Phil joined Northumbria Police in 1995 where he started his career as a probationer in rural Northumberland before taking the first step into a detective role in the west-end of Newcastle.

From there, Phil has specialised most of his career in a safeguarding capacity and is fully committed to protecting those most vulnerable in our society. He has progressed through the ranks from Detective Constable to Detective Chief Inspector where he has worked in specialist areas across the region including, child protection, rape investigation, domestic violence and the management of violent and sex offenders.

He now leads the Complex Abuse Investigation Unit within the Force’s Safeguarding department which investigates specialist cases involving some of the most vulnerable victims. Phil’s team oversees investigations of sexual abuse, exploitation, human trafficking and modern day slavery.

In his 24 year career, Phil has worked on a number of high-profile cases and has helped put away some of the region’s most dangerous offenders.

As a trained hostage and critical incident negotiator and senior investigating officer (SIO), Phil most certainly brings his unique expertise to the table and talks passionately about the importance of protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

I trained in Paediatrics in Dublin before switching to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Newcastle upon Tyne.

I have worked with a wide range of children and adolescents with mental health problems, in the community and as in-patients and developed a special interest in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This led to a clinic for adults with the condition.

I have been a court expert witness for criminal and family cases, a Trustee of child charities, and am involved in a number of research projects in Newcastle University.

I am currently Lead Consultant for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Northumberland and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Newcastle University.