Date: 30/06/26
No: 55/26
18 RGP officers have successfully completed a 2-week detective supervisory course delivered by specialist trainers from UK policing.
The course develops participants' competence in supervisory level investigation management, with a focus on critical decision-making, legal compliance, leadership and the practical application of investigative doctrine. On completion, participants are equipped to assume responsibility for the supervision and direction of serious and complex criminal investigations, to uphold the highest standards of professional practice and ethical conduct.
Participating officers were introduced to the foundational principles of detective supervision, including the role of the Detective Sergeant, Intrusive Supervision, and the Code of Ethics. The training was complemented by sessions on managing risk, the building blocks of investigation, fast-track actions, team dynamics, and leadership styles. The legislative framework governing covert investigative techniques was also covered, alongside policy writing, decision-making and the role of the Senior Investigating Officer. Practical exercises and case studies allowed participants to apply their learning in realistic investigative settings, with a course assessment used to measure progress against learning objectives.
Throughout their course, participants broadened their knowledge across a range of specialist investigative disciplines, with sessions delivered by UK subject matter experts covering Scene Management and Forensics, the Intelligence Function, Financial Investigation, Domestic Abuse and Stalking, and Violence Against Women and Girls. Further input addressed the role of the Investigative Adviser, Suspect Interviewing and Digital Forensics, reflecting the growing importance of digital material in modern criminal investigations. The course culminated in a Hydra Immersive Decision-Making Exercise, involving a pressure tested simulation requiring participants to make and justify critical investigative decisions in real time, followed by a final practical scenario and formal assessment.
Detective Superintendent Sean Perera, said, "This training represents a vital step in the continued professional development of our detectives, ensuring that those operating at a supervisory level have the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead complex criminal investigations to the highest standard.
“The breadth of the programme, from foundational investigative doctrine through to specialist disciplines and immersive decision-making exercises, reflects our commitment to build a detective function that is both capable and ethical.
We are proud of the commitment shown by all participants throughout the two weeks, and we’re confident that the skills gained will have a direct and positive impact on the quality of investigations conducted Gibraltar."