Fourteen trainee Detective Constables, who will join Humberside Police via Police Now’s National Detective Programme later this month, recently completed their first ever shifts in force as part of their academy training.

The 14-week Police Now academy – which is currently ongoing – is designed to equip participants with the core policing and leadership skills required in modern investigative work. The academy includes a number of field training days in Police Now’s partner forces, where the trainee detectives gain experience on the frontline alongside their experienced tutor constables.

During his field training with Humberside Police’s Response team, Police Now officer Nathan LeQuelenec was the first on the scene after a stabbing and, alongside his tutor constable, worked to promptly retrieve evidence and take witness statements.

Police Now trainee Detective Constable LeQuelenec said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing and were told the incident involved a machete, so I had to brace myself for the scene. Luckily, the victim was stable and was being treated by the amazing paramedics.

“I supported my colleagues in preserving the scene for evidence, recording details and taking witness statements. Overall, it was an adrenaline fuelled night that was challenging but rewarding.”

Other incidents that the trainee Detective Constables responded to during their field training include a person arrested for failing to appear in court, a person arrested on suspicion of rape, a suspected suicide, an attempted suicide, a domestic abuse incident, an assault, an attempted burglary, a suspected theft and arson, stop and search and a number of mental health crises. Officers also responded to an incident where a man was making threats towards a family inside a property. On arrival, officers had items thrown at them, but thankfully no-one was injured and officers managed the situation, which is now an ongoing investigation.

The officers are part of 170 new trainee Detective Constables who began their detective training in March at Police Now’s National Detective Programme academy. When the academy ends later this month, the trainee Detective Constables will be permanently deployed into their respective police forces across England and Wales. Here they will continue the two-year programme and play an integral part in solving crimes alongside their force colleagues.

Police Now trainee Detective Constable Vanessa McDonald, who is also joining Humberside Police via the programme, said: “Whilst I was on patrol for the first time, I spoke to and dealt with a lot of victims and witnesses. We intervened when a group of young boys were trespassing on private land, and we responded to reports that four young people had been trying to break into a house. Alongside my experienced colleagues and the Dog Unit we were able to track them down and make an arrest, and I helped present a suspect to custody. I was able to use my knowledge of the local area and street names to communicate over the police radios.

“The field training was challenging and tiring but rewarding and I feel I coped well with my first experience on the frontline. I have enjoyed joining via Police Now, it’s great to have people around you who are in the same boat so you can keep each other going and motivated.”

Applications for the next intake of Police Now’s National Detective Programme are currently open.*