Sharon Parlett

I am an experienced law enforcement manager. I lead a team of 20+ police officers to problem solving serious complex high-risk investigations, making fast time decisions relating to risk, harm and threat and progressing balanced and fair investigations through the criminal justice system using CPIA. I enjoy developing staff and actively encourage them to understand their career aspirations through focus meetings. I have mentored new starters to the unit and have proactively steered female staff members to apply for specialist roles as they are under-represented, I am extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion and have been actively involved in recruitment to increase representation in the police force. I have also been actively involved in the increasing diversity from underrepresented groups into specialist police units. I have worked with Surrey police since 2009 firstly joining as a civilian investigator and from 2011 as a police constable to my current position as a manager.

Experience Jan2023 to present – Detective Sergeant in the Domestic Abuse Team.

I work in a high-risk, high profile safeguarding unit protecting the most vulnerable domestic victims from violence. I manage a large team of investigating officers whilst assessing the threat, harm risk to victims of domestic abuse. I risk assess all criminal investigations daily and set investigation strategies that are then allocated to my team to progress whilst ensuring that investigations are carried out expeditiously and as per the criminal procedure and investigations act 1996. I ensure that officers set high standards during their investigations, that they remain impartial throughout and that they record, retain, and reveal material to the crown prosecution that is found during their investigation at court and through their disclosures. I was the SIO of a serious complex investigation of a domestic attempted murder, I was the single point of contact and briefed my team of officers outlining the direction of the investigation along with a methodical approach to evidence gathering to secure and obtain charges. I worked alongside a variety of key stakeholders such as Outreach, Social services, Scenes of crime officers, first responders and investigators. I was able to discuss forensic strategies with the Senior Scenes of Crime officer to ensure the best forensic evidence was gathered and documented my decision making. I reviewed all disclosure material sent to the CPS and advised investigators throughout the court process. I was accountable for my decision making to bring protection and justice for my victim. I was then able to celebrate with my team several criminal charges secured by the Crown Prosecution and the perpetrator received a custodial sentence. As a leader I encourage officers to take personal ownership of their investigations and analyse problems to identify a resolution. I promote a culture of identifying and assessing risk and provide a holistic approach to investigations through partnership working. I mentor and coach front line officers to understand and identify the needs of victims and sign post them to the most appropriate agency. I am confident and experienced at leading teams during fast time, pressured incidents and have proved that I can make tactical and strategic operational decisions in line with policing goals.

Jan 2022 to Jan 2023 Counter Terrorism Nominal Manager as a Detective Constable –

I managed a number of high profile convicted terrorists when they were being released back into the community. I worked alongside the national security division, the probation manager, and our partner agencies. This included actively monitoring them by reviewing their tag history, downloading devices in an evidential format, and sending it to our partner agencies for analysis along with an evidential report including my observations and recommendations. One of the convicted Registered Terrorist Offenders I was managing was number three in the country for the risk he carried to the public. I monitored this individual daily with the probation officer, carried out random searches on his room and on his person at his approved premises. I was able to conduct interviews and establish that this individual was still involved in attack planning and radicalisation. I was able to case build by securing evidence and review all material gathered throughout the course of the investigation. This resulted in a recall for him to prison, extended sentence and a disruption into his behaviour, as well as safeguarding the wider community. I was nominated for a Counter Terrorism award for my contribution to disrupting a high-profile terrorist.

May 2019 to Jan 2022 - Counter Terrorism intelligence Unit as a Detective Constable-

I have a vast amount of experience planning, executing, and evaluating operations whist demonstrating knowledge of Force/Regional and National policies and processes. I was an accredited Terrorism interviewer. I conducted interviews using the PEACE interview model of persons suspected or involved in Terrorism offences in accordance with legal best practice. I then complied an intelligence report detailing my observations and recommendations which was then shared with our partner agencies and senior government officials. This first-hand reporting added direct value to national and international risk assessments. I also led large scale operations at Gatwick in line with our partner agencies directing officer examinations of persons suspected of being involved in the commission or assisting terrorism offences. I worked alongside the NCA, Border force, Local neighbourhood police officers, intelligence analysts, financial investigators, and other partner agencies. This resulted in resulted in a positive conclusion over a 3-day operation that I led with 5 intelligence reports submitted by my team, three terrorism interviews and a large quantity of money seized that was used to support terrorist groups. I am DV vetted, and security cleared.

Jan 2015 to May 2019 Criminal Investigations department as a Detective Constable –

I managed criminal investigations bringing offenders to court through the criminal justice system as a qualified Detective. I conducted interviews with suspects, completed evidential gathering and sought charges from the crown prosecution Service. I ensured I complied with CPIA and the Criminal Evidence act by remaining impartial but remained resilient in securing evidence to prosecuting and convicting high risk individuals. As I complied files to submit to the crown prosecution, I ensured I completed Disclosure documents, third party material, bad character applications, PNC prints and anything evidential that the courts required. I reviewed all relevant and non-relevant material to be submitted and disclosed to court. I also ensured any sensitive material obtained during a criminal investigation which may be relevant to the investigation was available to the prosecutor to examine on its relevancy. As the case officer I ensured I carried out the disclosure test on all files submitted to the crown to ensure any information gathered that calls into question the case against the suspect, material which if revealed to the defence and relied on in court may assist the defence or undermine the prosecution. This ensured transparency and fairness to all.

Jan 2011 to Jan 2015 police constable in Neighbourhoods –

I patrolled areas of Surrey responding to emergency situations gathering information at the scene or arresting perpetrators involved in crime. I also dealt with neighbourhood disputes and worked alongside the council’s anti-social behaviour officer and housing officer case building to evict offenders of anti-social behaviour. I gathered intelligence and submitted reports relating to fast time crime actions or building profiles on individuals. This led to me being nominated for all the community work I carried out to being Community Police officer of the year in 2014.

March 2009 to Jan 2011 – Designated Investigating officer –

I worked as a civilian investigator in CID conducting interviews, submitting case files, and seeking charges for remanded perpetrators of crime. I also complied Domestic violence protection notices and submitted them to court along with carrying out warrants issued by the courts, searching of premises and evidence gathering.

Dec 2004 to March 2009 Retail Store Manager for Tesco –

During this time, I worked in large retail extra stores managing 500+ staff at various positions to deliver key performance indicators: driving sales through promotions, during the Valentine’s period my team promoted sales within the store exceeding sales of flowers of £50,000 in a week and achieving the second highest sales figures within our region. I also ensured my senior team delivered profit and loss in line with store policy, and managed performance issues. Through effective line management I was able to deliver great customer service, compliance within hygiene and safety standards along with sustaining staff turnover. Successful in leading/ developing my team to create strong engagement of my management/staff with their personal and team objectives in line with store key performance indicators.