The Situational Safety & Tactical Communications Experts
Susan Inness
Training Consultant
In 1991, English-born Susan Inness realised her childhood dream of becoming a police officer, joining Hampshire Police. While she officially left there in 2016, she spent five years working in New Zealand during that time, finally making the big move to New Zealand in 2014.
From Police Constable in 1991 she reached Sergeant rank in 2002. As a Sergeant, she supervised frontline staff in the busy Naval City of Portsmouth and ran a custody block between the two cities of Portsmouth and Southampton.
When she arrived in New Zealand, her first role was in the custody block of Counties Manukau Police Station and the neighbouring Court Cells, where she had to put all of her tactical communication skills into action.
In 2015, Susan took up the role of Tactical Options Trainer for the NZ Police based at the Auckland Firearms Range where she taught tactical communication, threat assessment, firearms, baton, cuffs, OC spray, unarmed defence tactics (including ground defence) and Taser. She also taught various practical tactical training such as room clearance, high risk vehicle stops and active armed offender drills.
Always keen to enhance her knowledge and skills, Susan completed the NZQA level 5 Adult Education Tertiary Teaching certificate in 2019 - very useful in helping to identify and meet the needs of different types of learners. This builds on her experience in the UK Police where she was a Workplace Dyslexia Assessor which taught her how to identify dyslexics among student groups and make the appropriate adjustments needed for them get the most out of all training sessions.
“Being a frontline officer meant having to have excellent communication skills in order to diffuse potentially dangerous situations and satisfactory self-defence skills in order to protect myself and others when tactical communication failed on occasions. These are the skills and life lessons I really enjoy imparting to others.”
Susan is based in Auckland and can be contacted on
027 555 0558 or susan.inness@cert.co.nz.
"I just wanted to say thanks for the great course you delivered to us. All our rangers who attended thoroughly enjoyed the three days and say it was the best course they have ever attended."
"The feedback from our staff indicates they have benefitted greatly from the course. There has been an overwhelming appreciation for the manner in which you conducted the course and presented all content. The staff also expressed their appreciation that all material presented was relevant to their day to day duties."
"I notice after the training that the team are much more confident in dealing with conflict situations and I have seen a great improvement in interaction between them in multiple officer situations."
"I congratulate you on the course you have just run for HBRC. I have never heard so many positive comments about a course, and particularly a conflict management course. It was the first course where everyone who attended has recommended the course. HBRC will continue to use your services."
"This course has the power to be life-changing. The techniques taught have already been of significant assistance to me at home with my children. I’m a much happier person now at work and at home, and I feel well-equipped to be able to effectively communicate and manage conflict both personally and professionally."
"Awesome course. Very relevant, interesting and informative. I will definitely use this very valuable information. It made me feel more comfortable in my job."
