Dog groomer helps crack murder cases

Donna Vaughan has had the chance to pursue two of her dream careers

A dog groomer who grew up with a love of TV police shows has trained to become a special constable in the West Midlands Police homicide unit.

Donna Vaughan, from Coventry, now wants to combine her two passions by going out on patrol with the force's dogs.

Her work on murder investigations, involving scouring CCTV footage, has already led to convictions.

"To know that I've been a part of that, and I've managed to put that person away, I can't describe that feeling", she said.

West Midlands Police believes it's the only force in the UK that uses special constables - volunteer police officers - in its murder units.

The special constable says she has no plans to quit her grooming business

Ms Vaughan, who has been invited to the force's Balsall Common dog unit, now also aims to go out on patrol with neighbourhood teams in her home city.

“I've had the pleasure of meeting many officers from various roles who know I'm a dog groomer and hydrotherapist, and some have even requested my services," she said.

The 42-year-old fell in love with policing while growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, watching crime documentaries and the ITV serial drama The Bill.

However, she has only recently realised her teenage dream of becoming a police officer.

Ms Vaughan said: "To join homicide, that's a massive achievement. The variety of work is mind blowing, to see what's going on out there.

"To get into my early 40s and become an officer - it's ticked all of those boxes for me."

'Wear the uniform'

Det Insp Damian Forrest, of the force homicide unit, said Ms Vaughan, like all specials, had undertaken rigorous training.

"Donna's been a fantastic asset to the team, she's done lots of great work on a few different jobs now," he said.

"I can remember her coming in, and barely taking her coat off, before rushing out with the team to go and arrest a murderer."

But Ms Vaughan has no plans to quit her dog grooming business permanently.

"Being able to become a special allows me to still have my business that I've worked hard to build up, and also do the police work," she said.

"I enjoy my day job, but I also get to wear the uniform, as well."