Hertfordshire welcomes largest cohort of police officers in recent years

Thirty-five police officers, the largest cohort of recent years, were formally welcomed to Hertfordshire Constabulary at their passing out parade this month.

Family and friends of the 18 women and 17 men, came along to help celebrate the completion of their initial training at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday 7 June. Chief Constable Charlie Hall was there to congratulate them and present framed certificates to mark their achievement.

“I take a great deal of pride in seeing so many of you here and this is the largest graduation of officers that I can remember,” Mr Hall told them. “You’re at the cusp of applying your training delivering policing services across Hertfordshire.

“Congratulations on what you have achieved, policing is a great career, this is the end of your intensive classroom-based training, but you will never stop learning as you serve the public in different situations.”

This is a mixed cohort as 31 officers have started their careers via the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) and four officers are training to be detectives on the Accelerated Detective Constable Programme, illustrating the variety of different routes into policing for degree and non-degree holders.

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “I congratulate and welcome these new officers to the Constabulary where they will make a real difference to the lives and safety to those who live and work in Hertfordshire.

“They are part of the record number of officers we already have serving in the county after residents told me they wanted to see more frontline officers out on patrol.”

The student officers now start their first postings with six based in Welwyn/Hatfield; five in St Albans; four in Cheshunt; four in Stevenage; three in Watford; two in Hemel Hempstead; two in North Herts; two in Three Rivers; one in Hitchin; one in Rickmansworth; one in South Mimms; one in Borehamwood; one in Buntingford; one in Hertsmere; and one in Bishop’s Stortford.

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

Initial Police Learning and Development Programme – 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 – 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 – 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.

Degree Holder Detective Entry Programme – graduates with a degree in any subject have 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.

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.

If you feel inspired to become a Hertfordshire police officer, visit Herts police officer 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 Herts police officer diversity webpage (opens in a new window).