DETECTIVES IN CRISIS
THE DARK SIDE OF A LIFE IN CID
Detectives are in crisis – they’re overworked, under-resourced and exposed to the most harrowing trauma. STEVE BAX speaks to serving and former detectives about their experiences
“SHEER WEIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS” DC Jacqui Gravenor of Dorset Police can sum up detective policing today in one word: “exhausting”. It is a perfect storm of fewer officers, the loss of civilians who used to help in preparing paperwork for court cases, and ever more complex investigations. She explains: “A new era has dawned
for the detective. The days of going into the community to investigate serious and complex crimes are long gone. Today’s detectives are chained to their desks, completing ever increasing case files which includes adhering to the recent Attorney General Guidelines on Disclosure. Our goal is to get those all-important charges that might give our victims justice but our ability to achieve this is encumbered by the sheer weight of administrative tasks.”
Things they must consider in
addition to the main investigation is safeguarding and time limits for getting cases to court – The Bail Act restricts the time available to carry out an investigation. Jacqui adds: “The admin side of the job is huge. So are the demands and expectations of the Crown Prosecution Service – the size of the documents and how they want them presented in court. These are all time- consuming things and in previous years we’ve had members of staff that can help us, but we don’t have that now.” She still feels the detective role is
valuable even if at times the job feels overwhelming.
It’s a sentiment shared by Clare Day, a Kent Police detective for almost 16 years.
“ The days of going into the community to investigate serious and complex crimes are long gone.”
20 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2021
She says: “The daily pressures include
the need to prioritise high workloads – each one is high risk and involves vulnerable people. It’s a challenge when there are fewer officers to go around. One way the job could improve is if we had more detectives and a lot more support, not just in the workplace but through the court process as well. “Even with the stress and demand, it’s one of the best jobs in policing especially when you’re able to get a positive outcome for a victim of crime in court.”
Jacqui Gravenor
Clare Day
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