New Hertfordshire police officers welcomed from a host of different career backgrounds

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

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. 

Family and friends came along to police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Friday 21 July to help celebrate the completion of their initial training at a passing out parade. Chief Constable, Charlie Hall, presented them with framed certificates to mark their achievement.

“Policing is a great career with so many different opportunities available,” said Mr Hall. “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.”

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.

We’re currently taking applications for four different police officer training courses, with something to suit everyone:

Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) course – the traditional entry route, train to be a police officer over two years. Candidates will be considered even if they do not have GCSE maths and English, usually minimum requirements.

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) – join as a police officer and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice. This is a three-year, work-based, practical and vocational degree.

Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) – graduates with a degree in any subject can achieve a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice while training as a police officer over two years.

Accelerated Detective Constable Programme – 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.

Join Hertfordshire Constabulary and be part of a force that’s putting crime and harm prevention first. You’ll be supported by a friendly team and welcomed, whatever your background.

Find out more about becoming a Hertfordshire police officer at our recruitment website (opens in a new window)