NEWS


Inspired by her “superhero” superintendent father, a trainee detective says she feels honoured to be part of the first ever West Midlands Degree Holder and Detective Entry Programme as she says all she wants to do is serve and protect the public. Amelia Asquith (23) is currently in the early weeks of training, having decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, Phil Asquith, who is a superintendent with the Force. She is one of a handful of students


taking part in a two-year work-based training programme supported by off- the-job learning, with a specific focus on investigating. This is the first of its kind at West Midlands Police. “When I heard this programme had


been made available, I applied as soon as I finished my university degree,” said Amelia, who spent three years studying English literature in Lincoln. “I thought being a detective was years down the line, but I’ve managed to achieve my dreams sooner. It’s crazy to think I’ve achieved my dreams in the middle of a pandemic, at the time when the world had stopped. It was as if everything just fell into place, like it was meant to be. “I feel so honoured to be in this position.” Amelia’s passion for policing stems back


to her childhood, which saw her growing up around the Force, looking up to her “superhero” Dad, whose achievements have always propelled her to do her best. “I’m inspired by my Mum and my Dad. Dad has always motivated me,” she says, “I’m in awe of him. I’ve had so many compliments on him from my peers.”


TRAINEE DETECTIVE INSPIRED BY ‘SUPERHERO’ SUPERINTENDENT FATHER It was during


a stint at Camp America that Amelia says she realised she was meant to be a police officer. “There were two specific incidents which encouraged me to consider a role in the Force. One of which was when I was working in Texas and noticed a snake’s nest in the lake the children were swimming in. Despite my superiors telling me that they wanted the kids to stay in the lake, I pushed for them to get out,” she recalls. “The second incident, which was the


Superintendent Phil Asquith with new recruit Amelia “I was so excited to try my uniform on for


real determinator for me, was when a colleague got bitten by a snake. It was a copperhead snake, which can be severely dangerous and sometimes fatal. It was chaos, everyone was screaming.” Amelia remembers having “tunnel vision”.


She explains that she ripped her colleague’s trousers off and cut the blood circulation off. “She nearly lost her leg, she could’ve died,” she added. “I’d always wanted to follow in my Dad’s


footsteps but I didn’t ever think I was capable. It was during my time at Camp America that I realised I could do this.” Amelia discovered she had been


accepted onto the course on her Dad’s birthday, and she reveals telling him was very emotional.


SUPERINTENDENT ‘FULL OF PRIDE’ “But, once Amelia has explained her


Proud father and Superintendent Phil Asquith says he is full of pride as his daughter begins her detective training with the same Force where he has spent almost 30 years working. “Like every parent, who has seen what


I’ve seen, I was initially full of apprehension when Amelia told me she wanted to be a detective,” said Phil, who joined the police back in 1994 and is preparing to retire in two years. “A former officer and friend of mine


said to Amelia that in the police you have to be prepared to run towards someone who might punch you in the face and that’s exactly it. I know the risks that come with the job and I know just how dangerous it can be. I wanted to try to shield her from that.


reasons for wanting to join the police, of course, I was full of pride for her. She has always been inquisitive and seeing me work in the police obviously ignited a spark in her.” Having spent 28 years in the Force,


Phil explained that 22 of those were as detective, with him leaving that role following his recent promotion to superintendent.


“I’ve enjoyed being a detective more


than any other role I’ve had,” he added, “I’ve experienced a whole raft of stuff and it’s shown me that your career in the police can go in any direction. “This is my first time back in uniform for


almost 20 years. I’m excited to see what’s to come. The way I see it, change is always


the first time. That was such a proud moment,” she says. “I’m a very patriotic person. As cheesy as it sounds, I’m proud of everything this country achieves and that empowers the idea of me wanting to serve the people.” Recognising that she would be naïve to


head into this course with rose-tinted glasses on, she says she anticipates the role will come with its challenges. “I’m trying to take each day as it comes


and I try not to let my mind dwell on the what ifs, because that’s dangerous territory. I know the risks that come with the job but in my opinion, the only fear is fear itself,” she explains. “I’m really enjoying the course so far,” she added, “I’m sure there will be some bumps in the road along the way but that is absolutely fine.”


going to happen, there’s no point worrying about it and, instead, you should grab it with both hands. “What I do know is, if you put the effort


in, you can get anywhere you want in life.” Phil said that he believes the digital


skills that young recruits bring with them, complements the knowledge that experienced officers have. “I always say I have a ‘copper’s nose’, which means I can spot if someone is shifty straightaway. But when it comes to all that cyber stuff, that’s where I struggle,” he explained.


“I don’t understand social media at all


but the younger officers, they can’t seem to live without it. We can all share our experience, to make us stronger and deliver the best service.”


47 I POLICE I OCTOBER 2021


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