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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a detective? With our DHEP Detective window now open, it seems like a good time to take a look.
We spoke to DC Dan Joyce, who works in Bridlington CID, about one of his late shifts.
7:30am – Up and awake, it’s a 2pm start as it’s the last late shift of the set. My partner is already out the door and at work, so I’ve had a short lie in, and will spend the morning watching a bit of TV and doing some chores.
1:20pm – Head to the car for the short drive to work. In the station, I’ll check any emails that require attention.
2pm – Laptop is set up and I’ve booked myself and my colleagues on duty and made sure the radio is ready to go. Our detective sergeant comes in to let us know there is a male suspect under arrest and in custody that we are required to assist on. The suspect had broken into a house whilst people slept and threatened a male and female with a knife.
2:30pm – Our colleagues in Beverley CID are already in the area where the incident occurred. They are obtaining statements and speaking to witnesses. Whilst they are doing that, us in Bridlington are formulating a plan of how to proceed.
4pm – My colleagues interview the suspect, whilst I assist with obtaining another statement and ensure the documentation is up to date for us to progress the investigation. We all conduct research to understand what has happened.
5pm – Statements start coming through from other officers, from the victim, witnesses, plus images of the injuries, knife and screenshots of text messages between the suspect and the victims. I start putting these onto the case, whilst colleagues are completing disclosure to present to the solicitor representing the suspect.
6pm – I speak to one of the witnesses on the telephone, who provides a detailed account of the incident. This is recorded and sent to them via email for them to read and sign. It is all done electronically to assist and speed up the process and ensure evidence is captured efficiently.
7:30pm – My colleagues head to Clough Road to speak to the solicitor and conduct the interview of the suspect. Whilst this is ongoing, I get the file prepared to send to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
9:15pm – I start completing relevant checklists that the CPS require from us when we present a case to them. There is a lot of research and background checks required, especially with incidents involving domestic violence. I start to research previous incidents, so that the CPS is aware of the history between the suspect and victim.
10:25pm – Colleagues are out of interview and let me and our sergeant know what the suspect has said. As the sergeant knows the case, he reviews it and informs us that he believes there is enough evidence to refer the file to CPS for a charging decision to be made.
11:30pm – I make sure the interview is included on the relevant forms that we need to send to the CPS, so they are aware of what the suspect said. Once the sergeant completes his checks, he then forwards the file onto CPS for a decision to be made.
Midnight – Colleagues are on the way back to Bridlington. CPS tell us it will take 40 minutes to come to a decision.
0:30am – Half an hour until the scheduled end of my shift, but we have a case to present to the CPS which can take some time. We are prepared for a late one.
1:00am –The case is presented to CPS, and we now await their decision.
2am – No response yet, but during this time, I look through my ongoing case work. I complete forms to get some suspected drugs and weapons tested for other cases. Having another coffee keeps me going!
4am – We are still waiting on the CPS to come to a decision, my colleagues stay on, and I head home for the evening as there wasn’t much all 3 of us could do. Further documents have been prepared, should the CPS issue charge to save time.
4:30am – What a way to end the last shift of the set. I would usually get home and try to wind down, but it’s straight to bed.
10:30am – The following morning arrives, and I wake up to find that the CPS agreed to charge the suspect with a couple of offences at 6:10am. A good result! The suspect was remanded by colleagues in Hull and kept in for the next available court.
In the days following, I enjoyed my rest days, spent some time with the partner and family, all ready to go again in four days’ time!
8am - Fast forward four days, I’m back to work and checking on the case. I find that the suspect has been released on conditional bail. He has conditions set which prevent him for interfering with witnesses or going to certain streets/addresses.
We have some action plans to complete to assist strengthen the case in preparation for it being tried at crown court in the coming months.
DC Joyce, signing off!