Nicholas Mills

Lecturer

School of Justice, Security and Sustainability

I am a lecturer in the Institute of Policing with a background in the investigation of serious and complex, and major crime having retired from West Midlands Police after 30 years’ service at the end of 2021.

I started in Policing in 1991 and within 5 years was working in the homicide team as a qualified detective. After several years working in homicide, in the main as a specialist intelligence operative, I moved into the cold case review team where I reviewed unsolved live homicide investigations and historic unsolved homicide and stranger rape cases.

The review work was where I developed my interest in the decision-making process within serious and major crime investigations. Being lucky enough to review, and bring to court, cases dating back as far as 1967 I have been able to access the investigative decision-making process across half a century of unsolved cases.

More recently I have worked in the Investigative training department where I was promoted to lead a team of 20 detectives delivering investigative training to new recruits, new detectives and senior detectives within the force. While in this role I completed my post graduate certificate in higher and professional education with Staffordshire University.

I joined the Institute of Policing in January 2022.

Professional memberships and activities

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Academic qualifications

  • Post Graduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education (Distinction), Staffordshire University

Expertise

  • Investigation of Serious and Complex and Major Crime
  • Disclosure and Case Management
  • Decision Making Process within Serious and Major Crime Investigation

Research interests

  • Decision making in Serious and Complex, and Major Crime Investigations
  • Historic and Cold Case Review
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021