Cops welcome 600 new officers after recruitment target drive
Northumbria Police has more than 600 new officers in its ranks after hitting a national recruitment target.
The Government’s ‘uplift’ programme in 2019 saw forces up and down the country tasked with taking on 20,000 more officers before the end of this month.
For Northumbria Police. thatmeantincreasingtheforce headcount from 3,129 to 3,744 – something it has already exceeded, said Chief Constable Winton Keenen.
Hesaid:“Wearedelightedto welcome our new officers.
"Theyareanabsolutelyvital additiontoNorthumbriaPolice and this really is great news for our local communities.
“Despite the financial challenges we continue to face, we recognise there is an essential need to recruit as many additional officers as possible.
“That is why we took the decision to recruit additional numbers that will take us over andabovethetargetwhichwas set by the Government.
“Despitethat,itmustberecognised we remain considerably below the previous level of officernumberswehadpriorto successive reductions in fundingweexperiencedoverrecent years.
"Thereisaveryrealneedfor further,sustained,investment inpolicingtoensureweareable to meet modern-day demands andprovidethelevelsofservice our communities deserve.”
The force’s recruitment drive received praise in the latest
report from His Majesty’s Inspection of Constabulary – particularly its successful
approach to attracting candidatesfromunder-represented groups.
Recruitment to the force is now open again.
MrKeenenadded:“Wehave always been very clear in our ambition to recruit exceptional people from all walks of life.
“Anyone with a real sense of public service and looking to embark on a career where you will make a positive difference for your family, colleagues and the wider community, might well find Northumbria Police is the place for you.
“Youwillbejoiningdedicated and supportive colleagues, officers, staff and volunteers, who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to make real and lasting differences to this fantastic region of ours in the North East."
Of the recruits who have joined, many are replacing retiring officers.
To find out more information about joining the force, go to Northumbria Police careers website.