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. ...

Cleveland continue to boost number of neighbourhood officers

A total of 28 additional Cleveland Police officers will join neighbourhood policing teams from next week. This is the second round of intake, the first being around 32 officers, bringing the total to 60. There are plans for an additional 240 neighbourhood officers, including Police Community Support Officers, by summer… Cleveland Police are increasing their number of neighbourhood officers on a rolling basis. ...

New head of JPS for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire

The JPS covers all the specialist teams provided to the three forces under the collaboration arrangements: Armed Policing Unit, Civil Contingencies Unit, Dog Unit, Operational Support Unit, Major Crime Unit, Roads Policing Unit, Scientific Services Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit. ACC Sebire said: “These are very expensive units and that’s why… Bedfordshire’s Assistant Chief Constable, Jackie Sebire, has been appointed as the head of Joint Protective Services (JPS) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH)....

New police procurement company appoints £150K CEO to drive savings

The former chief procurement officer for Tata Steel has been appointed CEO of BlueLight Commercial  – the new procurement company tasked with pooling the commercial bidding power of the 43 forces in England and Wales. Lianne Deeming said the new company will develop the core success that procurement teams have… Former steel industry procurement head to prioritise savings on fleet and aviation, people and professional services...

Bedfordshire appoints new Temporary Assistant Chief Constable

T/ACC Basra started in the role yesterday (Monday 11 May) having made the move from Cambridgeshire where he was also a temporary ACC. He started his career with Bedfordshire Police joining the force in 1993. He spent six years as a response officer and another six as a Detective Constable… Bedfordshire Police appoints Sharn Basra as Temporary Assistant Chief Constable....

Promotion exams go online as some forces confirm sergeants early

The final group of candidates hoping to become inspectors with the Metropolitan Police will be interviewed on Friday following online tests. National sergeant exams are still scheduled for the traditional date of the second week in October, the College of Policing has confirmed. It followed the decision in March by… Promotion assessments are going ahead despite the COVID-19 outbreak....

College of Policing appoints diversity expert to its board

Dr Robina Shah MBE will take a lead role in supporting the development work on diversity, equality and inclusion training. She is brings experience as a non-executive director from a range of high profile organisations including the Department of Health, NHS, Ministry of Justice, General Medical Council, Health Education England,… One of the country’s leading psychologists is joining the College of Policing to advise on diversity. ...

Retention of experienced officers is a priority, Home Office says

Warnings that a shortage of long-serving officers could leave new recruits without support have been heeded, officials have claimed. It followed the announcement that the Uplift recruitment campaign was now halfway to achieving the 6,000 target for the current year despite the COVID-19 crisis.   Ministers have been under pressure… Home Office claims the rate of those leaving voluntarily before the normal retirement age is now 2%...

Interview: The county line man

On the morning Police Oracle speaks with Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, the country is well into lockdown and he is on his way to check in with some of the 20,000 frontline officers that he’s responsible for as head of operations for the Metropolitan Police.   ACC Ephgrave gives an… As Assistant Commissioner in charge of operations at the Met, Nick Ephgrave has one of the biggest jobs in policing. He speaks to Police Oracle about trying out new ideas and the regular flow of senior officer traffic between Surrey and other forces. ...