Cambridgeshire Police Federation has welcomed the launch of a specially-designed wellbeing toolkit which offers support to detectives and investigators.
The online resource was developed by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, with the unique needs of detectives in mind and was carefully created to make sure they are fully aware of what support is available to them and how and where they can access it.
The toolkit, which is available to all officers and staff via the Oscar Kilo website, also aims to provide investigators, their line managers and team leaders with the information they need to build up the resilience they require to continue to carry out their vital work.
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom is encouraging members to use it whenever necessary.
She said: “Increased workloads and low staffing levels are having a real impact on the emotional wellbeing of some of our members so this wellbeing toolkit comes as a step in the right direction.
“The mental health of our members is something we take extremely seriously so we welcome anything that offers support and assistance in that area and are pleased to know these measures are being taken to help colleagues cope with the demands placed upon them.
“Hopefully this toolkit will become a valuable resource and I would urge members to take a good look at it on the website.”
The toolkit was put together after eight months of work by a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) working group in close collaboration with colleagues from the Police Federation, College of Policing, Oscar Kilo, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and other force champions.
The group drew on research, particularly the National Police Wellbeing Service and the Durham University 2019 Wellbeing Survey, which found investigators experienced the lowest levels of wellbeing across policing, and particularly suffered from a loss of emotional energy.
Deputy Chief Constable Jason Hogg, the NPCC lead for investigator resilience, said: “The role of a detective and police staff investigator (PSI) is incredibly rewarding but can also be extremely challenging and can have an adverse impact on health and wellbeing.
“It is therefore more important than ever for officers, staff and supervisors to look after themselves and each other and I encourage you to access the resources in this toolkit.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Brunning, who leads the national group, said: “As a career detective, I can think of no other policing specialism that brings more satisfaction and sense of personal pride than being an investigator.
“Supporting victims and their families through the most harrowing life experiences and finally securing justice is why many of us join policing.
“However, we know that the personal sacrifices investigators make, the continual exposure to trauma and the high workloads can converge to heavily impact on the wellbeing of investigators.
“Across UK policing there is an absolute plethora of wellbeing interventions, initiatives and measures available. However, to date we have not had a central repository for interventions, any measure of their effectiveness and there has been much duplicated effort.”
Chief Constable Chris Rowley, NPCC lead for wellbeing and engagement, said: “It is encouraging to see national working groups coming together to deliver something that we believe will be of real benefit to those doing the job, day in, day out.”