Could You Be West Yorkshire Police's Next Detective?
25 March 2019
West Yorkshire Police are opening a recruitment window for detective constables to join the Force.
Nationally, there is a shortfall in detective numbers and last year West Yorkshire Police announced it was taking part in a national initiative which will supplement detective numbers and aims to bring rapid support to investigators working in challenging fields.
Successful applicants will begin a two-year development programme. You will have the specific training, support and guidance to ultimately become a Detective Constable.
T/Chief Inspector Tanya Wilkins, who has been a detective for the majority of her career, is now the highest ranking female black officer at West Yorkshire Police. She has recently taken on a new role in the Force's Positive Action Team.
T/Chief Inspector Wilkins joined the Force in March 2001 where she was a police constable based at Weetwood Police Station in Leeds. She became a trainee investigator in 2004, qualified as a detective in 2005 and has since worked up the ranks in a variety of roles across West Yorkshire Police.
T/Chief Inspector Tanya Wilkins, said: "The opportunity to apply to become a detective constable is exciting and for anyone who would like to explore an investigative role in policing, I would urge you to apply. The training to become a detective was challenging but exhilarating at the same time.
"Throughout my career, I have done a variety of roles including Safeguarding which investigated offences against children and vulnerable people, worked within a specialist unit that dealt with serious offences, as well as recently qualifying as a firearms and public order commander.
"My new role centres around promoting West Yorkshire Police as an employer of choice, being at the forefront of developing retention and recruitment strategies. I would also like to encourage anyone who would like to work with our diverse communities in West Yorkshire to come join us."
Detective Superintendent Pat Twiggs, said: "Detectives across West Yorkshire lead some of the most serious crime investigations; the work is challenging but hugely rewarding.
"We are looking for talented and ambitious individuals who are looking for not only a career in the police service but also aspirations of becoming a detective. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the UK's largest police forces."
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said:"This is an opportunity to make a real difference in your community in a role that is truly rewarding and varied. I would encourage anyone who is interested to visit West Yorkshire Police's website for more details.
"Continuing recruitment that is representative of our communities is crucial and I would like to take this opportunity to again thank local people for their support when I was setting the police budget a few months ago.
"It will enable us to further bolster the front-line and specialist roles such as this, helping to keep our communities safe."
The two-week recruitment window opens on Monday 25 March
If you are interested in become a detective constable, please visit the West Yorkshire Police website https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/detective-constables/detective-constables for more information on how to apply.