Fast track detective scheme is just a shortcut says Federation

FAST tracking detectives into investigative policing in just 12 weeks is a short-sighted ‘shortcut’ says Essex Police Federation Chair Steve Taylor.

The Home Office wants the new £350,000 programme to address the 5,000 national shortfall in detective numbers and says it will be provide 1,000 new recruits by 2023.

The Police Federation of England and Wales says the sector is in crisis and that morale among detectives is at rock bottom.

And Steve’s not convinced the new scheme will provide the skills detectives need.

“Of course, something needs to be done and I understand the crisis, but I think it’s short-sighted,” he said.

“Recruits coming into the sector after just 12 weeks training are just not going to have the all round skills which constables and current detectives have, that ‘pick up your kit, get on the frontline you can ask of them.

“They won’t have the experience we need and what it does say about the role, about the value of it if we’re saying here’s 12 weeks at a training school, off you go you’re a detective now.”

He says the new recruits’ inability to make arrests will also hit forces hard.

“If a crisis hits we’ll be short of officers as they will be able to detect but not make arrests, also what’s gong to happen when efficiencies have to be made?

“It will be existing detectives that are booted out or moved on because they’ll have the skills which can be utilised elsewhere, the new recruits won’t.

“It feels like a gimmicky, short-term fix and it’s difficult to predict how existing detectives will view those coming into their team with just 12 weeks under their belts.

“On the one hand you’re in a foxhole, up to your neck in work so you might be grateful for any help you get.

“But if they are there to learn, to understand the trade, the trade that existing detectives learned out on the streets then how much of a burden will they be?

“On top of all the crimes you’re dealing with you may well find yourself with the responsibility of getting this recruit up to speed too.

“There’s a big question mark over just how helpful they will be both short-term and long-term.”