James Upton Email & Phone Number

London United Kingdom

Scientific Services Department - Forensic Collision Investigation Unit

Leading and coordinating across four counties, I ensure exceptional service delivery and compliance with exacting legal and organisational requirements. As part of the Forensic Collision Investigation Network, I ensure adherence to national quality standard operating procedures; meeting and maintaining accreditation standards. With responsibility for the review and writing of service level agreements, I drive improvements around forensic strategies, data retrieval, CCTV investigation and the application of scientific and method validated standard operating procedures.I represent the unit with forensic departments, agencies and service providers, contributing to the development of a national approach to collision investigation case management for forensics across Hampshire and the Thames Valley. Supporting the ‘Victim’s Right to Review’ process, I provide feedback on outcomes and provided clarity in cases not pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service.I ensure the effective guidance and professional development of staff, building motivated teams through clarity of purpose and desired outcomes in often challenging environments. Maintaining accreditation, I ensure specialist training and response to queries and reports are rapidly actioned.

Scientific Services Department

Leading roads policing, I managed major events and serious and complex investigations. Setting strategic and tactical objectives, I led the use of resources and ensured continuous effective service. I also project managed a service amalgamation between Thames Valley and Hampshire police, managing changes to the command structure, finance, quality and technical development and risk management. Achievements during this time include: • Managing serious issues generated by the COVID 19 pandemic; I assessed fast developing and critical information to deliver a resilient reaction to this crisis and contributed to a national change to driver education through the introduction of an online training programme.• I developed a review to successfully support enforcement activity and road safety campaigns; promoting activity transparency to further build public confidence.• Reviewing the Community Speedwatch, I introduced an improved structure and an online platform to manage the delivery, implement performance measures and assist the volunteers. • I planned and delivered road safety campaigns and initiatives addressing drink driving, seatbelt use, speeding, mobile phones and tyre safety through enforcement, education and media.

Roads Policing - Joint Operations Unit

Directing the delivery of specialist operational support, I managed 350 staff across Thames Valley and Hampshire. I oversaw the response to road network incidents and investigations; developing and implementing preventative strategies to deliver reductions in criminality, mitigate deaths and serious injuries, tackle anti-social behaviour and improve public safety on the road network. A member of the National Roads Policing Strategy and Intelligence boards, I influenced national strategies and operational delivery. I established resilient relationships with external partners and diverse communities; managing often complex partnerships with chief executives, politicians and senior leaders; respecting differing drivers and securing robust joint service excellence. During this time, I developed a bespoke training programme to support officers following the death on duty of a team member. This training addressed issues around these events and the support of officers. This training was incorporated into the organisation’s core leadership programme.

Criminal Investigation Department

Directing investigations, I held a large portfolio encompassing priority and organised crime, offender management, crime reduction and partnership initiatives, assessing and managing significant risk.

Windsor And Maidenhead

Managing 150 staff, I oversaw frontline policing services. Leading planning, coordination, personnel and performance management, I ensured exceptional service delivery from community engagement to response policing and custody provision.

Training Centre

I prepared and delivered training programmes, ensured training met organisational objectives and timescales and supported officers to reach the required professional standards.

Frontline Policing

Response - Leading a large team, I held overall responsibility for the 24/7 immediate response to critical incidents and management of a wide range of operational activities. I delivered effective prioritisation to manage significant risk, processing information quickly and accurately. Roads Policing - I managed and investigated complex fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions and incidents, working in fast time to secure evidence, manage witnesses and improve road safety. I exercised an empathetic approach to all involved in challenging and often traumatic incidents. Custody Manager - Responsible for the reception, detention and overall care of those brought into a large custody suite, managing high risk environments and meeting exacting legal demands.

Frontline Policing

Within a response team, I delivered immediate reaction to incidents; consistently demonstrating the ability to manage a diversity of issues, influence widely and process information effectively. On promotion, I managed the reaction to critical incidents and directed operational requirements and served (also serving) in a custody setting, responsible for the reception, detention and care of those brought into a large custody suite, managing high risk environments and meeting exacting legal demands.

Frontline Policing

Dog Handler - Working independently, I successfully identified offenders and captured evidence to secure convictions and provided support in confrontational public order situations. Response - I undertook a variety of roles, providing immediate reaction to critical incidents and management of a wide range of operational activities.

Bsc - Combined Sciences

Education record

Management of Serious Crime Investigations Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP2) Inspector and Sergeant Promotions.