Our People

Gerrard Amadeo (Gez)

Gez is an experienced specialist investigative skills trainer, specialising in the training of Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs) of Major, and Serious and Organised Crime investigation. He has a level 7 PgCHPE academic qualification; and has designed, written, prepared, and delivered investigative training provision to PCDA and DHEP new recruits, PIP2 Investigators, PIP2 Supervisors and Managers, and PIP3 SIOs; as well as CPD delivery and seminars to SIOs; CPS and partner agencies. As West Midlands Police training lead for the SIO Development Programme, Gez was instrumental in obtaining the CoP licence to deliver this prestigious learning programme, delivering learning to over 40 senior investigators.

A former police officer with 30 years’ experience, including over 20 years' experience of leading serious and complex crime investigation and attaining the rank of Detective Inspector. Gez has extensive experience leading teams within Major Investigation departments and Homicide. He has led investigations at local, regional, national and international levels, working within West Midlands Force CID, the Major Crime Review Team; and has been a lead investigator of over 60 homicides. As a qualified PIP3 Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Gez has had responsibility for serious and complex investigations including, murder; armed robbery; series and serial offending; as well as firearms related criminality, kidnap and extortion; and gang related crime. This wealth of investigative experience is supported by undertaking reviews of unsolved murders and cold case enquiries; roles as investigative lead and management of Intelligence for a number of major events within the West Midlands area; representation at Serious Case Reviews; and the development and implementation of organisational investigative policy and strategy.

Karen Cody (Katie)

Katie is a former West Midlands Police Officer with 30 years policing experience, with the majority of her exemplary service being as a PIP2 accredited detective investigator. She has been within the training environment since 2013; having obtained her Diploma in Education and Training from Worcester University. Katie has designed, written and delivered investigative training across the breadth of investigative skills; PIP2 Investigators, PIP2 Supervisors and Managers and PIP3 SIOs. She has developed specialist training skills in the covert policing arena; training some of the most complex and sensitive policing tactics. Her knowledge and skills have seen Katie stand as the ROCU representative at the National Board for Covert Policing. Katie is a qualified Specialist Suspect Interview Trainer; and has developed and delivered numerous specialist training programmes to investigators across the Midlands region.

Katie’s operational policing experiences are within the spheres of both overt and covert policing. She has led many serious and complex crime investigations, developing and implementing complex investigative strategies and deploying and managing resources in some of the most sensitive policing arenas. Her skills as an Investigator and as a trainer have received high acclaim, award and commendation.

Ian Iliffe

Ian is a former police officer with 30 years’ experience. He is a qualified level 3 investigative trainer, specialising in the training of Senior Investigating Officers (SIOs) in both Major and Serious and Organised Crime arenas. He has delivered high quality training provision, specifically relating to the investigation of Homicide, to the Forensic Science Regulator’s Conference; Universities; SIO CPD events; the SIO Annual Conference; as well as seminars and training programmes at the College of Policing, West Midlands Police Detective Academy, and individual Forensic Science provider organisations.

Ian is an accredited PIP3 SIO, experienced in the investigation of complex criminal cases, including murder and organised crime, and investigations at both national and international levels. He has extensive experience in the review of unsolved murders under investigation and cold case enquiries. Ian has led a team of highly qualified officers in the management of domestic abuse within a community safety environment, with a lead role within MARAC and MAPPA processes. Ian has represented West Midlands Police as a panel member at Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHR) and as an SIO, having investigated a number of domestic related homicides.​

As Force champion for investigative interviewing; both witness and suspect disciplines; and for Family Liaison, Ian has delivered invaluable learning to investigators at all levels.

Ian has a wide range of further investigative experience, including the investigation of serious incidents within the NHS; undertaking complex investigations in that setting on behalf of the Coroner; and investigations for a leading Health Regulator.