ABOUT US
Raising Standards
Strengthening Practice
Transforming Investigations
The Investigations Academy exists to elevate the quality, confidence and consistency of investigative practice across policing and public-sector organisations. We bring together decades of frontline experience, specialist knowledge, and modern learning design to deliver training that is practical, credible, and immediately useable in the real world.
Our mission is simple: empower investigators at every level to do their best work, ethically, effectively, and with clarity.
Who We Are
We are a team of seasoned investigators, supervisors, and subject-matter specialists who have worked across major crime, safeguarding, intelligence, professional standards, and complex casework. We’ve seen first-hand the pressure that investigators face.
We know the gaps that slow them down, and the skills that truely make a difference. The Investigations Academy was created to close those gaps. Combining operational expertise with engaging, psychologically safe training environments where delegates feel supported, challenged, and equipped to grow.
What We Do
We design and deliver high-impact investigative training for individuals, teams, and organisations. Our approach blends real-world credibility, clear communication, and modern learning methods to ensure every session lands with purpose.
Our Experience
Our trainers and consultants bring:
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Decades of operational policing experience across a wide range of investigative disciplines.
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National-level training expertise, including curriculum design and delivery.
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A proven track record of improving investigative outcomes, team performance and delegate confidence.
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A people-first approach, ensuring every learnerd feels supported, respected, and able to contribute.
Our Founder
Simon O'Brien
Simon O’Brien is a highly respected former senior police leader with more than three decades of operational, investigative, and executive experience.
Simon spent over 30 years as a police officer in the Metropolitan Police Service before retiring as a Chief Officer. He then spent a number of years as the deputy inspector at the Garda Inspectorate, ensuring the effectiveness of the police service in Ireland, An Garda Síochána, by inspecting, reviewing and reporting on their operations. Following this he took on the role of the Executive Chair at the Police Ombudsman for Ireland.
For the last 10 years, Simon has worked as a strategic advisor in complex and fragile environments, supporting governments, police forces and security agencies across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as establishing The Investigations Academy.
He brings unparalleled expertise in leadership, investigations, oversight, and organisational improvement, all grounded in a lifelong commitment to public service and safer communities.
Our Associates
Chris
Donaldson
Former Chief Inspector
Chris is a highly commended public order and firearms expert with over 30 years of operational policing experience. A former member of the Met’s Territorial Support Group and Specialist Firearms Command, he contributed to the 2011 London Riots response, and played a key role in the 2012 Olympic Games Command Team. Since retiring, Chris has become a sought-after police script advisor for major TV productions and has provided personal security for a range of celebrities including George Clooney and Pippa Middleton. Chris is also a specialist trainer in public order, PREVENT, and leadership.
Specialities: Firearms, Public Order
David
Willis
Former Detective Inspector
David is an accomplished PIP3 Senior Investigating Officer with extensive experience in murder investigations, serious crime, the Flying Squad, and Counter Terrorism Command. Known for his meticulous investigative approach, he has led numerous complex homicide enquiries and major operations across London. David continues to train detectives, sharing his deep operational insight and investigative expertise. He also works in education welfare.
Specialities: PIP 3, SIO Counter Terrorism, Flying Squad, Murder Investigations
Nicky
Arrowsmith
Former Detective Superintendent
Nicky is a highly experienced senior detective with a career spanning major crime, safeguarding, public protection, and counter terrorism. As Head of CID, she led complex investigations involving vulnerability, gang violence, firearms, and serious sexual offences. A PIP3 SIO and Tier 3/5 interviewer, she has chaired MARAC and MAPPA panels, drive multi-agency safeguarding strategies, and delivered leadership across multiple London boroughs. Nicky is also an experienced promotion assessor and developing educator.
Specialities: PIP3, Safeguarding
Paul
Kemp
Former Detective Superintendent
Paul is a PIP3 and PIP4 accredited senior investigator with an exceptional track record in homicide, kidnap, serious sexual offences, and counter-terrorism. As Head of Major Crime in South Wales, he led over 100 murder investigations and contributed to national policy through the ACOP homicide Working Group. Paul was the Principle Adviser to Dyfed Powys Police following the abduction and murder of April Jones, He has also been deployed internationally alongside specialist teams including to Annecy, France, where he advised to Gendarmerie following the murders and attempted murders of five members of a British family. Paul is also a qualified trainer delivering advanced investigative development globally.
Specialities: PIP 3 & 4, Murder Investigations
Trevor
Borley
Former Detective Inspector
Trevor is a specialist in child abuse investigations, child death enquiries, and serious crime, with over 32 years of investigative experience. As a detective inspector, he led the MPS Crime Academy’s Investigation Faculty and delivered national programmes including the Detective Inspectors Course and the Child Death Investigations Course. With Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training and extensive L&D experience, Trevor is a respected trainer, known for his clarity, empathy, and operational credibility. He also holds a level 3 qualification in assessing.
Specialities: Child Abuse Investigations, Senior Trainer
Russell
Taylor
Former Detective Chief Inspector
Russell is an experienced PIP3 Senior Investigating Officer with extensive experience as a Senior Detective. He has led and managed a large number of complex homicide and other serious crime investigations, including two double murder enquiries. Some of these enquiries necessitated working closely in the UK and abroad, with law enforcement in France and Romania. He has a strong background in Family Liaison and was a trained Family Liaison Coordinator for which he was asked to present at the National Senior Investigating Officers Conference in the UK, as well as to a cohort of European Senior Detectives at The Hague. Russell, working with the Investigations Academy, continues to help train detectives.
Specialities: PIP 3 SIO, Family Liaison, Murder and Serious Crime Investigation.
Pauline
O'Brien
Communications Director
Pauline O’Brien is a director of communications with over 30 years of communications and engagement experience within both the public and private sectors. Pauline started her career in central government communications before joining the Metropolitan Police Service where she spent nearly ten years. Since then she has worked within the rail and utilities sectors as well as in the NHS. She is a director and associate trainer at The Investigations Academy.
Specialising in crisis communications, she has devised, tested and implemented crisis and major incident communications plans for many large organisations during her career and led the communications response to many major and critical incidents.
She has been delivering media and communications training as part of an investigative strategy to senior police detectives for five years and additionally works with clients in the private sector to coach their spokespeople ahead of media appearances.
Pauline is passionate about the value of using communications as a tool to make communities safer by helping the public understand, and so have confidence in, the work of the police and their partner agencies.
You can contact her via LinkedIn or email her at The Investigations Academy
Specialties: Corporate communications, crisis communications, media training