A Day at Thames Valley Police HQ

Today, alongside Pippa and Sean—the High Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire—I had the privilege of visiting Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington. Together, we represent the three counties served by the force, and this visit offered a comprehensive insight into the operations and challenges faced by Thames Valley Police.

A Warm Welcome

Our day began with a breakfast meeting hosted by Chief Constable Jason Hogg and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber. Their hospitality set a collaborative tone for the day, highlighting the importance of community engagement and strong partnerships across the Thames Valley region.

Exploring Specialised Departments

We spent the day visiting several specialised units, each showcasing the professionalism, expertise, and dedication of their teams:

• Digital Investigation and Intelligence (DII): Detective Sergeant Maddie Debuse gave a fascinating overview of how the force tackles cybercrime and analyses digital evidence—an increasingly vital area of modern policing.

• Scientific Support Department: Donna Hirst led us behind the scenes of the forensic laboratories, currently housed in repurposed garages under a makeshift tarpaulin roof. Despite the humble surroundings, we witnessed truly cutting-edge work—from advanced drug testing to the meticulous matching of fingerprints and shoeprints. The team will soon move to a state-of-the-art facility in Bicester, which will better reflect the scale and sophistication of their work.

• Major Crime Review Team: Pete Beirne spoke compellingly about how the team re-examines serious crimes, often years after the event, ensuring that no lead is left unexplored in the pursuit of justice.

• Contact Management: Superintendent Matt Bullivant walked us through the complexity of the contact centre—managing emergency calls, coordinating responses, and making split-second decisions that can save lives.

• Joint Operations Unit Firearms & Protection Group: A particularly memorable moment was seeing the armoury, including a gun concealed in a walking stick. Our conversations with the firearms officers were thoughtful and honest—exploring not only the tools they use but the personal and ethical challenges they face.

• Roads Policing Unit: Inspector Simon Hills introduced us to the work of the traffic teams. Their professionalism and proactive approach to road safety were evident, and we were delighted to be invited to join them on patrol in the near future.

What struck me most was the blend of high-tech innovation and traditional investigative skill—whether it was using chemical analysis to test substances or comparing fingerprints by eye, every task required a human touch and a deep commitment to detail.

We were all impressed by the openness of the teams, their passion for public service, and the clarity with which they described both the opportunities and the pressures of their roles.

Pippa, Shaun and I are grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to staying engaged—especially taking up the offer to accompany the roads policing unit in the future. It was an informative, eye-opening and thoroughly worthwhile day.