Due to the pandemic, mask wearing is more prevalent today AND robbers have always worn them. Research by one of the most eminent and ancient scientific bodies in the world (the Royal Society) shows that human Super Recognisers are better at making identification when masks (or sunglasses) are worn. Link below to findings:
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.201169
Lord Lingfield, the Chairman of the Association, attended the Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington, Oxfordshire to present Super Recogniser licences to local and Metropolitan Police officers who had completed the recent law enforcement course.
His lordship praised the innovative nature of Thames Valley Police, particularly Detective Inspector Tina Wallace who is driving forward the programme. She is especially interested in using Super Recognisers to target offenders who commit offences of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Note that several officers were unable to appear in the photo due to their under-cover roles.
Super Recognisers International Ltd will be running courses (on-line) in 2023. The first two course will run 28th February - 2nd March, then 20th - 22nd June. More details on the SRI website:
Online Super Recogniser Course & Training (superrecognisersinternational.com)
Police Constable Aaron Lewars is featured in several UK newspapers describing his skills. Part of the article is copied below. Once again, the benefits of Super Recognition are demonstrated!
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/20/recognise-chin-anywhere-police-officers-super-spotting-powers/
From the article:
Pc Arron Lewars has one of the sharpest recalls for faces in the Metropolitan Police and uses his extraordinary ability to help catch criminals on the run.
In the past year, he has made more than 80 positive identifications leading to the arrest of high-ranking gang members, as well as suspects in shootings and robberies.
His specialist skills are said to have had a “remarkable” impact on the disruption of the capital’s “highest harm” gangs, by either diverting members away from a life of crime or removing them from the streets altogether.
But for the 37-year-old, who is part of the Met’s violence suppression unit covering Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon, one case from this summer in particular stands out.
It involved a suspect who had been wanted for around a year over a robbery and a serious domestic assault. He had even featured as one of the Met’s 10 most wanted robbers.
Pc Lewars happened to know the suspect attended Notting Hill Carnival every year, an event for which the officer acts as a spotter, monitoring CCTV in the control room.
“I saw him on the camera, but he’s wearing a baseball cap, he’s got a T-shirt over his head and he’s wearing sunglasses, so literally all you can see was his chin,” said Pc Lewars.
SRI Ltd are running a Super Recogniser course for Thames Valley Police 7-10 November. The officers will receive training in Super Recognition tactics, identification, data protection and surveillance laws, together with spotting suspicious behaviour. They will also be rigorously tested by Professor Josh Davis and his team to establish their short- and long-term memory of faces and ability to match images and spot people in crowds. This course will give TVP more Super Recognisers and another tactic to use in their fight against crime.
Why not join this innovative force and have your own bespoke Super Recogniser selection and training? Your officers will be able to identify criminals and vulnerable people much faster. They can also be used to view CCTV and quickly find suspects.
See the SRI website:
https://superrecognisersinternational.com/advanced-super-recogniser-course-professionals/
In this article, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Prof Fraser Sampson, makes it clear that British law enforcement agencies need to make a stronger case for the use of live computerised facial recognition.
Facial recognition needs a stronger case in law enforcement - Tech Monitor
All those who have completed a Super Recogniser course in 2021/22 should note that the certificates will be presented by Lord Lingfield on 1 Dec at 1.45pm at 86 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1PL. Each recipient can bring two guests. The following awards will be presented:
Super Recogniser licences
Super Matcher licences
Course attendance
Honorary Fellows
There will be tea and cakes following the presentation. The event will be completed by 4pm. For those interested, Mike Neville will be running a Crime Walk of London in the evening and possibly a live exercise during the following day - details to follow. Those wishing to receive their certificate via the post MUST email mike.neville@superrecognisersinternational.com and confirm their current address. It is hoped that most course attendees will be able to receive their award in person.
We are currently experiencing technical issues with our email addresses. Please use the email address gemma.havard@superrecognisersinternational.com whilst we work to find a resolution.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If we have not replied to a message within 48 hours please resend to the above email address.
Thank you
This report by US on-line magazine “Mental Floss” features details on the police use of Super Recognisers in UK, Germany and Australia and features comments from our CEO, together with Honorary Fellows, Prof Josh Davis and Senior Sgt Chris Tritton of Queensland Police. When will there will be a Super Recogniser (Recognizer!) Unit in the United States? Which American law enforcement agency will be the first to use this new tactic to make communities safer?
The article:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/super-recognizers-help-solve-crimes
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Andy Pope of the West Midlands Police in England is a well-known Super Recogniser. He has featured in various media articles covering his exceptional ability to spot criminals whilst on duty in Birmingham. Andy was also made an Honorary Fellow of the Association following his 2000th identification. This week he featured on the prime-time German TV Quiz Show “Kaum Zu Glauben” (Hard to Believe), where a panel attempts to guess the unusual jobs held by the participants. The show can be seen on this link:
https://www.ardmediathek.de/sendung/kaum-zu-glauben/Y3JpZDovL25kci5kZS8xNTg3
The ASR is the professional body representing those who possess the super recogniser skills around the globe. Via our associate scheme, you will be able to access the latest developments in the science of super recognition, browse job opportunities and contact other practitioners from around the globe who share your unique skills and abilities. After a certain period of years in practice, you may even be invited to become a Fellow of the Association.
Have you got an amazing memory for human faces? Your skill could help law enforcement, security companies, Armed Forces or other organisations. You may just want to use your skill for fun OR are simply interested in Super Recognition.
There is NO need to have a background in security, the military or law enforcement. Super Recognisers come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Join Contact Privacy Policy Cookie Policy © 2023 Association of Super Recognisers
