College of Policing announces new training package for Specials

Specials will now undergo more of the same training given to first-year PC recruits. This means they will not have to repeat the training again, making it more easy, the college says, for them to join as a PC if they wish to do so. The college said: “It follows… The College of Policing has announced new training for Special Constables which will now be more closely aligned to Police Constable training to "support the recruitment drive". ...

Seven-force partnership policing degree deal with Anglia Ruskin

Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies confirmed Anglia Ruskin University will deliver the Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) from June next year for a seven-force partnership. The Seven Force Strategic Collaboration Programme have procured and will coordinate the contract between Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, Essex and Kent. The university ranked… Seven forces have joined up with a top-50 university to deliver the new policing degree. Anglia Ruskin University will deliver the PEQF across the South East....

West Midlands PCC commits to recruiting 1,000 BAME officers

The OPCC said this was not a change of policy but would “accelerate plans” to make the force look more like the communities it serves. Over the next three years West Midlands are set to grow by at least 1,200 officers, meaning 2,750 will need to be recruited to fill… West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has committed to ensuring the force recruits 1,000 new BAME officers over the next three years....

Ten years at the top

In 2018 Simon Cole was offered a five-year extension of his contract at Leicestershire by Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach. At that time he was already the UK’s longest serving police chief. This week marks his tenth year at the top of the force and he still has… Gary Mason talks to Simon Cole, the UK’s longest serving chief constable ...

Specials clock up nearly 11,000 hours in a month

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse revealed the number of hours by volunteer officers has gone up by 105% in May compared to the same period last year. According to the Home Office, Special Constables have responded to the emergency by giving extra time, including those who have been furloughed from their… Special Constables put in nearly 11,000 hours last month to help tackle the COVID-19 crisis....

Next stage in pay talks set for July

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) has told groups representing officers that it expects to make its recommendation on pay and conditions to the government before the summer recess begins in mid-July. Both sides have now presented their written and verbal evidence to the PRRB on whether the government should… An indication on next year’s pay deal will be announced by next month according to the pay review body....

More companies sign up to employee Specials programme

Business consultancy company CGI has joined the Employee Supported Policing (ESP) scheme which releases staff during working hours to volunteer as Special Constables. Other organisations to sign up to the scheme include BA, Tesco, HSBC, Vodafone, Lloyd’s of London, Ikea and the Civil Service faststream. The Met says that during… Twenty six businesses and organisations sign up to Employee Supported Policing programme ...

College of Policing to confirm online exam dates by mid-June

As revealed earlier this week, officer promotion exams for England and Wales will be online assessments which will take place in September due to concerns that lockdown measures will still need to be in place. A comprehensive overhaul and rapid investment in technology means future sergeants and inspectors will be… The College of Policing has moved to end uncertainty for officers taking promotion exams in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. ...

Skills for Justice asks first responders to take part in virus response survey

Skills for Justice is launching a national workforce survey of police and other public sector workers to help understand the critical skills required to rebuild a sustainable, productive, and flexible public sector workforce following the pandemic. Part of the survey will involve collecting good practice examples of responses to the… Research designed to collect good practice examples of response to COVID-19 after public sector forced to adapt to pandemic ‘at pace’ ...

Sussex promotes Deputy Chief Constable to new Chief

She has been Deputy Chief Constable with the force for 18 months and previously was Assistant Chief Constable for Kent Police. The recruitment process was triggered by CC York’s decision to retire, which he announced in March. At Sussex she has led the development of Tactical Enforcement Units, rural crime teams… Sussex has promoted its Deputy Chief Constable to lead the force. Jo Shiner is the preferred candidate to take over from Giles York as Chief Constable....