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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....

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 ...