Examination Support Service - NIE - Sergeants - Inspectors
KEYWORDS
Examination, Examination support, National investigators exam, NIE, ICIDP, recruitment, Detective Career Pathway, Blackstones, Police Pass, Checkmate, accreditation, Sergeants exams, Inspectors exams
PUBLICATION NUMBER
PUB 1091
FOI REFERENCE NUMBER(S)
14715 14572
REQUEST TITLE
Examination Support Service - NIE - Sergeants - Inspectors
DATE RANGE
2020
INFORMATION REQUESTED
Please can you confirm whether the force has used a commercial service provider to provide examination support service for the NIE, sergeants and inspectors exams in the last 3 years. If yes;
- Please can you confirm their identity.
- Please can you confirm the annual spend level.
DISCLOSURE EXEMPTIONS
None
INFORMATION CORRECT AS AT
1/10/2020
DATE OF DISCLOSURE
1/10/2020
RELATED DOCUMENTS
FOI RESPONSE
Having completed enquiries within Essex Police in respect of Section 1(1)(a), Essex Police does hold information relating to your request. Under Section 1(1)(b) the below has been provided in relation to your request:
Yes, Essex Police have used Checkmate Training or Police Pass in respect of NIE. (see below for further details).
Re annual spend level – this can fluctuate - £176 is assigned to each individual NIE Candidate.
Sgts/Inspectors – No support services given.
Under Section 16 of the act, and to assist, the following will provide further details regarding the Trainee Investigators programme. (issued through another similar recent FOI request).
I require information around the Trainee Investigator programme in your force including;
- Numbers on this programme
In Essex Police we formally record an officer being on the Detective Pathway (ICIDP) at the point when they achieve a pass in the National Investigators Exam (NIE). At the present time (6th July 2020) we have 157 officers who are NIE qualified and pursuing ICIDP accreditation. - Copies of internal recruitment advertisements for the trainee investigator programme
Whilst applications for the ICIDP remain open throughout the year, the programme is highlighted through internal advertisement 4 times each year in line with the ICIDP induction dates supplied by the College of Policing. The advertisement is publicised on the internal Detective Career Pathway website and direct communication about the programme is sent by email to all non-detective officers. The LPA based DCIs and the Investigative Coaches also generate local publicity through word of mouth and pursue interest with officers whom they have previously been in dialogue with. Officers with an interest in a detective career are tracked by HR and the coaches to ensure that all opportunities are explored by these officers.
The latest internal advert is attached, which has been redacted. - Information around the programme and what is entailed, including the ICIDP course
The Trainee Investigator Programme commences with the identification of suitable candidates and discussions with them around the Detective Career Pathway. Those that are suitable then enter the process and have access to all of the study support listed below.
Having passed the NIE candidates are scheduled to undertake the ICIDP course and further receive PIP 2 Suspect Interview and ABE training, either in conjunction with their ICIDP course, or on alternate dates.
ICIDP and associated courses are delivered in a manner that aligns to the learning objectives set down by the College of Policing in their PEQF curriculum. This is described as a more advanced programme of learning, specifically the knowledge, skills and processes associated with serious and complex investigations. Learners will learn of the links between these types of investigations and other criminal activity, as well as the opportunities that may be available to obtain additional intelligence.
Our core ICIDP course is currently 4 weeks but is under review and may extend to 5. The additional interview training packages comprise a week each and the entire learning programme is therefore 6 weeks but may become 7.
Throughout this time and beyond the ICIDP course learners are supported by the Investigative Coaches in the completion of their Occupational Competency Portfolio (OCP). This is designed to use work-based examples as an investigator to evidence their competency within the role of Detective. Learners have 3 years from the date of passing their NIE to complete the entire process and once accredited they are invited to attend the ceremony as described.
Post accreditation Detectives are required to evidence their Continued Professional Development on an annual basis in order to retain their accreditation status. - Information around the NIE statistics including pass rates
In the last NIE in March 2020 Essex Police achieved an 78.6% success rate with 44 officers out of 56 achieving a pass. - Rewards or gains for passing
Assuming that this relates to a reward or gain for passing the NIE, Essex do not currently provide any financial or other reward for passing the NIE. The study package detailed below is extensive and is a significant contribution to the continuous development of our officers. - Studying time and studying materials or courses provided by the force
The following is provided to Essex officers to support NIE study:
1. A choice of study materials which best suits the officer’s personal learning style, including the Blackstone’s Manual supplied by the Oxford University Press or concise study books supplied by Police Pass
2. On line access to Q & As
3. A study crammer course operated by either Checkmate Training or Police Pass (depending on the choice at (1) above)
4. A mock exam in full test conditions run internally by the Investigative Coaches
5. Four days protected study time. - Rewards for qualifying as a detective
There are no financial rewards in Essex Police for qualifying as a detective. On accreditation officers are invited to a graduation event where they receive signed certificates from the Chief Constable and a Detective pin badge which denotes them as an accredited PIP2 investigator in the force.