Chief Constable's monthly column - June

Firstly, I wanted to say a big thank you to a number of my officers who not only keep Suffolk safe, but also assist other forces throughout the country.  Last month we received mutual aid requests to assist in London for the pro-Palestinian protests and also Euro 24. 

This really does show fantastic partnership working across the country and reinforce the fact that we respond as ‘one service’ to larger and more significant events. The personal commitment by those officers who work elsewhere should not be underestimated but equally the learning they take personally and also bring back to the organisation can help us inform and shape future responses at a local level.

May was a busy month with a number of operations, including Operation Sceptre, a week of action running which saw the constabulary intensify its focus on reducing knife crime and serious violence through education, engagement, prevention and enforcement.  A total of 15 arrests were made in a continuing effort to tackle knife crime and ensure the safety of our communities. During the week of action, officers conducted high-visibility patrols, 16 weapon sweeps and visits to known individuals suspected of carrying knives. 

Officers also conducted nine stop searches, with two arrests, both of which were knife-related and two knives were recovered.  These tactics are used year-round.  Amnesty bins, where the public can surrender knife or weapons anonymously, saw 1,283 knives recovered from them.  This is not a one-off enforcement activity and disruption continues throughout the year.

The week of action simply allows us to shine a spotlight on the efforts that are carried out day in, day out, to tackle knife crime in Suffolk.  As always, the public play a vital role in helping to keep knives off our streets. If you know someone is carrying a knife, purchasing one or that someone is being exploited to do so, please report it to us so that we can take appropriate action.

Another operation last month was Operation Chemical, which focussed on the carriage of dangerous goods.  The operation took place between 7 and 10 May and the police Commercial Vehicle Units from Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex participated at different check sites each day.  Across the four days a total of 86 vehicles were checked, comprising 60 HGVs, 24 LGVs and two cars.  A number of warnings were issued, along with some fixed penalty notices.  Reasons included HGV driver hours, insecure and/or overweight loads, mechanical faults, non-use of seatbelts, and using mobile phones whilst driving. 

It was  an excellent four days of regional cooperation.  I cannot stress how important it is to ensure dangerous goods are being transported in a safe and legal manner. The potential for serious harm to be caused if they are not means there is a real necessity for us to carry-out operations such as this.

Now on to recruitment - the Constabulary is giving degree holders the opportunity to join our team on a path to becoming a detective constable. If you are after a new career where every day brings a different challenge, becoming a detective could be just what you are looking for.  We have opened our recruitment application lines for the DHEP (Degree Holder Entry Programme). The DHEP Programme is for those who already have a degree in any discipline, this two-year training programme will provide recruits with a level 6 diploma in Professional Policing Practice. 

If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to be a detective at Suffolk Constabulary, you can register to attend a briefing - full details can be found on our website @ Detectives | Suffolk Constabulary.  For our police constable programmes, our application lines are always open, and we welcome candidates to apply for either our PC DHEP (Degree Holder Entry Programme) or PCDA (Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship), with cohort training programmes planned throughout the year. 

For more information on criteria and eligibility, or to register for one of our Recruitment webinars, please visit our website @ Police officers | Suffolk Constabulary  If you can’t commit to working as a regular Police Officer, have you considered volunteering as a Special Constable? Specials have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular police officers but give up their free time on a voluntary basis.  A Special in Suffolk is someone who is valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family. For more information on becoming a Special Constable, please visit our website @ Special Constabulary | Suffolk Constabulary

I was delighted to host Suffolk’s new High Sheriff, Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason, for lunch with my fellow Chief Officer colleagues last month.  There are over 50 High Sheriffs in England whose role is to actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.  Yvonne was very keen to hear about the force and I know will be a fantastic advocate for us with a particular drive in encouraging crime reduction initiatives especially amongst young people.  I look forward to working with her during the year.

Recognising officers, staff and police volunteers is extremely important, and I was delighted to host our recent two Long Service Ceremonies at Venue 16 in Ipswich. I was joined by His Majesty’s Vice Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk Robert Rous one evening, and the High Sheriff Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason on the other to present officers with their long service medals. 

I was also pleased that His Honour Judge Martyn Levett could present some Judges Commendations, and the Police & Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore assisted in presenting a number of awards.  Both evenings were an opportunity to come together with family, friends, and the wider policing family to be recognised for the very important role they each play.  We heard of remarkable examples of service and dedication, and I was pleased to recognise the contribution made by them all. 

Finally, community engagement is so important to me and it was my privilege to attend the second day of the Suffolk Show.  Although the weather was changeable, this didn’t stop the thousands of people gathering in their numbers to enjoy the day.  I was honoured to meet the Duke of Gloucester on his arrival too.  

On the Emergency Services stand it was delightful to speak with so many of you.  Thank you to all those who took the time to visit me and my colleagues – it really was a wonderful day.