Police plan to recruit new detectives in South Yorkshire reaps rewards as numbers rise

In response to a national shortage of detectives, recently raised as an issue locally by the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, South Yorkshire Police has revealed the work underway to boost numbers.

Renowned as a challenging role because of the type of serious incidents detectives investigate, including murders, rapes and child abuse, numbers in CID are down nationally.

In South Yorkshire, detectives working in ‘protective vulnerable people’ roles, where cases can be particularly harrowing, received a one-off £2,500 payment last year on top of their salaries in recognition of their caseloads.

But work is also going on behind the scenes to attract a new generation of detectives to cope with demand.

There are 22 trainee detectives enrolled on the national Police Now scheme to fast-track graduates into roles and there are another 25 trainee investigators currently working their way towards joining CID.

South Yorkshire Police is also involved in a national training programme where new police recruits spend a number of weeks in a range of departments in the hope of boosting interest in roles, including those traditionally difficult to fill.

The force is also training up civilian investigators, who can do everything detectives do apart from make arrests.

Detective Superintendent Ian Scott, head of investigations for South Yorkshire Police, said: “Being a detective is a challenging role and a demanding role. There may not seem to be the incentives to join CID as there are to join other departments in terms of shift patterns for example.

“In CID there are lots of shift pattern changes and working on rest days because if you start an investigation involving the abuse of a child for example, you can’t just put it down and have four days off.

“But because of the recruitment issues, flexibility is seen as key to attracting people now when people have families and care responsibilities. We have to be more flexible if we are to attract the right people and a diverse cross section of society and we are reaping rewards now in terms of closing the gap around the shortage.”

He said there is more wellbeing and mental health support, including counselling, than ever before for police officers and detectives because of the cases they deal with.

Recently retired detectives are also re-joining CID and working as mentors to new detectives moving up through the ranks as an extra level of support.

Det Supt Scott said he is hopeful of recruiting more detectives as part of the Government’s pledge to take on an extra 20,000 bobbies over the next few years.

He said as new officers join the frontline, it may create opportunities for more experienced police officers to explore new opportunities and roles within the force.

Det Supt Scott added: “You join the police to make a difference. Being a police officer is a vocation.

“As a detective you have an opportunity to deal with crime, vulnerable people and make a big impact on the lives of victims.

“I my opinion there is little else more rewarding than being a detective and identifying those doing wrong to others and seeing justice being served.”