Mark Proctor OBE

https://lnkd.in/d2gHWtRf This is another great result from the UK Ministry of Defence Police(MDP) Crime Command, a quirky group of CIVILIAN police officers and staff working within the UK Ministry of Defence Sgt Charlot, who was attached to the 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers - REME working from Tidworth Barracks, pleaded guilty to Fraud by abusing his position to steal £900,000 from the UK Ministry of Defence. The investigation was complex and required true investigative resilience, not least to work through the machinations of Defence's over complicated structures, insular and reputation protection first practices. I will look forward to hearing the sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court on 13th December, and and the follow on Proceeds of Crime hearings. It is worthy of highlighting the UK Ministry of Defence intent to disband the MDP Crime Command, the ONLY UK Ministry of Defence capability that has the lawful powers to investigate and prosecute any military personnel, MOD civilian, contractor or member of the public; none of the arms of the military police have such powers. The MDP Crime Command has and continues to identify internal and external threats to the MOD's people, assets and estates, and bring them to justice, whilst saving Defence millions closing risks and changing practices throughnlessons learnt. The removal of this independent civilian policing capability will support those within Defence, both military and senior civil servants, who seek to reduce independent transparency and scrutiny to sections of it when allegations or intelligence of criminality arises. The disbandment or reduction of the MDP Crime Command will only increase risks to UK Ministry of Defence from insider and external threat actors. Suggestions that the MDP Crime Command role can be filled by military police or a counter fraud capability, neither of which have the legislative framework to do so is at best naive and at worst helps the bad actors to continue to compromise the MOD's capabilities. For now, we'll done to those in Crime Command for securing overwhelming evidence that led to this criminal having no choice but to enter a guilty plea. Thank you for being the UK Ministry of Defence investigative capability and carry on going after those threats that others won't! #policing #operationalindependence #military British Army Civilian Workforce #transparency #duediligenge #Defence

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Today the Cabinet Office issued the latest news on the cross-government #SecureByDesign approach. The rollout of the Secure by Design approach across the thirty five organisations in Group 1 (ministerial departments, and arm’s length bodies with critical national infrastructure and/or a Top 75 service) is progressing at pace. Below I have compiled the #tldr snapshot: The Secure by Design newsletter for July 2024 outlines the progression of the Secure by Design initiative, highlighting the pivotal role of designated champions in implementing security measures across government organizations. It emphasizes the diverse starting points for each organization regarding security maturity and the tailored approaches taken to address those differences. Additionally, the newsletter introduces new resources to support successful implementation, alongside a call for senior-level advocacy to elevate the initiative's visibility and integration across various teams. Key Points > The Secure by Design Champions, nominated by senior leaders, are essential for driving the initiative's adoption in their respective organizations. > Kick-off meetings with champions have verified their understanding of the Secure by Design approach and addressed their questions. > Organizations exhibit varying levels of security maturity, and champions are working to adapt implementation activities to these unique circumstances. > Champions are establishing cross-functional working groups and conducting gap analyses to assess organizational readiness for Secure by Design principles. > New resources have been released, including a Self Assessment Tracker and a Preparation Checklist, to aid organizations in their Secure by Design implementation efforts. > Senior leaders are encouraged to actively support their Champions and advocate for the Secure by Design approach within their organizations. > The newsletter promotes upcoming communication initiatives, including blogs and webinars, aimed at raising awareness and providing additional guidance on Secure by Design.

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A BATTALION IN BURMA Second Suffolk in Arakan and at Imphal 1943-44 By Mark Fosdike This new volume from Mark Fosdike follows on after his earlier volume, ‘First Suffolk’ into Germany. The formula is tried and tested, and it makes for an informative and engaging read. The history is presented in an easily digestible format. Each chapter following a logical, chronological, and interesting narrative. The detailed personal accounts that punctuate and illustrate the campaign descriptions are presented in the simplest and therefore, most accessible format. Coupled with a generous array of photographs and an essential set of maps, this makes for an immediately absorbing history. The author’s emotional investment in the battalion and the surviving veterans is evident on every page. The result is a well-crafted, modular history that brings home the true nature of the infantryman’s war in Burma. The daily difficulties faced when attempting to take the war to a fanatical enemy who is completely at home in the hostile environment of the jungle are well articulated. The realities of soldiering amid the utterly unforgiving terrain, the relentlessly harsh climate and the omnipresent threat of disease are all brought home in this new battalion history. The Fourteenth Army is renowned as the Forgotten Army, the Second Suffolk story was one of the least well-known battalions in the Army’s too often overlooked campaign history. This newly published history brings Second Suffolk out of the shadow of the jungle canopy and puts the battalion in the foreground. This really is a good 360-degree history of the experiences of a very capable infantry battalion often operating at the limits of its endurance, fighting a fanatical and aggressive enemy in an equally hostile environment. Published by Pen & Sword, Hardback, pp 237, RRP £25.00 Review by Mike Peters

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The road to promotion in law enforcement is tough, especially with the NPPF (National Police Promotion Framework) exam on the horizon. Balancing demanding duties with exam prep isn’t easy. Red Snapper Learning (RSL) has developed a targeted NPPF revision programme to help officers succeed. Want to know how we’re making a difference for Hampshire Police? 👉 Read the full article on our website - https://lnkd.in/erAizEEU

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This is just the start, but it’s an important first step 👏 It’s critical for Defence and the Nation that we increase the number of A and T Level students boosting their digital skillls… Details in the link / post below. Digital Skills for Defence. #DS4D

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This is just the start, but it’s an important first step 👏 It’s critical for Defence and the Nation that we increase the number of A and T Level students boosting their digital skillls… Details in the link / post below. Digital Skills for Defence. #DS4D

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I very much enjoyed being back at the UK Defence Academy last week, this time presenting on an aspect of personal development to an audience of 200 senior military officers. The military has always taken education and training seriously, but it’s encouraging to see that leadership education now includes skills and considerations which may not have made the curriculum in the past. My focus on this occasion was how reflective practice, or more specifically, ‘reflective journalling’, along with humility and empathy, can be used to develop self awareness, improve performance, and to promote individual wellbeing and group cohesion. I am often asked which one habit can make the biggest difference to wellbeing and performance, and obviously this depends very much on the individual and their context, but all things being equal, regular reflective journalling would be right up there. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest”. (Confucius)

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UK Ministry of Defence launches new Defence Industrial Strategy. The Strategy will place deterrence at the heart of a new approach, to ensure adversaries know the UK has an industrial base that can innovate at a wartime pace. With global threats increasing, the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy will place deterrence at the heart of a new approach, to ensure adversaries know the UK has an industrial base that can innovate at a wartime pace. https://lnkd.in/e9X_dcfe #DualUse #SpaceTech

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📢 Having completed training at both the Police Gold/Strategic and Silver/Tactical levels in a multi-agency setting and receiving training as a CBRN(e) Gold Commander and a multi-agency liaison officer, A2Z Resilience Limited has decided to pursue accreditation for my bespoke Police Tactical Commanders (police TACOM) Course through CPD. 🚨 This TACOM training is uniquely designed to prepare senior operational staff for a future tactical commander role. Hopefully, This will offer a seamless transition from their current role to tactical - why wait until they are at the tactical level? 🚨It enhances the skills of tactical commanders for their current role and prepares them for the future as strategic commanders in their career progression. 🏆 The training will ensure continuity and integrity by aligning with UK Government Law, plans, good practice, and occupational standards. It will also incorporate the UK Doctrine of the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles.   Overview. Police Tactical Commanders can use this training opportunity to understand the requirements and expectations placed on them as their organisation's representative at the Tactical Level during a Major Incident, in either a single or multi-responder environment, instilling a sense of preparedness and competence.  Recognising the experience level, this course is designed to Introduce, Refresh, Advise, or Revise Operational or Tactical Staff and equip them with the practical knowledge needed to apply the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Framework. The discussion will examine ‘what went wrong and why’ through case studies while examining the objective recommendations. This approach fosters discussions on ‘what can we learn?’ from recent events.   Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, you will be able to: ➡ Understand the legal framework of the UK Government and recognise its concept of operations and principles of integrated emergency management (IEM). ➡ Confirm the tactical commander's role and responsibilities in response to an incident. ➡ Explore the challenges of Command, Control, Communication and Coordination. ➡ Be refreshed on applying the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles and the Joint/National Decision Model and recognise the importance of METHANE and other products that will support you whilst sharing and maintaining situational awareness by presenting the Common Operating Picture (COP). #a2zresilienceltd #police #lrf #emergency #jesip #crisis

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Have you seen our latest publication, the Leader Competency Framework (LCF)? The LCF is the next step in the evolution of British Army leadership, providing the foundation for the professionalisation of leadership as an organisational capability. Culminated upon a plethora of academic research, the LCF provides a roadmap for the through-career development of our leaders, tailored to meet the demands and challenges of a leader fighting and winning wars on land, now and in the future. The framework denotes the competencies required of a good leader, by separating them into what leaders are, what leaders know and what leaders do, tapping into and highlighting the importance of the ‘combination of character, knowledge and action that inspires others to succeed’ (Army Leadership Doctrine, 2021). The LCF is open-source and applicable to leaders operating in any organisation. Read it here: https://shorturl.at/4kSgi. #leadership #competency #LCF

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The British Army’s Leadership Framework provides the structure around which all Army leadership philosophies, doctrine and principles are framed. What Army Leaders Are: ✅Values-based ✅Maintain the highest standards ✅Exhibit exceptional behaviours ✅Responsible & influential What Army Leaders Know: ✅Themselves ✅Their people ✅Their profession What Army Leaders Do: ✅Develop themselves & others ✅Build effective teams ✅Achieve the task   How Army Leaders Do It: ✅Role model the Army’s values & standards ✅Balance task, team & individual needs ✅Create effective followership ✅Communicate effectively ✅Adapt their leadership style #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment  #LeaderDevelopment #Leader #Leaders #LeadershipTheory #Motivation #inspiration

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Even after 20 years in the background-checking industry, it never ceases to amaze me how frequently people falsify their backgrounds—it's just human nature. However, what is truly astonishing is that security-conscious organisations such as the police, continue to overlook basic vetting processes. In an era where reputable, accredited firms like Verifile Limited are readily available, it's perplexing that such failures persist. This recent case underscores this issue: Chief Constable Nick Adderley of Northamptonshire Police was dismissed for gross misconduct after lying about his naval career, falsely claiming his never-earned ranks and achievements. This failure in vetting has severely impacted public trust and highlights the urgent need for thorough and reliable background checks. Furthermore, a 2023 review by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which independently assesses police forces and policing, revealed that hundreds of UK police officers who should never have passed their background checks were recruited, exposing a systemic issue within the vetting process. This lack of proper vetting compromises public safety and erodes trust in our institutions. This incident resonates deeply with me, as a significant lapse by a global security firm inspired the founding of Verifile in 2004. At Verifile, we are proud that our Background Checking Services are accredited to the highest standards, including NSI Gold for BS7858 and the PBSA, ensuring utmost reliability and integrity. Gone are the days when an army of police officers was required to conduct thorough vetting. Through frameworks like G-Cloud, Northamptonshire Police and the Public Sector at large, can appoint Verifile in a day, streamlining their background-checking processes with efficiency and trustworthiness. Let’s not wait for another high-profile failure to highlight the need for stringent background checks. Fun Fact: Did you know that cases of falsifying qualifications date back to ancient times? Even in the 11th century, there were instances of scholars misrepresenting their credentials to gain positions of authority. Verifile’s G-Cloud listing: https://lnkd.in/eeJkM453 Chief constable who lied about navy career sacked: https://lnkd.in/eDyxMmS4 Hundreds of UK police officers should never have passed vetting: https://lnkd.in/ePsK6ZrJ HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland #BackgroundChecks #Security #Compliance #HR #Verifile

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Ex-military personnel have lots of transferrable skills that are of real value to organisations including problem solving and critical thinking. Solving problems with little or no backup from outside whilst assessing the correct course of action with incomplete information is a regular experience for the military. Why not see what a skilled individual with military experience could do for you? #leadership #teamwork #exmilitary #problemsolving

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With a military career which includes serving as Chief of Staff for NATO’s Joint Force Command, retired British Army Major General Gary Deakin promises to be be a fascinating guest for our next podcast! What would you like to ask Gary about leadership development? Do you have a question about leading—and learning—through crises? What can crises teach us about ourselves as leaders? Comment below for our 10-minute quick-fire Q&A session! For more information about Gary, please see his bio here #QandA #LeadershipPodcast #Podbites

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Looking forward to reading about the arguments in today’s House of Lords debate regarding the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. For some Army families, the utilisation of independent boarding schools is essential to ensure continuity of education. This means that operational effectiveness is not compromised, as the serving person is able to be mobilised, short notice, anywhere in the world that they are needed. Introduction of this tax would mean it is unaffordable for some families, which could ultimately mean that the serving person chooses to leave the Army. Today’s debate will highlight to the Government the dilemma that these families face if there is no form of mitigation for them.

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I've always impressed upon my staff to send routine reports and returns (and other 'asks') back to HHQ quickly and accurately. On many occasions this resulted in higher giving our unit the benefit of the doubt in other areas as they knew we put the time and effort in where other units provided the bare minimum while not providing an accurate picture. We bent over backwards for routine matters and filled every request we could, and when we legitimately said 'no' we backed it up with hard data and the impact it would have to the Unit and Brigade. It's not only knowing when to say no, it's about setting the conditions first so that you have the reputation to be believable, and then providing hard evidence. #ftgnotebook #leaderdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/dGW7kYxN

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With police ‘culture’ the focus of several reports and reviews, and a hot topic for conversation inside and outside the service, many UK forces have been re-examining their own internal cultures and looking for routes to improvement; Richie Maddock, an organisational development and cultural change specialist, explains the work he has been doing with Lincolnshire Police to help the force embark on its own culture journey. ❝The focus on culture was seen as being in the domain of theory or academic research and the complexities of the subject contributed to it being viewed by some as a ‘pink and fluffy’ area to be avoided.❞ ❝It was determined that the culture within the force was the common denominator that needed to change, so the force was asked the following question: what culture do you want to change it to?❞ ❝As a demonstration of the commitment of the leadership to the culture journey, the new-in-post chief was developing his force strategy – and one of the pillars of that strategy was ‘culture’.❞ ❝A culture that included, as a minimum, these five characteristics formed the cultural aspiration of the force and enabled further development activity to be built and actions measured.❞ ❝The unwritten rules can simply be described as the employees’ belief of ‘this is the way we do things here’. This perception is powerful enough to drive behavioural change in people, but often not openly spoken about.❞ ❝People’s perceptions can only be positively changed by positive ‘lived experiences’ – seeing, hearing and feeling something positive, rather than making an assumption, influenced by an unwritten rule that is negative.❞ ❝A culture alone can never guarantee that inappropriate or offensive behaviours, misogynistic cliques or basic poor leadership and management negatively impacting on morale and performance will not happen.❞ https://lnkd.in/eUd4pzBh #lawenforcement #policing #police #workculture #workforcedevelopment

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How Veterans in Politics Can Change Perceptions Join Tom Tugendhat MP as they share powerful stories that challenge perceptions of politicians, focusing on veterans who have served our nation. Discover how personal connections can foster trust and optimism in politics. Don't miss this insightful discussion on bridging gaps between service and political engagement! Listen to Veterans In Politics wherever you get your podcasts or here: https://lnkd.in/e8QHdHgu #Politics #Veterans #TrustBuilding #PoliticalEngagement #Optimism #Podcast #MilitaryService #CommunityConnection #PublicService #InspiringStories

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