Iqbal Singh

I retired from operational policing in 2018, as a Detective Superintendent, having completed 31 years in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

I left school at the age of 17 and joined the MPS, initially as a member of Police Staff, before deciding to become a Police Officer at the age of 20.

Most of my police service has been on the front line, operating within Territorial Policing and in Specialist Commands Units as a career detective working on serious and organised crime, safeguarding and public protection.

I completed my service as the Director of Crime Academy and as Head of Detective Training. I was privileged to be given the responsibility of ensuring the reputation of becoming a ‘Scotland Yard Detective’ continued through the innovative training provided by the world-renowned Crime Academy.

I designed, developed and delivered the Direct Entry Detective Pathway training for the MPS, a first for UK policing and which is now replicated by a number of national police forces and on retirement, acted as Subject Matter Expert for the design and delivery of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and Degree Holder Entry Programme. I continue to operate within policing and the public sector, working on inspection and review, change management and transformation and performance management.

Throughout my service, I have gained valuable knowledge and skills to become an effective leader and in return, this has enabled me to mentor and coach others to achieve their aspirational goals. I have experience in police assessment both for the MPS and the College of Policing including Direct Entry pathways, Fast Track and Day One Police Assessment.

My collaboration and association with P2P is to ensure my vested interest in policing continues in the form of helping others to join the police service and to help promote others to become the next generation of leaders.