Met police firearms

[Fedster + 1,307]

The 17 new officers had their passing out ceremony.

Det Chief Supt Stephen Clayman explaining the recruitment drive at a Police Federation event last year

 

A group of new officers who have only served in uniform as special constables were the focus of a passing out parade today.

The direct entry detectives are now working in local borough CID units.

Some 17 new officers are now in non-uniform roles in the Metropolitan Police having been through intensive investigation training since May.

This group were recruited from the force’s special constabulary, and had their passing out ceremony today in Hendon, north London.

Another 52 recruits, who have not served as specials, will begin training early next year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman said: “This pathfinder for the detective constable pathway is an innovative way to recruit and I commend these officers for taking that step in being the first to apply.

“They have already undergone intensive initial training for their investigative role, but will continue to develop once they arrive in their boroughs and with support from investigative coaches.

“They will also continue to shape the experiences of those following them in the external detective constable pathway with learning already being applied to the recruitment and training process.

“They have chosen an extraordinary vocation and I wish them well in their future detective careers.”

Thames Valley and Suffolk are following the Met’s lead and taking on direct entry detectives too.

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[Ether + 1,401]

Well done, I hope you prove all those wrong who said it could t be done 

[Growley + 2,436]

Well done, I hope you prove all those wrong who said it could t be done 

Who said it couldn't be done? I only remember people saying it shouldn't be done.

[Ether + 1,401]

36 minutes ago, Growley said:

42 minutes ago, Funkywingnut said:

Well done, I hope you prove all those wrong who said it could t be done 

Who said it couldn't be done? I only remember people saying it shouldn't be done.

 I have seen it in various places, plenty of people saying it can’t and shouldn’t be done. 

It clearly can be done. 

[Growley + 2,436]

 I have seen it in various places, plenty of people saying it can’t and shouldn’t be done. 
It clearly can be done. 

I would argue that it's fairly easily done; we've seen across county forces that civilian investigators are a thing, which is basically what these recruits are, plus a few powers.

Whether or not it should be done is another matter entirely.

[Beaker 817]

I like the idea if they're bringing some special skills, not entirely sure I'd feel comfortable as a DC from being an SC.

[Ether + 1,401]

Just now, Beaker said:

I like the idea if they're bringing some special skills, not entirely sure I'd feel comfortable as a DC from being an SC.

I would agree with that to a certain extent. 

I think the police needs to consider its organisational structure, it’s done it no favours with what appears to be an incestuous   Promotion systems at the upper levels. 

I find there is too much elitism in the police that simply isn’t justified. 

 

[Mac7 808]

Never underestimate the time served in uniform and the experience that brings.

[Ether + 1,401]

1 minute ago, Mac7 said:

Never underestimate the time served in uniform and the experience that brings.

That’s not the be all and end all I think that’s the point. 

I could walk into a CID role and I have never been a constable. It’s should be skill based. 

[Beaker 817]

Never underestimate the time served in uniform and the experience that brings.

That is why I'd be uncomfortable. You're going to be taking cases, mostly more serious off guys who are going to have masses more experience. I checked, and in theory qualify for Police Now, but I'm currently weighing up joining the traditional route in preference. I figure that experience can't be trained.

[Growley + 2,436]

That’s not the be all and end all I think that’s the point. 
I could walk into a CID role and I have never been a constable. It’s should be skill based. 

I have no doubt that someone who is trained to investigate could walk into a DC role. The problem is that DCs are constables, and as such have the same responsibilities as any operational constable.

During the London riots, some DCs were being told to find some uniform and being turfed out of their offices. With this new breed of direct entry DC that would be irresponsible and potentially outright dangerous.

This is the reason why I personally hold the view that we should be hiring civilian investigators rather than direct entrant DCs; they may lack certain powers, but at least they aren't expected to meet the same requirements as an operational constable.

[Ether + 1,401]

9 minutes ago, Growley said:

I have no doubt that someone who is trained to investigate could walk into a DC role. The problem is that DCs are constables, and as such have the same responsibilities as any operational constable.

During the London riots, some DCs were being told to find some uniform and being turfed out of their offices. With this new breed of direct entry DC that would be irresponsible and potentially outright dangerous.

This is the reason why I personally hold the view that we should be hiring civilian investigators rather than direct entrant DCs; they may lack certain powers, but at least they aren't expected to meet the same requirements as an operational constable.

I can totally understand that perspective but I would rather Direct entrant DCs than Civil investigators. 

[Jeebs + 1,190]

What happens if they no longer want to be detectives?

[Ether + 1,401]

24 minutes ago, Jeebs said:

What happens if they no longer want to be detectives?

Then they retrain or find new employment. 

Policing isn’t rocket science, we shouldn’t make it more complicated than it needs to be

Edited December 19, 2017 by Funkywingnut

[Jeebs + 1,190]

16 minutes ago, Funkywingnut said:

Then they retrain or find new employment. 

Policing isn’t rocket science, we shouldn’t make it more complicated than it needs to be

No it’s not rocket science, I agree. Not that long ago you didn’t need any formal qualifications to join. 

But, these “officers” (I’m reluctant to call them that, sorry not sorry) have not really had the experience of policing properly.

Yeah they might be able to investigate a robbery, rape or murder, but can they deal with an RTC, a drunken brawl, a domestic? Probably not.

Do they have the experience of dealing with victims immediately following an event? Absolutely not!

There is no reason they couldn’t just have been brought in as civi investigators. It all seems unnecessary.