Effective Detective

DEVELOPING A ‘DICTIONARY’ FOR SIO SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGETable 2: Most frequently and least frequently cited skills by analytical approachMostfrequentlycited skills:●●●●Critical skill Repertory grid Critical incidentTeam-buildingLeadershipUnderpinningknowledgeAppraisal ofinformation●●●●LeadershipManagement of thecommuniction processStaff supportTeam-building●●●●InvestigativecompetenceStrategic awarenessProfessional integrityPlanningLeastfrequentlycited skills:●●●AdministrativecompetenceInnovative styleHandling experts●●●●Future developmentsHandling expertsResource managementOrganising themechanics of theinvestigation●●●Future developmentsHandling expertsOrganising themechanics of theinvestigationbehaviour for each interviewee. Consequently, the technique is likely to elicit a lessdiverse range of skills compared to the other two approaches.The three approaches yielded more consistent findings for the least frequentlymentioned skills. All three approaches recorded infrequent references to the‘handling of experts’; both the repertory grid and the critical incident techniquealso perceived the ‘organisation of the mechanics of the investigation’ and‘awareness of future developments’ as skills less vital towards defining ‘effective’SIOs. However, these skills, whilst not mentioned frequently, were neverthelessperceived by some officers as important skills for an ‘effective’ SIO.Perception of skills by role and backgroundWhilst the dictionary of skill categories was generated from an analysis of all theinterview material, additional analyses were undertaken on the repertory grid data.This technique more clearly demonstrates ‘real life’ experience of ‘effective’ SIOs,since it requires the identification of a particular skill that discriminates between‘effective’ and ‘less effective’ SIOs. The main aim of this was to examine differencesbetween the ranks and the backgrounds of the officers interviewed in terms of theskills that were most valued in defining an ‘effective’ SIO.Overall, leadership qualities, the ability to communicate with those involved in theinvestigative process and attention to staff support were the most frequently citedabilities within the repertory grid. In particular, however, Heads of CID emphasisedthat SIOs had to appreciate both the gravity of the decisions that they will make,21