Now in its 21st year, the NPCC Homicide Working Group will return to Leeds to host the 2024 National Conference for Senior Investigating Officers.

 Following the success of last year, this well established and hugely popular conference will again be a hybrid event, with SIOs coming together again in person as well as providing virtual engagement opportunities for all who want to be involved but can’t make the venue.

With a renewed focus on homicide prevention and prediction, together with the ever-growing complexity of offending, partnership engagement and investigative response, the focus of this year’s conference is ‘Working with Others in a Complex Environment.’

Attendees will hear from a broad range of expert guest speakers who will present on some of the most challenging investigations undertaken in recent years. This year’s case studies will include:

• Operation Hummingbird – Investigation into Murders carried out by Nurse Lucy Letby at Countess of Chester Hospital
• Operation Tapir – Investigation into a murder carried out in another country using recent legislation.
• Operation Rudas – Homicide Investigation carried out in a challenging operating environment involving multiple international challenges
• Operation Vaselike – Investigation into a Terrorist attack involving multiple agencies
• Operation Cowlitz – How does a Television documentary sit alongside a Homicide Investigation to ensure a successful outcome for both.
• Operation Colney – Help with a currently unsolved investigation that has had a number of experts involved.

In addition to the case studies this year there will also be a number of updates on investigative developments, techniques and learning from various experts / agencies which will ensure that SIOs gain knowledge of the latest learning and developments available to maximise their investigations.

Why should you attend?

SIOs perform one of the most challenging roles in policing and are under high levels of scrutiny both locally and nationally. It is critical those undertaking this role keep abreast of the latest investigative developments and techniques. Police forces are encouraged to support both current and aspiring SIOs to attend this highly regarded conference as part of their continuing professional development.

We will also be also presenting the highly prestigious awards of - Investigation of the Year; SIO of the Year and Police Staff Investigator of the Year during the Conference and would invite nominations for these. More information on the awards and how to nominate can be found on the event website.

This year’s programme delivers an abundance of opportunities to learn from senior investigating officers, police leaders and experts about complex and high-profile investigations.

The conference aims to deliver an inspiring investigative insight into cases, with a particular emphasis on learning and continuous improvement which will provide you with frameworks, best practice and opportunities to develop key support networks for current and future investigations.

*Please note some of the conferences sessions themselves may be closed with access to law enforcement only. However, there will be many opportunities for delegates to network with exhibitors.