A former council officer who helped Croydon recover from the riots begins work as a superintendent in Brighton and Hove today.
James Collis, who worked for Croydon Borough Council when the riots hit there in 2011, began an 18-month direct entry course in 2013 and has been working in Avon and Somerset for the past year.
However living and growing up near Horsham, Sussex is where his heart and family lies. He has transferred to the force for the last eight months of his training and will be based in Brighton.
The 37-year-old grew up in Sussex attending schools in Handcross, Hurstpierpoint and Horsham before leaving for university in 1999.
After graduating he landed a job in local government in Croydon working in the social care and housing, then as the head of emergency planning, business continuity and security, before moving back to the housing department as a strategic programme manager.
He said: “I worked with the police in my role at the council and I always found there was a deep vein of public spirit which runs through policing and they genuinely care and want to make a positive difference to the communities they work for and within.
“After a year now in policing, I hope to be able to make the move smoothly in to Sussex and to help the force through the changes and challenges ahead.
James has loved his first year in policing working across Avon and Somerset, including some time in Bristol which has similarities with Brighton as well as in more rural parts of the force area but is looking forward to working in in area he knows and has strong links to.
“My family is here, it’s nice to be closer to them and support them better, as well as potentially have a little more involvement in plans for my wedding next year. I know the Brighton area and have friends who live and work in the city.”
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp said: “I and colleagues are looking forward to welcoming James. Brighton and Hove will provide James with a wealth of experiences and challenges and I am conscious that we are experiencing a different and changing time in policing and someone with James’s expertise and experience can be valuable and strengthen us further.”
Chief Constable Giles York said: “I’m pleased to welcome James and wish him every success in Brighton and Hove where he will support their progressive development in modernising the police force.
“I believe James will offer fresh perspectives on our challenges and bring innovation to our plans for years to come. He will be given support to equip him with his already developing new skills to be able to support the communities in Sussex.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne added: “The direct entry programme is designed to attract exceptional leaders into the police service.
“As a board member on the College of Policing, I was invited to observe the interviews for finalist Direct Entry candidates at the National Assessment Centre last year. I was hugely impressed both with the scenarios provided and the calibre of the candidates.
“This is a wonderful achievement for James and I am looking forward to following his career with Sussex Police.”
