ConsultingCops (CC) - Hi Phil, can you please tell us what force you worked for, what rank you retired at and what role you performed?

Phil Rickells (PR) - I had two police careers. I joined the West Midlands Police in 1985 where I worked at Solihull, Aston and Coventry. I worked initially in uniform before progressing to roles with the CID. In 2000 I met my wife skiing in Italy (I saved her off the slopes!), which resulted in me moving to Essex in 2002, where I joined the Metropolitan Police Service as a Detective Sergeant on the Homicide command. I then spent ten years on the Homicide Command before retiring as a DCI in 2015.

CC - So, when you left the police I understand you remained in a Detective role with DEFRA. Can you tell the readers what DEFRA stands for and what your job with them entailed please?

PR - DEFRA stands for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. DEFRA holds several strands of work relating to the environment, food and farming which is often far reaching. Recently this has expanded to into areas such as Peat burning (Heather and Grass Burning Regulations 2021) and the Ivory Act 2018. I worked for DEFRA Investigation Services (DIS) which undertook investigations predominantly on behalf of the following arm’s length bodies:

• Forestry Commission (Forestry Act 1967), illegal tree felling.

• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013)

• Animal Plant Health Agency 

• Rural Payments Agency (Fraud Act 2006) 

CC - Why did you decide to stay in a Detective role on leaving the police?

PR - On my retirement I purposely left the police and the investigation environment, pursuing other interests. In 2017 I missed the investigation role, the interaction with witnesses and suspects. However, I did not wish to undertake a strategic management role. Whenever I spoke with former colleagues who had followed a successful career within the police, they all recalled the ranks of Detective Constable and Sergeant as being their favourite. This was a factor which was instrumental in me deciding to return to a ‘real detective’ role.

CC - What type of investigations did you conduct whilst working for DEFRA?

PR - I conducted both regulatory and criminal investigations on behalf of DEFRA. The structure of the investigations was very similar to those in the police. Reviewing intelligence and information. Establishing an investigative strategy. Collecting witness statements, exhibits and evidence. Before identifying suspects and inviting them to an Interview Under Caution.

 

I was authorized by the Secretary of State under a long list of regulations as an ‘Authorized Officer/Inspector’. At times these gave far reaching powers to enter and search business premises without a warrant. These extended to search private premises with a magistrate’s search warrant. At times this could be challenging when contacting a magistrate court for a warrant with legislation that they had never heard of before.

An area that I came across was dog breeding and artificial insemination, where illegal veterinary medication was being used to facilitate this industry. I use the word ‘industry’ as on my first visit to one of these establishments, whilst gaining a rapport with the owner I discovered a dog had been sold for £100,000 (yes, I saw the receipt). During the COVID lockdown this industry flourished financially due to demand.

This was the first of many investigations into this world where I saw many people diversify into this line of work due to the financial rewards, which also attracted organised crime groups (OCG’s).

I also conducted investigations on behalf of the Forestry Commission involving the illegal felling of trees. One investigation involved the illegal felling of 12 large oak trees resulting in the offender being successful prosecuted and fined £12,000

CC - I understand you have moved from DEFRA and now work for the NIS. Can you tell us about this organisation?

PR - The National Investigation Service (NATIS) is a law enforcement organisation with the responsibility for investigating cross-border, large, complex, serious organised crime relating to the public sector.

NATIS was created with the sponsorship of government to bring policing and government agencies together to investigate serious crime where public authorities were the victims.

In 2020 NATIS was tasked to lead on organised criminal gangs targeting HM government financial support schemes provided in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

CC - What investigations have you been involved with since joining the NIS?

PR – Measures were introduced during 2020 to support businesses affected by COVID-19 such as loans, grants, and tax allowances. The Bounce Back loan (BBL) scheme helped small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, at a low interest rate, guaranteed by the Government.

The Bounce Back loans were made on the condition that they were not to be used for personal purposes, but could be used, for example, to purchase a company asset such as a vehicle, if it would provide an economic benefit to the business.

It appears that offences of Fraud and money laundering have been committed. NATIS is presently involved in the investigation of Bounce Back Loans (BBL) at a variety of levels, depending on the financial benefit.

CC - Do you miss being a police officer and if yes, what part of it do you miss the most?

PR - I do miss the police service. Not the politics, but the personalities, and those officers at the grass roots who exhibited exceptional skills and abilities. I recall a homicide investigation where the Metropolitan Police Service had failed the victim of a previous assault, who was now the murder victim. Two experienced family liaison officers were dispatched to meet a very angry family, who were totally disillusioned with the MPS. In the following months the engagement with the family included honesty and integrity, establishing a rapport of confidence in our investigation, with a rational for our actions. The offender was arrested some days later. Following the trial, he was sentenced to Life Imprisonment (25 years). Years later I met the partner of the victim who was highly complementary of the investigation and particularly those two officers.   

CC - Have you any advice for officers contemplating leaving the job or for those approaching retirement about what to do when they leave?

PR - For those young in service get a specialism, which is transferrable outside the police service. I don’t think the police service is now a 30-year career, which is now reflected in the pension. The areas where I have seen growth is Financial Investigation or Digital Forensics. Both my recent employers have invested heavily in these two skills areas, which are continually developing.

For those in the twilight years of their police careers or contemplating leaving the service, you have a myriad of skills and abilities, you are experienced problem solvers! In the last five years I have been alarmed how criminals are now diversifying from the conventional criminality into alternative crimes and regulatory breaches, due to the lucrative financial benefits. In 2022 the Public Sector Fraud Authority was launched to address the estimated £40 billion loss to the public purse.

I have no doubt several policies and strategies have been drafted to address the risk and reduction. However, they still require the expertise and knowledge, gained through policing, placing suspects in interview rooms. Some may say I do not have the skills. They may have an abstract specialism, but these can be adapted to a new career. I know of one ex counter terrorism Detective Inspector who now specializes in intellectual property (copyright law).