Detective Sergeant Kenny Reeves

“As a teenager, I never thought I’d end up joining the police service. I spent most of my time playing sports, as a striker on Norwich City youth football team. However, I decided to get a university degree in business studies before becoming a secondary school business studies teacher. I enjoyed teaching but after four years I realised I wanted a new career, that would really develop my skills and challenge me in new ways. 

“That’s when I came across Police Now’s then newly-launched National Detective Programme and realised it was the challenge I was looking for. I joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 2019 via the programme and trained across a variety of investigative units, including in the sexual offences, child abuse, and acquisitive crime teams.

“I acted as the Officer in Charge on a domestic abuse case during that time; the victim had been in an abusive relationship for over 30 years before she felt able to seek support, having been subjected to repeat controlling behaviour which had a huge impact on her mental and physical health. Thanks to the investigation and conviction, the offender was given a restraining order, which he has not breached since. Seeing the positive impact on the victim was one of the most rewarding moments of my early career. Her life has completely turned around.

“When I moved onto the force’s Serious Crime team in Cambridge, I led an investigation into an attempted murder and kidnap. A man had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck before his attacker threatened and kidnapped a passing driver to help him flee the scene. Thankfully, the victim made a full recovery after emergency life-saving care was provided at the hospital.

“We interviewed the suspect, carried out house-to-house enquiries, issued a public appeal, and used evidence from CCTV cameras in the area to identify and locate the suspect. The suspect claimed that the victim was lying to frame him and had actually stabbed themself. However, we brought in an expert who was able to refute this based on the nature of the injury and medical record. In the end, the suspect pleaded guilty to kidnap, wounding with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to life in jail, which reflected the seriousness of his crimes. I was pleased to receive a Superintendent’s Commendation for the successful and thorough investigation, which removed a dangerous man from the streets and ensured justice for the victim.

“Whilst on that team, I also led an investigation into a dangerous stalker. He subjected his former girlfriend to a campaign of harassment, sending threatening messages to her whilst posing as someone else and trying to frighten her into restarting their relationship – even setting her car on fire. Officers escorted the victim to a safe place whilst we tracked down and investigated the offender, who was handed a restraining order and jailed for three years.

“I joined the force for a new challenge, that would really stretch me. Having started my policing career with Police Now and seen the quality training and networks they provide, I decided to apply to their Frontline Leadership Programme in 2022 – which supports constables to develop leadership skills and navigate the sergeant promotion process. Thanks to the support offered, I was promoted to sergeant rank in July 2023. 

“I have recently moved into the Fraud and Cyber Crime team as a detective sergeant, where I oversee large scale fraud investigations and the cyber investigators.

“My policing career has certainly pushed me to develop as a leader and to take on meaningful and impactful work. I would certainly encourage others to consider joining the service and support your local communities as a detective.”