The first cohort of detectives from the RAF’s Specialist Investigation Branch (SIB) have completed a secondment in the Watford Local Crime Unit.
Hertfordshire Chief Constable Charlie Hall met with Chief of the RAF Police Group Captain David Wilkinson at Police HQ in Welwyn Garden City on Monday July 5 to mark the achievement of the first ever Project Verto programme.
In January this year, four non-commissioned officers from the RAF Police’s SIB began their secondment with the Local Crime Unit based at the police station in Shady Lane.
The new partnership provides a platform for investigators from both organisations to share tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure the SIB continue to operate under national best practice.
In their daily roles the SIB detectives investigate similar offences to their Constabulary counterparts, including serious violent crime, fraud and sexual offences.
Chief Constable Hall said: “It gave me great pleasure to welcome Group Captain Wilkinson and his colleagues to Police Headquarters to mark six months since the commencement of Project Verto. It has been a great opportunity for detectives from the RAF’s Specialist Investigation Branch to work in a busy Local Crime Unit, and they have really risen to the challenge.
“I’m very proud of our colleagues in the LCU who have had the chance to hone their managerial skills by providing excellent mentorship to the secondees whilst also getting some extra pairs of capable hands to assist our investigations. Partnership working always makes us stronger, enabling us to continually improve our service to the public. We are very much looking forward to further developing our relationship with the RAF Police in the future.”
Group Captain Wilkinson said: “I am pleased to see the extent to which our relationship with Hertfordshire Police has evolved, working closely with staff throughout the organisation to ensure we provide the best possible policing and investigative service to victims of crime within the Royal Air Force.
“I look forward to seeing further innovative ideas and opportunities, including digital solutions between our two organisations in the future.”
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