Detective Constable, Amela

Can you tell us about your role?

The role of a Detective Constable (DC) on the Isle of Wight is unique compared to the rest of Hampshire, whilst in other areas DCs might deal with only specific crime investigations, DCs on the Isle of Wight deal with many different serious crimes. As a Detective Constable you are managing serious and complex investigations from the point of referral through to the final court verdict, managing a caseload and trying to progress the investigations through evidence gathering and interviews. Acting as a primary point of contact for victims, ensuring they are supported through the criminal justice procedure. Being responsible for case preparation and liaising with the Criminal Justice Unit and Crown Prosecution Service. DCs are encouraged to be proactive, arrest their own suspects, schedule and complete their own enquiries. They are provided with a tutor for a certain period of the time, but it is important for them to engage with different departments and colleagues with any further enquiries.

Are there any particular skills you require to do the role?

There are no particular skills required for the role, but I would say there are certain attributes that assist the role. The first being drive and resilience. Communication skills are an essential attribute for the role of a Detective. You are required to build rapport with the victim, witnesses, and suspects in the interviews. The role of a Detective is to be impartial, not have any prejudices and follow the lines of enquiries raised by anyone involved in an investigation to ensure that it is completed fairly.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of the job is being part of the team. When a job comes in, all teams come together to assist with the preparation of a file to ensure the investigation is progressed and we achieve the best result for the victim. You build skills by working with different departments on a variety of different jobs. It is possible to take a secondment to different departments to learn about their specialist skills, and you can assist major crime with live investigations. Occasionally, you might get investigations that require out of County enquiries which provide you with an opportunity to work with different forces.

What would a standard day look like for you?

There is no such thing as a standard day for a Detective. Some days I might have pre-arranged deployments or video recorded interviews to conduct. Other days, I might arrive at the office to a suspect waiting in police custody waiting to be interviewed following a report made to the Police. The majority of the time you focus on progressing investigations and keeping victims of crime updated.

What is it like to live and work on the Isle of Wight?

Living and working on the Isle of Wight is unique to other parts of the Hampshire Constabulary. The Criminal Investigation Department on the Isle of Wight investigates a variation of different crimes, including crimes that happened on the Isle of Wight but with aggrieved and defendant living in another county. The summers are always busy with people visiting and the Isle of Wight Festival bringing large amounts of people to the Island. You become Jack of all trades as you are investigating different crimes that would be investigated only by specialist departments in the rest of Hampshire.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a police officer?

It is important to understand the reality of the role and not just what is perceived in TV shows and movies. Prioritise your mental health, as a Detective you will be subjected to vicarious trauma. Continue to have a life that doesn’t resolve around the job, the role of a Detective is rewarding, but it is important to look after yourself.

What do you do to unwind when not at work?

I try to catch up with my husband, which is not always possible as we work opposite shifts. I spend time walking or running with my dogs. Cycling in the spring and summer months, and catching up with friends and family.

For our current vacancies visit our vacancy page All Hampshire Constabulary Jobs, or if you have any questions, please contact police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk and we would be happy to help. Alternatively, please call us on 023 8045 1611.