Fourteen new Hertfordshire police officers welcomed through degree apprenticeship

Fourteen police officers were formally welcomed to Hertfordshire Constabulary by the Chief Constable Charlie Hall at their passing out parade on Friday 3 February.

The cohort is made up of eight men and six women and include an ex-retail assistant, sous chef, estate agent, barista, restaurant team manager and lab technician.

They all started via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) route – a three-year, work-based practical course which enables apprentices to join as a police officer and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week and at a time when many young people are put off by the cost of starting higher education, this route to policing offers a great opportunity. It is a fully-funded degree apprenticeship, combined on the job learning with a competitive salary starting at £29,682 and other benefits.

Family and friends of the 14 apprenticeship police officers came along to help celebrate the end of their initial training at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City. Mr Hall officially welcomed them and presented them with framed certificates, marking the end of their initial training, with other senior officers also in attendance.

“It is a great delight to welcome you to our Hertfordshire police family,” said Mr Hall. “We uphold, live and breathe the highest standards and our work in the communities we serve makes a real difference to people.

“We are recruiting police officers from all backgrounds and walks of life, and I would especially encourage applications from our Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities as we want to fully represent the people we serve.”

The student officers now start their first postings with three officers based in Hatfield; two in Hertford; two in Harpenden; two in Welwyn Garden City; one in Hemel Hempstead; one in Potters Bar; one in London Colney; one in Cheshunt and Goffs Oak and one in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Buntingford.

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “I welcome these new officers into the constabulary where they face a challenging but very rewarding career. They have taken a pledge to upholding the very highest of standards while working every day to keep us safe.

“Hertfordshire now has more officers than it has ever had before, and more are on the way. I look forward to seeing these new graduates out on the frontline across the county.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary is a force that’s putting crime and harm prevention first, and for those wanting to become police officer, who do not already have a degree, this is a great opportunity to earn while you learn and make a genuine, positive difference to people from all walks of life.

↪️ We are inviting applications for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship now, visit our police officer recruitment website (opens in a new window) to find out how to apply and register your interest.

↪️ Through our ‘Positive Action’ scheme, Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to building relationships with under-represented groups and encouraging them to join our policing family. For more information and support visit our police officer recruitment website diversity page (opens in a new window).