Surrey Chief Constable says bonuses are key for detectives

28 March 2018

Paying targeted bonuses to detectives could arrest years of decline and under-investment in investigative policing says Surrey Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave.

A shortfall in detective numbers has been identified by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which says detective policing is in a state of ‘crisis.’

Its documented a 5,000 shortfall in investigators across UK forces and recently launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the workloads and pressures modern detectives are facing.

HMICFRS also put the issue in the spotlight in its latest PEEL report.

CC Ephgrave acknowledged the issues but is hopeful steps can be taken to improve the outlook for detectives nationwide.

Speaking to Police Oracle he said that the Surrey force is currently operating below its minimum number of detectives.

“The detective shortfall is a national phenomenon and I think there has been an under investment over the last decade.

“There are big gaps and we’re reaping the rewards of that under-investment,” he said.

Despite the shortfall in Surrey, he’s confident positive steps have been put into action.

He believes the force ‘does well’ in attracting investigators from other constabularies, something he attributes to offering bonuses for detectives and firearms officers.

CC Ephgrave is the NPCC lead for criminal justice and paying bonuses for specialist roles is a key part of its plan to boost detective numbers.

The Police Oracle reports that current bonuses given for roles in Surrey are lower than the planned maximum annual payment of £4,000 likely to be available to chiefs soon.

However, CC Ephgrave told a recent public scrutiny meeting that bonuses, together with an increase in the South East allowance payment and a change in senior management culture had all helped to retain officers.

Resignation rates are down to 12 a month from 17.