Page 10 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip_Neat

Professional development

Study period extended for

Force’s trainee detectives

rainee detectives within the Force are service to our communities. While altering the current timelines
now going to be given longer to study “This all takes its toll and the high level helps all candidates, it also gives the Force an
Tbefore taking their National of revision needed to pass the NIE suffers added financial benefit.
Investigating Exam (NIE). meaning staff feel the need to very Currently, staff who fail the exam in
The Force has responded to concerns reluctantly withdraw from the exam. This November have to re-take it in March which
that trainees were being put under huge new approach is far more inclusive to all our means they have to be issued with new
pressure to pass the exam in a restricted staff fairly taking everyone’s circumstances learning manuals since these are published
timeframe while already dealing with the into account in order to give them the best each December. The manuals cost £75 per
stress of increased workload due to officer chance of passing the exam.” set.
numbers being at an all-time low and more Trudy adds: “I think this has been a case Under the new scheme, anyone failing
complex and hidden crimes being of doing what we have always done but, by the June exam can re-take it in September or
investigated as a result of awareness allowing all students longer to study, we are November using the same manuals and
campaigns. taking everyone’s needs into account, as well therefore incurring no additional costs.
The formal NIE induction has always as the demands of the organisation, and we The change to the NIE process will lead
been held 14 weeks before the date of the are giving far greater opportunities for all to a delayed start for the Initial Crime
November exam, allowing the recommended students to pass.” Investigators’ Development Programme
College of Policing minimum time for the Detective Chief (ICIDP) and the officers’ subsequent
students to study with the Blackstone’s Superintendent Mark accreditation but would be the start of a
manuals provided by the Force. No Payne, head of Force more inclusive process that would be of
maximum time for studying is stipulated by Criminal Investigation, benefit after the first run through.
the college. authorised the change
But now the Force is adopting a new following approval from ‘I want to make
approach. When the Detective Academy the Detective Academy
process starts in September next year, the Board. being a detective
NIE induction, where students will be given He says: “I am really Detective Chief
their manuals and information about the keen that the Detective Superintendent as accessible as
exam, will be in December 2020 with the Academy represents the Mark Payne.
exam in June 2021. This model will be breadth of people and possible’
repeated going forward. talent within the organisation. After each
DS Trudy Gittins, Federation workplace process we talk to candidates about their Detective Superintendent Anthony Tagg,
representative and deputy chair of the Force experience, and look at opportunities to Force lead for the Detective Academy, is
staff association EnAble, who suggested the improve the process. As a result of this committed to make the pathway to
changes explains: “I have been in the role as feedback, we have decided to extend the becoming a detective as accessible as
investigative training supervisor for just over period available to study for the NIE. possible.
12 months now and, during that time, there “This will assist all candidates but will He acknowledges DS Sergeant Trudy
have been many students who have enrolled remove some of the time pressures on Gittins’ work in recommending changes to
for the NIE who have approached me just members of staff who have childcare issues the way in which West Midlands Police runs
before the exam to withdraw for a huge or work flexibly. The detective role provides and administers the NIE to offer a more
variety of legitimate reasons. officers and staff with a brilliant career inclusive and flexible process for those
“It is well publicised that police forces pathway. This change will allow even more progressing through the Detective Academy.
nationally, including West Midlands Police, people to apply and succeed.” Det Supt Tagg says: “It is recognised that
are vastly understaffed and we are also
who may also be juggling extremely complex “ I am really keen that the Detective
doing so much to raise awareness of hidden
and complex crimes such as child
exploitation, modern slavery and forced
marriage.
Academy represents the breadth of people

“By encouraging more people to come
forward this vastly increases the workload
and talent within the organisation. After
and pressures of the staff taking the exam
and difficult circumstances at home by being
a single parent or a carer or just working their experience, and look at opportunities
more hours to keep up with the demands of
their role in order to give a high level of to improve the process.

10 federation December 2019/January 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids
each process we talk to candidates about “