Andy Read: Human Resources (HR) Business Partner CPS London,Thames & Chiltern
I have spent much of my working life involved with the Criminal Justice System (CJS), spending 18 years within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and now 2 years with Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The last four years of my time in the MPS was spent as Personnel Manager in Camden Borough Operational Command Unit, which was great fun, but to further develop my career I moved on to work with a couple of local authorities in London as a Departmental Head of HR. I couldn't stay away from the CJS for long though and after 5 years in local government I took up the role of HR Business Partner for the CPS in 2006.
...what attracted me to the CPS specifically was the potential that the organisation has to make a difference in the community
Already an HR professional, what attracted me to the CPS specifically was the potential that the organisation has to make a difference in the community. My experience on jury service at the Old Bailey, on a 13 week multi handed murder trial, strengthened this attraction. The buzz from being involved in such a dramatic, tragic, yet utterly compelling environment made me realise how much I wanted to get back into the Criminal Justice Service.
There is nothing like the atmosphere and drama of when a high profile or significant case reaches its conclusion, particularly when you have invested so much into it. For me, in HR, I can't really claim to have made direct investment in the prosecution of a case, but by association and by being busy in the background, I like to think I do my bit for the Criminal Justice Service and society. Therefore I sometimes allow myself to get immersed into the drama of events!
As an HR Business Partner the key priorities in my role are to progress the People Strategy at Area and Group level and to support Group Management Teams in their people and performance planning. Additionally I'm responsible for specific programmes arising from the People Strategy and for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the HR Department.
This translates into a typical day or working week that would see me working on projects or initiatives that improve the behind the scenes HR machinery. Although often unnoticed at the sharp end this makes a significant difference to the running of the business and in turn to people's lives. As is often the case, I am in a position where nobody should notice me as long as things are going well and that suits me!
Other parts of my role will see me frequently support Senior Managers dealing with complex and tricky HR issues that arise in their Group or Area. I also support these same managers with the business planning that accompanies new initiatives being launched or when performance gaps have been identified.
Over my time within the organisation I have come to regard the CPS as an excellent employer with lots of opportunities to work flexibly and make a direct contribution to the criminal justice service.
However, work can occasionally be tough on our staff as we deal with some very difficult and emotive issues and, quite rightly, the public expect us to do this excellently. However, our people do it because they believe in it and gain genuine satisfaction from doing their job well. This all contributes to a unique identity that we all buy into and it is that, along with a good salary and reward package that makes it a personally and professionally rewarding environment within this organisation.
