Detective Chief Inspector graduates while tackling multiple homicide investigations

A Detective Chief Inspector who has tackled numerous homicides and serious crimes at Greater Manchester Police will graduate with a Masters in Criminal Investigation from the University of Derby today (July 15, 2016).

Howard Millington, 49, is also a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) within the Major Incident Team at Greater Manchester Police.

He has received many commendations for outstanding police work and investigation and, in 2012, set up Operation Rutland. He led his team to investigate and tackle a series of armed robberies across the force and region, for which Howard and his team won the 2013 Chief Constables Excellence Awards for team work.

Howard said: “I’m still as passionate about the job as I was when I joined in 1991. Therefore I wanted to continue to develop my professional skills and, having successfully completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Policing and Police Studies some years ago, doing a Masters seemed like the next logical step. This course has assisted with my professional skills as an officer and in my current role which primarily involves homicide and other serious crime investigation.

“The three-day structure of study including the weekends allowed me to study without too much disruption at work and was, in fact, the unique selling point for my selection of the University of Derby as opposed to other universities offering the same course.

“The University and excellent support I received from staff in particular Dr David Hicks and Dr David Walsh, made it possible for me to achieve a Masters, despite holding down a full-time, very demanding role.”

Howard is also a trained Major Crime Review Officer and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Authorising Officer.

Dr David Hicks, Programme Leader for the Masters in Criminal Investigation, at the University of Derby, said: “Howard provides a clear example of the benefits for practitioners in studying on the Masters in Criminal Investigation. 

"Howard's dissertation research addressed disclosure requirements under the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) 1996 with practitioners involved in homicide and serious crime investigations. The research prompted an impact, the development of a joint approach between the force area and lawyers to support practitioners in their understanding and application of CPIA and related aspects.”

Howard added: “I feel a huge sense of pride and achievement to be graduating today. I now plan to utilise the skills I developed during my course to deliver the best possible service to victims of crime and assist in the development of less experienced officers I have the pleasure to serve with.”

Howard was among more than 2,000 students who graduated from the University of Derby this week.