First cohort of graduate detectives join Leicestershire Police

The first cohort of 32 budding detectives has been sworn in as part of the force’s first Graduate Detective Scheme (Op Cluedo).

The new officers were welcomed into the force this week (Tuesday 21 December) by Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Ann Cowan, Deputy Chair of the Bench for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who congratulated the group and spoke about being part of the policing and judicial family.

A teacher, financial investigator, and prison officer are among some of the recruits ready to start the two-year programme which will equip them with the skills and training necessary to become a fully-fledged Detective Constable (DC) serving for Leicestershire Police.

The first year will see recruits undertake uniformed elements of the job at training school, before being placed within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in their second year. At the end of the two years they will become fully qualified detectives.

Chief Constable for Leicestershire Police Simon Cole, concluded the ceremony and passed on some valuable advice to the group, telling officers to be “bold, brave and innovative” in their careers and decision-making processes.

He added they should: “Police with pride and continually look after themselves and each other."

Caroline Thompson, Senior HR Business Partner and project lead for Op Cluedo said: “We have spent the last 15 months designing the force’s first detective graduate entry programme and I am so proud of it.

“It will support the force with the shortage of detectives, allow our current detectives to be released into other roles, and bring in talented and diverse graduates to the force.”

The programme will be delivered in partnership with Team Leicestershire Academy and De Montfort University.

Project Lead and Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, Tracey Willetts said: “DMU and Leicestershire Police have been working in partnership on policing programmes for many years. The DC DHEP programme offers an exciting new route into policing.”

Yusuf Foolat is just one of the new recruits to join the force after graduating from Loughborough University earlier this year.

He said: “Starting at Leicestershire Police begins a new chapter in my life and I hope to use all my experiences in order to be my best possible self.

“I will be able to come in with a fresh perspective in the world we now live in and become part of the new generation of policing.”

Yazmeen Jordan leaves behind her role as a prison officer to become a trainee detective. She said: “Serving and protecting people is in my nature and bringing people to justice is what will keep me focused and driven.

“During my time in the prison, I worked alongside the security department to provide intelligence and investigate issues and now I want to dedicate my career to doing this.”

Detective Chief Superintendent, Shane O’Neill said: “It is fantastic to see this entry route being introduced and so much in demand. I am really looking forward to seeing this cohorts’ experiences adding to our current investigators, to help bring offenders to justice and protect those at risk.”

A further 24 recruits will be taken on in May 2022, followed by 32 in October 2022.