As a former Detective Sergeant in Cheshire Police, Fiona has over 30 years of investigation experience specialising in the investigation of serious and complex crime, sexual offences, and public protection. She has a wealth of experience in multi-agency safeguarding investigations and has worked collaboratively with relevant agencies such as Social Services, Healthcare trusts and local authorities.

During her police service Fiona specialised as qualified police trainer and transferred her knowledge and experience into teaching and developing detectives of all ranks. She led the Investigative Skills Training Unit where she managed a team of detectives and designed and delivered specialised investigative skills courses and development programmes in line with the National Occupational Standards.  She also represented Cheshire Police on the National Investigative Training Steering Group and on the Northwest Regional Investigative Interviewing Steering Group to assist in developing strategy and direction for the future of both.

She has most recently worked as a freelance trainer and consultant. This includes specialist training delivery for several police forces, training for government and private industry, and teaching call centre agents’ communication skills.

She is passionate about investigative interviewing and specialises in the interviewing of vulnerable witnesses, children and victims of sexual offences and understands the importance of trauma informed investigations. Fiona is also an interview advisor/consultant and can formulate interview strategies that best suit the situation and the interviewee.  She has widened her investigative roles to include non-criminal cases. The most recent cases have been as an investigator for HR complaints within the Higher Education arena which include complaints of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct within the workplace.

Upon police retirement she undertook a full time BSc Psychology degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and graduated with a first-class honours award. She focussed on Forensic Psychology and in particular her passion for investigative interviewing and blended her learning by incorporating psychology into the art of investigation.