Real-Life Sherlock In 12 Weeks: UK Graduates Anticipate New Training Program for Detectives

Are you a fan of Agatha Christie's books? Have you ever dreamt of solving a crime? UK graduates can now try their hand in criminology thanks to Police Now, a new fast-track training program for detectives.

• The shortfall of 5,000 detectives across the country ended up in developing a 12-week training scheme to nurture investigators in England and Wales.
  
• Under the terms of the program, recruits will start working on cases already in 3 months and receive training for over a 2-year period.
  
• The program main focus will be on problem-solving, safeguarding, and crime prevention. Cyber investigation is one of the directions the program is going to focus on.
• The cost of the program is estimated in £350,000.

How to Apply for Police Now?

To learn more about Police Now and apply for the program, check the official website, Applicants section. To join police forces under the program, you must meet the eligibility criteria:

• age 18-57
• live in the UK continuously for the past 3 years
• a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree from a university in the UK – or an equivalent from a non-UK university.

See official website for other eligibility requirements.

What’s the Opinion of Police Officers?

Not everyone is excited about the induction of the new program. As reported by the BBC, Karen Stephens, the Police Federation secretary named the new initiative "an insult to the experienced hard-working detectives". Her colleague, Chief Constable Matt Jukes from South Wales Police shared an opposite opinion. Mr. Jukes believes police needs "people who are going to be cyber investigators."

The shortfall of police officers surely takes its toll on the organization. It is believed that attracting PCs and civilian detectives will help make up to the 5,000 shortfall. Also, it’s going to relieve the pressure most police officers are currently under. According to BBC, high demand for personnel in counter-terrorism, and difficulties in investigators retention in favor of commercial sector have caused the shortfall in professionals.

The Home Office hasn’t announced the start date for the new program, but the officials believe it will increase the number of detectives by up to 1,000 over the next 5 years.