DC Jacob Banks played by Patrick Robinson

First appearance    R.I.P. P.I. [# 589] (23/04/08)     

Jacob Banks is known as Banksy – he’s a cop on a mission: after changing careers in his mid-30s, he’s got lots to catch up with, starting so late in the police service. Banksy has done two years on the beat after training at Hendon and has been an DC at another nick for a year. He’s not mega motivated, but he’s a good copper with great interpersonal skills – he could make DI in a couple of years.

He’s married to Naomi who’s a high-flying barrister. She's very ambitious in her career and as a consequence doesn’t spend much time at home. Formally a teacher, Bansky knows how to handle people – he’s just as comfortable talking to a bank manager as he is talking to a kid on the street. The years in the classroom have made him an expert on body language and ‘tells’: he can sniff out a liar and a bully a mile off.

Banksy has quickly become a mature and solid force in CID, with a natural sense of authority that inspires trust from his sergeants and fellow detectives alike. He’s not too proud to defer to others if their experience outweighs his own; he also can’t quite suppress his instinct to help others achieve their potential. He’s a real team player.