Olivia Watkins
Leeds,UK
Summary
Accomplished professional leader with six years' experience in policing covering a variety of different departments with a strong focus on safeguarding and misconduct. Skilled in directing and solving complex cases, gathering evidence, and striving to obtain positive outcomes.
Adept at coaching junior officers and maintaining a supportive and high-performing team atmosphere. Strong interpersonal skills, yet calm under pressure to meet demands and targets in challenging circumstances.
Diligent in completing paperwork and confident in presentation skills, both verbal and written to a variety of different clients and audiences.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Detective Sergeant
West Yorkshire Police
Leeds
2024.01 - 2026.06
- Led teams of investigators up to twenty-five people, providing strategic direction and performance management in a fast-paced and high-risk environment.
- Managed complex caseloads (having an oversight of around two hundred and fifty criminal investigations), ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and organisational policies.
- Conducted strategic planning to allocate resources efficiently in line with force priorities, and to ensure the welfare of staff members was balanced with these needs.
- Developed team members, promoting a high-performance culture and continuous professional development.
- Worked collaboratively with partner agencies and organisations to deliver joint objectives.
- Analysed data and crime trends to identify risks in terms of offending, and opportunities to disrupt serious crime before it occurs.
- Identified areas of concern relating to staff performance, and addressed it accordingly (in terms of underperformance, lack of training, and misconduct).
Police Constable / Detective Constable
West Yorkshire Police
Leeds
2020.01 - 2024.01
- Delivered high-quality frontline policing services, consistently meeting performance, compliance, and community-service standards.
- Built strong community, stakeholder, and partner relationships to support organisational objectives and improve service delivery.
- Managed incidents and investigations from initial response through to resolution, demonstrating excellent judgement, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Handled sensitive and high-pressure situations with professionalism, ensuring public safety and adherence to legal frameworks.
- Supported new staff through mentoring and informal leadership, contributing to team cohesion and capability.
Front of house staff member
McDonalds
York
2022.01 - 2022.12
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, maintaining the high standards set, and reputation held by the restaurant chain.
- Assisted in the training of new front house staff members.
- Served high volumes of guests in fast-paced service environments with exceptional customer care.
Front of house staff member
Humpit
York
2021.01 - 2021.12
- Obtained customer feedback to improve service experience and provide recommendations to kitchen staff.
- Listened to guest complaints and worked with kitchen staff or management to promptly resolve issues.
- Accurately took orders, making menu recommendations as appropriate.
- Maintained excellent guest satisfaction by providing attentive, proactive and helpful service.
Front of house staff member
Melton's restaurant
York
2020.01 - 2020.12
- Attentively took orders, guiding customers on menu choices, allergy advice and chef recommendations.
- Confidently managed customer requests by listening actively to concerns and providing positive solutions.
- Collaborated across team to achieve productivity and efficiency.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Policing in Society
Leeds Trinity University
LeedsLLB - Law
University of York
LeedsA-Levels and AS-Level - French, German and History, AS-Level in English Literature
King’s School
GCSEs - English literature, English Language, Maths, Dual Science, French, German, History and Drama
King’s School
Skills
- In-Depth investigation
- Witness protection protocols
- Criminal law expertise
- Proactive crime prevention
- Coaching junior officers
- Investigative intuition
- Misconduct management
Languages
French
Upper intermediate
German
Beginner
Polish
Beginner
Additional Courses completed as part of these roles
- Unconscious Bias & Cultural Awareness
- Police First Aid Module 2
- PIP 2 Investigative Interviewer
- Sergeant CORE Leadership
- MIND Mental Health Awareness Training
- These training courses have provided me with invaluable skills in terms of problem-solving, strategic planning and relationship management. These skills are transferable and will assist me with fulfilling this role profile to a high standard.
Certification
PIP 2 Investigator course completed.
Tier 2 Interviewing course completed.
Detective Constable status achieved.
City & Guilds Level 4 certificate in Police First Line Management obtained.
Timeline
Detective Sergeant
West Yorkshire Police
2024.01 - 2026.06
Front of house staff member
McDonalds
2022.01 - 2022.12
Front of house staff member
Humpit
2021.01 - 2021.12
Police Constable / Detective Constable
West Yorkshire Police
2020.01 - 2024.01
Front of house staff member
Melton's restaurant
2020.01 - 2020.12
LLB - Law
University of York
Certificate of Higher Education - Policing in Society
Leeds Trinity University
A-Levels and AS-Level - French, German and History, AS-Level in English Literature
King’s School
GCSEs - English literature, English Language, Maths, Dual Science, French, German, History and Drama
King’s School