Crime Solicitors

A whistleblower at Sussex Police has revealed that the force is so understaffed that some police officers not qualified as detectives are having to take over investigations normally carried out by officers at Brighton CID.

Police investigations into serious crimes such as murder and rape are usually led by a detective who has passed compulsory examinations.

However, under-qualified police officers have been drafted in temporarily to lead investigations for serious crimes.

Sussex Police have confirmed that unqualified officers are being drafted into Brighton CID “temporarily” to lead serious crimes.

The unnamed whistleblower has said that morale is so low because of staff being overstretched that some police officers have been close to tears.

The Daily Mail reports that the whistleblower took their concerns to local publisher the Brighton Argus.

The whistleblower – who is a detective with Brighton CID – said:

“Officers are having to be drafted in from other departments with almost no notice; and with many of these officers not even having passed the detective’s exam – a national requirement – and with little or no additional training to prepare them for dealing with the serious crimes investigated by CID.

'It is not uncommon to see my colleagues on the verge of tears because they are under so much pressure and stress – and have more work than they can cope with.
“This is nothing short of scandalous – and not only puts the public at increased risk, but the officers themselves,” he added

A spokesman for Sussex Police said that, although some officers without the appropriate qualifications were working for CID, all were “experienced investigators”.

Superintendent Steve Whitton of Sussex Police said that, by its nature, policing required “a flexible approach”.

“Often this means moving officers – all of whom are trained and competent to investigate crime – into different departments. This is why we have recently temporarily moved a number of people into our CID, to ensure that we can continue to respond effectively to crimes such as rape and sexual assault.”

Sussex Police is currently facing a £50 million budget cut and has been criticised in the past for cutting the number of frontline police officers in the force.

Supt Whitton added:

“We are going through challenging times at the moment and having to make some difficult decisions regarding our resources but – as with all our decision making – the needs of the public always come first.”

However, the unnamed whistleblower told the Brighton Argus that there was a “critical shortage of police officers across the entire Brighton and Hove division”.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise on charges for serious crimes such as murder, rape, assault, domestic violence, child abuse, drugs-related charges or serious fraud.

In London, Duncan Lewis has four offices and a crime lawyer can be with you in 45 minutes – our crime team regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons, including Young Offender Institutions.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges and representation contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours legal advice on criminal charges or representation, contact the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.