A former nanny, an ex-teaching assistant and a veterinary assistant are among the latest Herts police recruits.

Twenty-seven new police officers have been formally welcomed to Hertfordshire Constabulary having completed their 20-week learning course as part of the two-year Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP).

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Chief Constable Charlie Hall, centre, with Hertfordshire Constabulary's newest police officers at their passing out parade at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.Chief Constable Charlie Hall, centre, with Hertfordshire Constabulary's newest police officers at their passing out parade at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Family and friends came along to police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Friday, July 21 to help celebrate the completion of their initial training at a passing out parade.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall presented the 27 new officers with framed certificates to mark their achievement.

“Policing is a great career with so many different opportunities available,” said the chief constable.

“It’s great to see so many of you starting your policing careers at stations throughout the county, putting into practice the training and all you have learned over the past weeks.

“We now have more officers policing Hertfordshire than we’ve ever had before, you joined this organisation because you wanted to make a real difference to peoples’ lives and you can now start helping them with issues and problems that need resolving.”

 

READ MORE 

 

IPLDP is open to those with minimum educational qualifications and above and attracts recruits from a wide variety of backgrounds.

This cohort of 16 women and 11 men includes two ex-security workers, a retail manager, teaching assistant, nanny, warehouse manager, advertising co-ordinator, veterinary assistant, stock controller, operations manager, mental health worker, student support officer, occupational therapist and a graphic design graduate.

This traditional entry route to joining the police provides an excellent opportunity for those who do not have a degree to be employed as an officer from day one, gaining on-the-job experience, blended with classroom and practical learning.

The student officers will now begin their first postings with five based in Watford, five in Dacorum, four in North Herts, two in Stevenage, two in Borehamwood, two in Welwyn Hatfield, two in St Albans, two in East Herts, two in Three Rivers, and one in Broxbourne.

Applications are currently being taken for four different police officer training courses.

  • There's the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) course. Candidates will be considered even if they do not have GCSE maths and English, usually minimum requirements.
  • The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is a three-year, work-based, practical and vocational degree.
  • The Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) is for graduates with a degree in any subject. They can achieve a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice while training as a police officer over two years.
  • The Accelerated Detective Constable Programme is a year of intensive training and practical experience followed by a year of three placements, whilst completing training to obtain the relevant qualifications to become a detective.

If you fancy a career in the force, visit Herts Constabulary's police officer recruitment website at www.hertspoliceofficer.co.uk to find out how to apply and register your interest.

 

                                                                                                                                

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to the Welwyn Hatfield Times In Brief newsletter.