Trainee detective urges peers to seek support if they are struggling

27 April 2022

A trainee detective is urging fellow student officers to seek out support if they need it after recent figures revealed that 5.4 per cent of West Midlands’ new recruits quit before completing their probation period.

Amelia Asquith, who is student representative for her cohort, is part of the first-ever West Midlands Detective Degree-Holder Entry Programme, a two-year work-based training scheme with a specific focus on investigating.

And, although she believes most of her peers who have recently joined the Force are enjoying it, Amelia says she has heard of people having to choose between their dream of being a police officer and the money.

“I’ve met people who have always dreamed of being in the Force but haven’t joined because of the pay,” says Amelia, who followed in the footsteps of her father Phil, who is a superintendent with the Force.

“The role is definitely challenging – I would be lying if I said it wasn’t. The hours are long, the shifts take some getting used to and we’ve all seen things that some people never wish to see but this is what I signed up for.

“And I have to admit, I have heard of people taking a major pay cut to join the police but more often than not, they’re choosing fulfilment over pay.

“If the Federation is fighting for more pay, let’s just say, I’m sure nobody will be against it.”

Amelia and her father, Phil.

As student representative, Amelia says she has been approached by peers who are struggling, and she has been able to point them to the right support.

Her comments come after data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, obtained by Police Oracle, revealed that 91 of the 1,680 West Midlands new starters quit between November 2019 and April 2020.

“The support is there, so if people are struggling, I would urge them to seek out help and they can be pointed in the right direction if needs be,” added Amelia, who is just finishing her stint in the investigation department.

“I honestly think the experiences I’m having have humbled me. And for me, the support is there. If we have a difficult incident, there are debriefs when necessary.

“I want people to know that the challenges they are facing can be overcome.”

Amelia admits that growing up with her father being in the police has helped prepare her for life in the Force.

“I suppose for me it’s been less of a reality shock and I’ve always been a saver, so maybe for me, I haven’t necessarily felt the same issues other student officers are feeling,” she says, adding: “However, I do think sometimes, people have an idealised view of being a police officer.

“Maybe the marketing of the student programmes could be re-worded, so they’re a bit clearer about what the training consists of.”