Trainee detectives one step closer to ‘dream’ job

Nottinghamshire Police’s newest batch of trainee detectives moved one step closer to the role as they competed their initial period of fast-track training.

The force, keen to increase its numbers of detectives, has recently taken steps to reduce the amount of time it takes for recruits to apply and qualify for vital investigative roles.

Its Fast Track to Detective scheme, introduced to allow appropriately-qualified civilian staff a quick and direct route into the police service, saw its latest batch of new recruits pass out on Friday (19 May 2023).

The recruits, who would traditionally have had to serve a period of two years in uniformed response roles before applying to become a detective, have just completed a ten-week basic training course to qualify as police officers and will now begin a period of around ten months in response roles to gain valuable experience.

After that they will receive a posting to a specialist CID team where they will help to investigate incidents like serious assaults, burglaries, robberies, fraud, drug and sex crime. Once they have completed all the relevant national exams and proven themselves in a range of investigations they will qualify as full-time police detectives.

For PC Bethany Revill, the course brings her a step closer to realising her ambition of working as a full-time detective. The 24-year-old said: “I’ve wanted to be a detective for as long as I can remember. Literally, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.

“Even when I was young, I told my parents I wanted to be a detective as I really loved the Nancy Drew books. I even asked them for a magnifying glass for my birthday so I could pretend I was a detective!

“It’s amazing that my dream is now coming true.”

Having previously worked in Nottinghamshire’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), PC Revill said she applied to be a detective as she wanted to play a key role in securing justice for victims.

“I don’t think there’s a feeling like it,” she said. “Being able to help a victim and ensuring no-one becomes a victim because you’ve helped put a dangerous individual behind bars is what makes the role of a detective so rewarding.”

Also passing out on Friday was PC Denise Fenton. The 41-year-old, who joined Nottinghamshire Police in 2020 as a civil orders officer, revealed she applied for the fast-track course as she felt confident she has what it takes to be a detective.

The married mum-of-two said: “Before I joined Notts Police I worked in the probation service. Whilst there, I had a reputation for creating more work for myself because I always investigated that bit further if someone said something that didn’t add up. I used to interrogate them in order to get to the truth.

“That reputation for unearthing the truth is what made me think about joining the police and becoming a detective.

“I’m really happy I joined. I’ve been so well-supported and even though I’m in my 40s, the organisation has always been willing to discuss my personal development and ensure my skills are put to best use.”

Inspector David Booler, who heads up the training school at Nottinghamshire Police, said the fast-track course was enabling civilian staff with transferable skills, knowledge and experience to become detectives.

He said: “As the name suggests this is a fast-track way for people to become detectives utilising the skills, knowledge and experience that police staff members have gained over their time working with Nottinghamshire Police.

“Traditionally anyone wishing to become a police officer would have had to complete two years in a response role before they could apply to work as a detective constable. That was a great system that delivered some really exceptional detectives and it remains an option for people today.

“However, it can also be a barrier for some really talented investigators and deter them from applying. As a force we want to retain the best people and help to mould them into the next generation of police detectives.”

Core Trainer Rob Wilson, a former neighbourhood inspector who re-joined the force to help new recruits, added: “I would like to congratulate the Fast Track to Detective cohort on completing their initial training. They will be investigating some serious and fascinating crimes and working with very talented colleagues.

“They will get the immense satisfaction from supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. I look forward to watching as their careers develop.”