Thames Valley Police now accepting non-degree holders for detective programme
Thames Valley Police have announced they are now accepting non-degree holders as well as degree holders for their detective entry programme
The programme takes place over two years with a mix of practical and class-room based training.
The role of a detective is to solve serious and complex investigations, in order to bring justice to victims.
The Thames Valley Police crime academy manager Mark Glover told us what key skills and characteristics you need to have to be a good detective.
"You need strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to serving the community and ensuring public safety.
"Teamwork will be a key part of your day-to-day job, working collaboratively with social care, health teams and schools as well as working alongside your uniformed colleagues to build the strongest cases.
"If you are motivated by the desire to provide high-quality service to the public, the determination to see an investigation through from start to finish and the compassion to work with victims and witnesses to bring offenders to justice, then this is the career for you."
Mark Glover formerly worked as the senior investigating officer on the murder and fraud investigation that was made into a TV drama called ‘The Sixth Commandment’.
The BBC series showed Thames Valley Police's involvement in one of the most complex criminal cases in recent memory.
Sophie Jatta is just weeks away from completing the two year programme and she had this to say about her experiences so far.
"As cliché as it sounds, for a Detective no two days are the same.
"You could be working on one investigation one day and come into another investigation that’s completely opposite the next.
"You could be at court or in a meeting with external agencies for safeguarding, there really is no way to tell what you are walking into at the start of your shift.
"Of course, some aspects are the same, like case files and paperwork, but seeing as each investigation is different, each file needs different things so it doesn’t feel repetitive.
"Every day you are speaking to different people from all walks of life, hoping to make a positive impact on people’s lives."