A WEST Mercia Police job advert which specifically encourages “retired detectives” to apply has been criticised.

The advert, which promotes vacancies for police staff investigators in Redditch, Worcester and Kidderminster, has been labelled “bringing the past back” by a police staff association.

Paul Ford, secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales’ National Detectives Forum, said: “Ultimately forces have to satisfy themselves that they have the right number of officers in the right places but I do have major concerns around this move.

“We should be looking at developing officers who are already in the service and not bringing back the past.

“We need to ensure that officers undertaking these critical roles have the relevant experience.

“If they have not been undergoing continuous professional development over the past three years then the value they can add will be limited and ultimately it is their colleagues and the public who will yet again bear the brunt.

“Policing moves on at an extremely fast pace and if retired officers haven’t been in policing for some time then there will be a need for investment in training to ensure they are relevant and current.

“Essentially this is all around austerity measures and further cuts to services.

“Forces are being left in desperate situations, having to manage difficult futures with increased demands set against fewer officers.”

A spokesman for West Mercia Police however defended the approach.

He said: "These are temporary posts that are mainly for our important protecting vulnerable people work.

“Special skills are required and it makes sense to direct recruitment at people with those skills. The roles have also been advertised internally."

The full job advert, which is posted at servoca-police.com, reads: “West Mercia Police require a number of police staff investigators across the force area within local reactive CID departments as well as areas of major crime.

“If you are a recently retired detective please send a CV in word to srs@servoca.com.

“We currently have a number of vacancies in Redditch, Worcester and Kidderminster.”