Philip Seccombe talking to new police recruits
The streets of Warwickshire are set to be even safer as a record number of new police officers will be joining Warwickshire Police this month.
As well as 20 student police officers who will be embarking on the first days of their training with the force, three experienced police constables and two detective constables will be moving from other forces into Warwickshire Police in July. They will be joined by six recruits on the Police Now programme, which sees outstanding graduates take part in a two-year national programme, working as police constables in Safer Neighbourhood Teams to help transform communities.
The officers will be assigned to roles across Warwickshire, with the student police officers being on patrol across the county.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith said: “31 police officers joining Warwickshire Police in July is believed to be a record for the highest number of recruits ever to join the force in a single month. Crucially, these officers are a great mix of experienced officers, bringing their years of policing skills and expertise, and new officers who are just beginning their policing journey with us, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and own life experiences.
“While Warwickshire remains a safe place to live and work, this crop of new officers will help keep our area even safer by protecting communities and tackling crime. However, we are still recruiting for more officers to join our policing family. If you’re a good communicator, a team player who easily builds relationships and respects others and passionate about making a difference, and would like to work as a police constable while studying towards a paid-for degree in policing with us, I’d like to hear from you.”
Andy McManus, Team Leader, Leadership and Training Support, said: “We are delighted to welcome the latest intake of Police Now constables to Warwickshire. We will now start training these graduates to become community leaders as local police officers, representing the diversity of the public they serve and taking responsibility for the safety of up to 20,000 people. Young people’s confidence in the police has increased by 17% in the communities where Police Now neighbourhood police officers operate. By working with Police Now, Warwickshire Police is helping to break the cycle of offending.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “I promised the public that I would invest the money raised through Council Tax increases directly into frontline policing. These extra officers are continuing proof that I am delivering the extra boots on the ground that policing needs and the public wants to see.
“Every part of Warwickshire should see a welcome boost as the new officers complete their training and go on patrol across the county or begin their work to solve problems in local communities. This latest intake is really encouraging and shows that Warwickshire Police is attracting a strong mix of people who want to serve the local community, including officers who want to relocate here and enjoy the benefits of our beautiful county.
“More new recruits will be starting their training over the next few months as well, in a year that has already broken records for the largest number of student officers undergoing simultaneous training in the force’s long history.
“This will all add up to Warwickshire Police having police officer numbers back up the sorts of levels not seen since 2012. The new recruits, together with the highly-dedicated police officers, PCSOs, Special Constables, police staff and volunteers that we already have in Warwickshire will be able to make a visible and welcome difference to communities.”
To find out more about joining Warwickshire Police as a police officer, go to www.warwickshire.police.uk/policerecruitment.
