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Superintendent ‘full of pride’ as

daughter begins detective training

birthday, and she reveals telling him was a Proud father and Superintendent Phil Having spent 28 years in the Force, Phil
“very emotional moment”. Asquith says he is full of pride as his explained that 22 of those were as
“I was so excited to try my uniform on daughter begins her detective training detective, with him leaving that role
for the first time. That was such a proud with the same Force where he has spent following his recent promotion to
moment,” she says. almost 30 years working. superintendent.
“I’m a very patriotic person. As cheesy as While Phil prepares to retire in two “I’ve enjoyed being a detective more
it sounds, I’m proud of everything this years’ time, his daughter Amelia hopes to than any other role I’ve had,” he added,
country achieves and that empowers the launch her career as a detective, having “I’ve experienced a whole raft of stuff and
idea of me wanting to serve the people.” recently began training as part of the it’s shown me that your career in the
Recognising that she would be naïve to Degree Holder Entry Programme, the first police can go in any direction.
head into this course with rose-tinted of its kind at West Midlands Police. “This is my first time back in uniform
glasses on, she says she anticipates the role Amelia (23) is one of the first ever for almost 20 years. I’m excited to see
will come with its challenges. students to be part of the two-year course, what’s to come. The way I see it, change is
“I’m trying to take each day as it comes which has been designed for aspiring always going to happen, there’s no point
and I try not to let my mind dwell on the detectives who already hold a degree. worrying about it and, instead, you should
what ifs, because that’s dangerous territory. “Like every parent, who has seen what grab it with both hands.
I know the risks that come with the job but I’ve seen, I was initially full of “What I do know is, if you put the
in my opinion, the only fear is fear itself,” she apprehension when Amelia told me she effort in, you can get anywhere you want
explains. wanted to be a detective,” said Phil, who in life.”
Admitting she is “always eager to learn”, joined the police back in 1994. Phil said that he believes the digital
Amelia says she is “constantly trying to “A former officer and friend of mine skills that young recruits bring with them,
better” herself. said to Amelia that in the police you have complements the knowledge that
“I’m really enjoying the course so far,” she to be prepared to run towards someone experienced officers have.
added. who might punch you in the face and “I always say I have a ‘copper’s nose’,
“I’m sure there will be some bumps in that’s exactly it. I know the risks that come which means I can spot if someone is
the road along the way but that is absolutely with the job and I know just how shifty straightaway. But when it comes to
fine.” dangerous it can be. I wanted to try to all that cyber stuff, that’s where I struggle,”
shield her from that. he explained.
“But, once Amelia has explained her “I don’t understand social media at all
reasons for wanting to join the police, of but the younger officers, they can’t seem
course, I was full of pride for her. to live without it.
“She has always been inquisitive and “We can all share our experience, to
seeing me work in the police obviously make us stronger and deliver the best
ignited a spark in her.” service.”
PCSO turned student

detective hopes to grow

career in force

“But being a detective will tick a lot of “And, in some instances, we would go
Sophie Stevens. boxes for me. And having spoken to my to people’s houses, and we would be the
n ambitious Police Community sergeant, I realised that this was an first person they would have seen in ages.
Support Officer (PCSO) who joined opportunity for me to really get my teeth It was sometimes emotional – just
Athe Force in 2020 is one of the first into something in the Force. because we’re in the police, we’re still
ever students to enrol into a brand-new “I think I will be able to use a lot that I human.”
two-year detective programme at West learnt in my degree, as well as the skills Sophie says being a PCSO has
Midlands Police. and knowledge I have gained during my definitely helped her with her confidence
Sophie Stevens is almost a month into time as a PCSO.” but admits that she is apprehensive
the Degree Holder Entry Programme, a Sophie joined the police in January about some of the challenges she might
course designed specifically for those who 2020, just a few months before the world face as a detective.
have previously gained a degree. went into lockdown due to the coronavirus “My fear is seeing my first dead body
The programme comes almost two pandemic. – I’ve luckily not had to see one yet, even
years after Sophie joined the Force, “Covid has affected everyone though I’ve been with the Force for 18
something she dreamt of since she was differently,” said Sophie, “The past 18 months now.
just a young girl. months weren’t as I expected. You couldn’t “I’m excited about training but I don’t
“I’d always wanted to be in the police, prepare for the challenges we faced. think you can teach everything in the
since I was little but being a detective had “People’s freedom was taken out of classroom and I’m a practical, visual
never really crossed my mind,” said Sophie, their hands. We, as officers, had to adapt learner, so I can’t wait to finally put my
whose degree is in sociology. how we dealt with people. uniform on and get out there.”

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