Oscar Kilo launches toolkit for investigators

22 June 2021

An online toolkit designed to offer detectives and investigators support with their emotional wellbeing has been welcomed by Hertfordshire Police Federation.

The first-of-a-kind toolkit has been tailor-made to make sure they know where they can turn for support when it is needed.

It is aimed at officers and staff in investigative roles and created to give them and their line managers and leaders the information they need to build up their resilience and continue to carry out the important work they do.

The toolkit is available to all officers and staff via the Oscar Kilo website.

Hertfordshire Police Federation branch secretary Al Wollaston said: “This important toolkit provides a vital resource to our members who have investigative roles across the Force.

“The resilience and emotional wellbeing of all our members is a top priority and something we take extremely seriously. We want them to feel heard, valued and supported.

“Our detectives and investigators face unique challenges and research highlighted at the Police Federation annual conference earlier this month suggested increased workloads and staff shortages were taking their toll on some of our members.

“I would really encourage all investigators to have a look at the toolkit via the Oscar Kilo website and take advantage of the various online sessions that are available.”

The toolkit was put together after eight months of work by a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) working group in close collaboration with colleagues from the Police Federation, College of Policing, Oscar Kilo, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and other force champions.

The group drew on research, particularly the National Police Wellbeing Service and the Durham University 2019 Wellbeing Survey, which found investigators experienced the lowest levels of wellbeing across policing, and particularly suffered from a loss of emotional energy.

Deputy Chief Constable Jason Hogg, the NPCC lead for investigator resilience, said: “The role of a detective and police staff investigator (PSI) is incredibly rewarding but can also be extremely challenging and can have an adverse impact on health and wellbeing.

“It is therefore more important than ever for officers, staff and supervisors to look after themselves and each other and I encourage you to access the resources in this toolkit.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Brunning, who leads the national group, said: “As a career detective, I can think of no other policing specialism that brings more satisfaction and sense of personal pride than being an investigator.  

“Supporting victims and their families through the most harrowing life experiences and finally securing justice is why many of us join policing.

“However, we know that the personal sacrifices investigators make, the continual exposure to trauma and the high workloads can converge to heavily impact on the wellbeing of investigators.

“Across UK policing there is an absolute plethora of wellbeing interventions, initiatives and measures available. However, to date we have not had a central repository for interventions, any measure of their effectiveness and there has been much duplicated effort.”

Chief Constable Chris Rowley, NPCC lead for wellbeing and engagement, said: “It is encouraging to see national working groups coming together to deliver something that we believe will be of real benefit to those doing the job, day in, day out.”