Last week I was lucky enough to secure an exclusive interview with one of the Black Country’s most well-known detectives, Detective Inspector Kim Stone.

As she is known more for her crime-fighting prowess than her charm and charisma I was surprised to be granted the opportunity to talk to her one-on-one.

Unsurprisingly her glass-encased office in the corner of the C.I.D. squad room is adorned with few personal items and very little clutter. But this, in itself, gives clues to her personality.

The absence of creature comforts indicates she spends little time in this office, perhaps choosing to work in the squad room with her team. The half-full mug of cold coffee indicates her ‘what’s next?’ demeanour or the arrival of a lead on a case that couldn’t wait. A bin half full of sandwich wrappers implies rushed meals on the go or during a rare quiet moment.

She sits with her arms already crossed and an impatient expression, clearly eager to return to the job at hand.

I take a deep breath and sit down.

FROST: So, Kim, thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me. 

STONE: Don’t call me Kim as though you know me and don’t act like I had a choice. As I take every opportunity to avoid the press, you in particular, it’s clear that I’m doing this under direct instruction from Woody who feels you’ve been helpful lately.

FROST: Fair enough. I’ll take what I can get. When did you know you wanted to join the police force? And why?

STONE: That’s original. Never been asked that one before. Okay, if you really want to know I once came across two youths using a homeless guy as a pissing post and a punching bag for their own amusement. Me being me, I got involved, tried to stop it diplomatically, obviously playing to my strengths. That didn’t work. I kicked them where it hurts and they chased me which drew attention away from the poor guy on the floor until a police officer turned up. His handling of the situation stuck with me.

FROST: What’s the best thing about being a detective?

STONE: I get to tell you to naff off with no consequences.

FROST: Really, Stone?

STONE: Okay, I get to lock bad people up for doing bad things. Nothing makes me happier than bringing individuals who think the law doesn’t apply to them to justice.

Nothing makes me happier than bringing individuals who think the law doesn’t apply to them to justice.

FROST: How do you feel when you solve a difficult case?

STONE: Normally exhausted after long hours, too much coffee and not enough sleep. You wouldn’t get it but I feel like I’ve done something useful. That we can all sleep a little bit easier cos another bad guy, or girl, is off the streets.

FROST: How do you reset and erase the horror?

STONE: I get on my Ninja and ride until I’m lost. I take roads I’ve never used before and just keep going until I’m riding on fumes. It puts distance between me and my thoughts and blows every cobweb away. Then I come home and take my dog for a walk.

FROST: Give Barney a belly rub from me.

STONE: He doesn’t like you.

FROST: We both know that’s not true. What’s the most difficult case you’ve ever worked on?

STONE: The worst case was the investigation of a private school and secret clubs a few years ago.

FROST: What made that particular case so difficult?

STONE: Because we lost a team member. Next question.

FROST: Okay. How do you motivate yourself to keep going with what you see daily?

STONE: I think about not doing what I do. If I stopped it would be a win for the bad guys. One more copper not out there chasing them down. And there is literally no other job that I’m built for.

FROST: How do you feel when you don’t solve a case? And why?

STONE: Don’t know. It’s never happened.

FROST: Not sure I believe you but okay. What do your team think of you? If your team could change one thing about you, what would it be?

STONE: They would change me being their boss. I really have no idea what they think of me but they keep turning up for work so we’ll take that as a win.

FROST: What do your bosses think of you? If your boss could change one thing about you, what would it be?

STONE: My immediate boss would change my ability to ask questions and answer back. He’d also like me to care more about other people’s opinions. He’d like me to have better manners and be more mindful of optics and politics. But he’s a realist and these expectations only exist on his Amazon wishlist.

There is literally no other job that I’m built for.

FROST: What are your expectations of your team?

STONE: To do the best they can and not give up even when things seem hopeless. I don’t expect them to do anything I’m not prepared to do myself. And I also expect them to ignore nosey reporters.

FROST: Haha, very funny. What are your ambitions for the future? If you were asked to go to a different station within the same force, how would you feel?

STONE: Jesus, Frost, are we not done yet? I haven’t got all day.

FROST: Just answer the question.

STONE: I go where the job takes me and if there were sound, logical operational reasons for making such a change I’d respect it.

FROST: Really?

STONE: Probably not but it sounded good.

FROST: And what about Kim Stone when she’s not working. What would you like to share about your private life? Family? Is there a significant other in your life? And I’m not referring to the furry kind. What else do you like to do in your spare time?

STONE: Yeah, not sharing, and least of all with you.

FROST: Okay, last question. Is there a softer heart buried somewhere beneath that tough exterior?

STONE: Absolutely not, and you of all people should know better than to ask that.

FROST: Just checking cos I heard a rumour.

STONE: Aren’t you normally the one spreading them?

FROST: I heard that while working on an earlier case you sold your refurbished motorcycle to pay for medical equipment for a young girl named Lucy. Is that correct?

STONE: Bloody hell, Frost, you do believe some rubbish.

FROST: Only I spoke to Lucy some time back and she said that she thought—

STONE: Time’s up. I’m done. Nice chatting, but now you can show yourself out.