A retired Detective Inspector with three decades of policing experience across safeguarding, public protection and Major Crime investigation, and a nationally recognised Family Liaison subject matter expert and PIP3 Senior Investigating Officer.
Family Liaison Subject Matter Expert, Major Crime PIP3 SIO, Major Crime Review Officer, DVI Family Liaison, Work-Related Death Investigation, UK and International Training
Experience:
30 years in policing, including 9 years in Major Crime Investigation and as Force Review Officer advising SIOs and reviewing cold case homicides, preceded by 6 years in the Royal Air Force. Now an international independent consultant training police, the NHS, Air Ambulance charities, the Homicide Service, BRAKE and other related charities.
Steve is a retired Detective Inspector with three decades of distinguished and wide-ranging policing experience, spanning safeguarding, public protection, and Major Crime investigation.
As a PIP3-accredited Senior Investigating Officer, he led or contributed to more than 120 murder, manslaughter, and work-related death investigations. His extensive collaboration with partner enforcement agencies on complex corporate and gross negligence manslaughter cases has established him as a recognised subject matter expert in work-related death enquiries and investigative reviews.
In his role as Force Review Officer, Steve provided critical support to fellow Senior Investigating Officers across Major Crime, Serious and Organised Crime, and other specialist investigative areas. He conducted independent statutory reviews and led cold case examinations involving undetected homicides, organised criminality, and Criminal Cases Review Commission referrals.
For over a decade, Steve served as both the force and regional lead for Family Liaison, overseeing capability across five police forces and ensuring the South West region was fully prepared to respond to any incident or investigation, including terrorism and mass-fatality events. During this period, he also sat on the Family Liaison National Executive Board (FLNEB), helping to shape and maintain national guidance and capability for all 43 UK police forces, the armed forces, the IOPC, and the FCDO. He also assisted in the writing of the current APP Family Liaison national guidance.
Steve has supported investigations into mass-disaster and terrorism incidents both within the UK and overseas, and remains a trusted source of advice for serving Senior Investigating Officers, Family Liaison Coordinators, and Family Liaison Officers.
Now working as an independent consultant and Family Liaison Subject Matter Expert, Steve regularly delivers specialist training to police forces across the UK and internationally, as well as to the NHS and Air Ambulance organisations. He provides bespoke training to Roads Policing Teams on Family Liaison practice, bereavement, and engagement with next of kin, and delivers CPD programmes for charity caseworkers and Ministry of Justice-affiliated organisations.
In addition, Steve trains police and partner enforcement agencies in the complexities of work-related death investigations, drawing on his extensive operational experience and national-level expertise.
My consulting philosophy is rooted in the belief that the most effective investigations and the most meaningful support to families come from professionalism anchored in humanity. After thirty years in policing - spanning Major Crime, safeguarding, public protection, work-related death investigation, and national-level Family Liaison leadership - I have learned that expertise matters, but integrity, clarity, and compassion matter just as much.
I approach every organisation, investigation, and training environment with three core principles:
Complex cases demand disciplined thinking, structured decision-making, and uncompromising standards. My philosophy is to bring clear, evidence-based reasoning to every review or training environment, ensuring organisations understand not only what to do, but why it matters.
I aim to strengthen investigative capability by sharing practical, operationally tested methods that improve outcomes, reduce risk, and enhance organisational confidence.
Whether dealing with bereaved families, victims, next of kin, or professionals under pressure, I believe that empathy is not an optional extra - it is a professional requirement.
My approach emphasises dignity, respect, and communication that is both honest and supportive. This philosophy underpins all my Family Liaison training, ensuring practitioners understand grief, trauma, and the human impact of their work.
I see my role as helping organisations become stronger, more capable, and more confident. That means working alongside police forces, healthcare providers, charities, and enforcement agencies as a partner, not a critic.
My philosophy is to demystify complex investigative and liaison processes, build sustainable capability, and leave teams better equipped to handle the most challenging situations - from work-related deaths to mass-fatality incidents.
In essence, I believe in delivering expertise with humility, guidance with clarity, and training that is grounded in real experience.
Counter Terrorism, Investigation and Modern Slavery Consultant - Senior Associate, Subject Matter Expert and Trainer.
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