Trainee detectives one step closer to dream job

Chief Constable Kate Meynell meets the cohort

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 a quick and direct route into the police service, saw the first external cohort pass out on Friday (16 February 2024).

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 21-week basic training course to qualify as police officers and will now begin a period of around seven months in response roles to gain valuable experience.

After that they will receive a posting to a specialist CID or Public Protection 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 Andrew Granville, the course brings him a step closer to realising his ambition of working in the police service. The 39-year-old said:

“I’ve always wanted to be in the police since I was a little child. I’m passionate about helping people and seeing things through to the end – I think that’s what I like about the detective side of policing.”

Having previously worked as a teacher, PC Granville admitted it felt strange to be the student again during the training programme at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters:

“It was a bit strange. But I found the training really good. When a trainer tells you about something they did in their career as a detective, you can see the pride they feel. It just makes you want to experience the same feeling by getting a result that’s made a difference to someone.”

Also passing out on Friday was PC Taylor Platts-Batt. The 27-year-old, who previously worked as a council officer, revealed she applied for the fast-track course as she felt confident she has what it takes to be a detective. She said:

“Prior to working with Nottinghamshire Police, I was a homeless officer and so worked with vulnerable adults and children on a daily basis – and before that I worked in children’s services, supporting vulnerable children.

“When I worked in children’s services, I could only take an issue so far. I wanted to be that person who could take it to the end and put the bad people behind bars.

“It is extremely important to me to help people who have had awful things happen to them. I don’t think the public are necessarily aware of how many vulnerable people there are in Nottinghamshire, whether that be children or adults. I think being someone who can help them get justice for a crime committed on them will make me feel extremely proud.”

Core Trainer Richard Jones congratulated the Fast Track to Detective cohort on completing their initial training. He said:

“Being a detective is a challenging but rewarding role. 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.”

Detective Inspector Ed Cook, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Crime & Operational Support Command, added:

"We are thrilled to see our very first external fast-track cohort pass out. They are part of an incredible recruitment drive which will see 75 new detectives starting in the force over the coming weeks. 

“This new initiative has seen some brilliant people joining the organisation from a range of backgrounds and will only strengthen our already expanding detective establishment.”