Proud families, friends, and colleagues gathered at Nottinghamshire Police HQ last Friday to welcome the latest group of new recruits. These recruits have completed 21 weeks of intensive training and are now prepared to serve in both uniformed and CID roles as part of their ongoing two-year police training programme.
Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper addressed the new officers, stating: “Policing is a rewarding and varied career. I’m thrilled to welcome these new recruits to our ranks. They’re starting an exciting but at times tough journey. We’ve spent the last 21 weeks preparing them to face those challenges head-on. I’m confident they will rise to meet them. Serving with integrity, pride and compassion, they now have the chance to make a real and lasting difference to the communities we protect. I look forward to seeing their progress in the years ahead.”
Thanks to the Government’s Police Uplift Programme, launched in 2019 to add 20,000 extra officers across England and Wales, Nottinghamshire Police exceeded their recruitment target early. The force increased its numbers by over 400 officers well before the March 2023 deadline, bringing the total to more than 2,380 officers ready to tackle modern policing challenges.
There are several routes into policing that combine classroom learning with practical experience in law, personal safety, first aid, and managing volatile situations:
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA): A three-year programme combining on-the-job training with academic study. Recruits start as police officers from day one and earn a BA Honours degree in Professional Policing Practice. Nottinghamshire Police run this programme in partnership with the University of Derby.
Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP): A two-year route for degree holders from any subject. Participants serve as probationer officers while completing a graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
Professional Policing Degree (PPD): A three-year degree studied independently before applying to join the force. During this time, candidates may serve as Special Constables. Upon joining, they undergo shorter practical training.
Nottinghamshire Police have also launched the country’s first Military Service Leavers Pathway. This exclusive route allows Armed Forces personnel to use resettlement credits to complete a 12-week apprenticeship programme, including residential training at RAF Cranwell. After leaving the military, recruits join Nottinghamshire Police to complete the final years of the PCDA, earning a degree and completing their probation period.
In November, the Government reversed the requirement for police recruits to have degree-level education. The College of Policing is developing a new non-degree entry route, while the existing non-degree Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) remains available for now.
Nottinghamshire Police encourage applicants from all backgrounds who:
- Inspire and influence others
- Show courage and compassion
- Respect race and diversity
- Treat people with dignity and respect at all times
If this describes you, consider joining Nottinghamshire Police and making a real difference in communities across Nottinghamshire.
Originally published by UKNIP.
