Exciting and rewarding opportunities exist for police officers
to specialise in the many diverse areas of police work, such as the
Criminal Investigation Department, Firearms Unit, Dogs Section, Air
Operations and more.
Officers are eligible to apply for specialist departments and
promotion after successfully completing two years as a probationary
officer.
Individuals can work towards sergeant or inspector exams to
develop their knowledge and skills in serving the community.
However, promotion is only one way to carve out a satisfying
career in the police. With the appropriate training, officers can
move into specialist areas or develop their skills in community
policing. Please see some examples below of what else Suffolk
Police has to offer.
The Suffolk Police helicopter is a key weapon in the fight
against crime and is used by officers on the ground for every day
tasks, which range from searching for criminals, missing people and
property, to evidence gathering and surveillance. The helicopter
also assists in major incidents.
On board are hi-tech pieces of equipment including a thermal
imaging camera, a powerful searchlight and a special “microwave
downlink” which can be used to beam live pictures from the
helicopter to officers on the ground.
The main role of CID is to investigate serious crime and to act
upon intelligence, which can lead to the arrest and prosecution of
persistent offenders. Detectives working in CID have a very
demanding role and are subject to intensive training, so that they
can carry out their duties effectively in this field of police
work.
Officers aiming to become dog handlers go through a rigourous
evaluation procedure and receive intensive training once selected
for this role.
Teamwork is the key to a successful working relationship between
dog handlers and their canine charges. The force's German Shepherds
are used for general-purpose police work, including searching,
tracking and crowd control, while Spaniels are used to search out
illegal substances and detect explosives.
Suffolk Police’s firearms team go through a vigorous selection
process and training regime in order to attain and then maintain
their place as one of the core officers of the unit.
They are trained in the use of firearms and are drafted in to
support operations, which require armed assistance.
Suffolk Police’s Economic Crime Unit is a dedicated team, which
investigates serious and complex fraud. It deals with company
business fraud, major deceptions and corruption allegations, and
also provides assistance and guidance for area detectives on
various matters pertaining to fraud investigation.
Special Branch exists primarily to acquire intelligence for the
protection of national security, in particular protection against
terrorism, espionage, sabotage, proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and from actions intended to overthrow democracy by
political, industrial or violent means.
To achieve these aims, staff work closely with other national
intelligence gathering bodies such as the Security Service (MI5),
and Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
Special Branch has a responsibility for security at sea and
airports - working closely with its colleagues in the Customs and
Immigration departments.
Special Branch also gathers intelligence on threats to public
order from individuals motivated by racial hatred, animal rights
extremists, anti globalisation and environmental extremism. In
addition, Special Branch has a role in the protection of events or
prominent individuals who may be subject to potential terrorist or
other types of attack.
Roads Policing has a vital role to play in making the county’s
roads safer. They ensure road safety by enforcing traffic
laws, including those relating to speeding and drink driving.
Traffic officers also deal with road accidents and help and
advise members of the public.
The unit is not alone in its efforts to cut accidents and deaths
on Suffolk’s roads and works with key partners to provide education
for road users, publicity on a variety of campaigns and training
programmes.
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