Direct entry detectives ‘unwelcome addition’ to policing

DIRECT entry detectives would be an unwelcome addition to policing in Northumbria, the force’s Federation has warned.

Jim Gray, Northumbria Federation Chairman, was talking after recruitment began at the Met for investigators from outside the police service.

Mr Gray said: “Detectives need a grounding in operational policing first. They need a proper understanding about policing and all that it entails before becoming investigators.

“That is the beauty and strength of the British police service; that you develop a foundation in policing before you branch out into a specialism. I would be extremely worried and sceptical if we introduced direct entry detectives here in Northumbria.”

Mr Gray also warned that the move could be divisive and create a two-tiered service.

He said: “Are you creating career paths which don’t overlap with other areas within other paths within the police service? I don’t think that would provide a joined-up future for the service.

“At the moment we have a system where people can move from uniformed departments to detective departments and back. And it is that very cross-pollination of approaches and ideas that strengthens what we do. I think if we put people in silos then we lose that.”

The Met began recruiting investigators from outside the service earlier this year after HM Inspectorate of Constabulary described a national crisis thanks to a shortage of detectives.

A HMIC report said victims of crime were being let down, emergency calls downgraded and investigations shelved by forces.

HM Inspector Zoe Billingham said she was “raising a red flag” to warn forces about the impact on the public of an “unconscious form of rationing of police services”.

Northumbria police currently runs a direct-entry to inspector programme between January and March each year, but does not run a similar programme for investigators.