points, saw and dealt with incidents that haunt me even now, and on a number of occasions, I questioned what I was doing, and why,… Like many officers after 30 years’ service, Andy Labrum was struggling to figure out how to translate his skills and experience to a new role. In the first of a new regular column he explains how he got there and what inspired him to help other officers in a similar position ...

Tributes to Britain’s first black female officer who has died aged 83

Ms Allen, who joined the Met Police in 1968 aged 29, making her the first black female police officer in the force and the UK, died at her family home in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday (5 July). Ms Allen was working as a nurse at Croydon’s Queens Hospital when… Sislin Fay Allen was described by the Met Commissioner as “a pioneer of her time and an inspiration for many” while former Met superintendent Leroy Logan called her a “remarkable” woman....

College's degree programme at odds with efforts to diversify, says Supt

The College of Policing is closing the Initial Policing Learning and Development Program (IPLDP), claiming it no longer prepares officers for today’s policing. The Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) intends to professionalise the service by making it a requirement for a recruit to either have a degree or obtain one… End of IPLDP predicted by one force to reduce successful BAME applicants by 90 per cent. ...

Interview: the loss of IPLDP during a changing workforce

Nottinghamshire's Superintendent Sukesh Verma has spoken out against the college's degree programme, saying policing has a long way to go on diversity – something he feels the exclusivity of a degree requirement will only set back.  Supt Verma was the lead for Operation Uplift and in November last year he… The make-up of recruits via the degree programme is again under the spotlight as Superintendent Sukesh Verma tells Police Oracle how his force and others will be impacted by the loss of IPLDP. ...

Uplift gives PSNI diversity boost

The Police Service of Northern Ireland could make a major improvement in its religious and gender balance, its Chief Constable has revealed. In an update to the Policing Board, CC Simon Byrne revealed the recruitment campaign has not only attracted thousands of applications but also received them from across the… The recruitment drive in Northern Ireland looks set to significantly improve diversity....

Cambridgeshire welcomes the force’s first wellbeing dog

Any department or individual in Cambridgeshire Constabulary who has gone through, or is experiencing, traumatic or challenging events can bid for time with Holly. She will come with either owner PC Paul Roe or Inspector Paul Law, who are both trained wellbeing champions. In May Oscar Kilo launched a wellbeing… Six-year-old Labrador Holly has finished her training and is ready to bring some 'paw-sitivity' to her colleagues....

Interview: Debbie Tedds Warwickshire's new chief

Debbie Tedds today (1 July) becomes the new Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police. She takes over from outgoing Chief Constable Martin Jelley who retired yesterday (Wednesday, June 30) after six years leading the force. When CC Tedds joined Warwickshire in 1989 she was the only female on the shift, and… Warwickshire's new chief constable speaks to Police Oracle as she takes over leadership today of a force she has been with for 32 years...

Essex Deputy Chief Constable to become new chief of West Mercia

 DCC Pippa Mills who led the initial response to the discovery of 39 men, women and children inside a lorry trailer in Essex in October 2019 is the preferred candidate as the new chief constable of West Mercia, She replaces Chief Constable Anthony Bangham who retires in September. Her selection… Pippa Mills began her career in the Met before transferring to Essex ...

BTP promotion board process causes upset among applicants

Chair of the BTP Federation, Nigel Goodband, said the Federation came under fire from disgruntled applicants after the chief opened up applications for promotion to sergeant to another 100 officers, reducing their chances and delaying their results.  At first a closing date meant 100 qualified officers missed their chance to… BTP officers have expressed frustration over the fairness of the sergeant promotion board process after a closing date error meant the pool of applicants was doubled....