Interview: ACC Vicki Evans

Vicki Evans was previously Temporary ACC at Dyfed-Powys. She is replacing Sharn Basra, who has returned to Bedfordshire Police. In January 2018, ACC Evans transferred to Dyfed-Powys Police as Chief Superintendent of Territorial Policing, before being promoted to Temporary ACC in November 2018 with responsibility for operational policing. She led… Police Oracle talks to Cambridgeshire Constabulary's newly appointed Assistant Chief Constable, Vicki Evans about diversity, direct entry and opportunities for women in senior policing roles....

Police Scotland appoints two new ACCs from outside force

Police Scotland has appointed two new assistant chief constables choosing candidates from forces outside Scotland for the posts. The appointments were made by the Scottish Police Authority to fill an existing vacancy and as part of its succession planning for the year ahead. Judi Heaton has been a Chief Superintendent… Humberside chief superintendent and PSNI temporary ACC selected as part of succession plan ...

Recruitment training: what it is like doing the fitness test virtually?

Nottinghamshire Police’s Operation Uplift team have been working to ensure their recruitment drive continues to be ahead of schedule despite the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes allowing applicants to complete the fitness test remotely.   The force has issued guidance to trainees on how to complete the bleep test on their… Participants in Nottinghamshire Police's adapted virtual recruitment programme share their experience of taking their fitness tests remotely....

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. ...