Vinod Wagjiani 

National Police Lead

Vinod Wagjiani is a Detective Inspector with Kent Police.

Vinod graduated with a BMedSci in Dental Technology from Sheffield University and an MSc in Forensic Archaeology from University College London. In 2000, He was invited to work for Kalagate Imagery Bureau as a Forensic Imagery Analyst, where he prepared and provided expert evidence on CCTV Analysis and Facial Mapping.

In 2002, he joined the Metropolitan Police. Having trained at Hendon he was posted to Brent Borough, where he learnt his craft in operational policing. He was recruited to CID early on in his service and achieved Detective status within 12 months. During his time in the Metropolitan Police, he has also worked in the Community Safety Unit, Burglary and Robbery Unit and the Murder Team. 

In 2009, Vinod joined the Major Crime Team at Surrey Police and was later promoted to Custody Sergeant, working in a high-risk environment. Following his time in custody, he moved over to Public Protection covering Domestic Abuse, Vulnerable Adult Abuse and Child Abuse. He then moved to the Complex Abuse Unit, where he dealt with the force's most high-risk cases.

During his time in Surrey Police Force, he was elected to the Local Police Federation and the Surrey Police Custody Federation Lead where he supports members, particularly in custody-related matters, including Post Incident Procedures. 

Having completed an extensive period of time in frontline operational policing, he then became the staff officer for a Chief Police Officer where he covered local policing matters which included custody. He worked at a national level supporting the Chief Police Officer with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Custody Portfolio and has been influential in modern practices developed within the Custody arena.

In addition to police-related work, Vinod is the event organiser for a charity event called Light the Lakes, which is dedicated to the remembrance of police officers who have died on duty. He is also a trustee and treasurer for a local charity called Men’s Shed Horsham supporting the board in developing the charity’s longevity and purpose within the community. 

Vinnod is a Governor for a West Sussex School, contributing to the Governing Body and providing Police insight into issues raised in meetings. 

Vinod is most passionate about his mentoring and coaching which he enjoys delivering to people and is looking to develop a structured framework for schools to help children become the leader they can be.