Police recruitment drive for new officers
A major recruitment drive is underway by Durham Constabulary in a bid to bring more police officers to the force.
The force is opening applications for those interested in joiningthroughthePoliceConstable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) schemes,aspartoftheGovernment’spledgetorecruit20,000 new officers.
Applications to join Durham Constabulary as a police constable have opened today, with potential new recruits having until 5pm on Monday, January 24 to submit their application.
Under the degree apprenticeship, student officers will study towards a degree in Professional Policing Practice throughNorthumbriaUniversity while working as a frontline officer.
Their time will be split between practical, on-the-job training and classroom-based learning – with a starting salary of £24,780 that eventually risesto£41,130andalluniversity fees are paid for by the force.
The DHEP is for applicants who already have a degree in any subject area, with applicants spending two years working as a frontline officer while working towards a graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
AnyapplicantswhohavealreadypassedaSEARCH/online assessmentcentretakenwithin any Home Office force in the last 24 months will go straight
to interviews, which will take place in March and April.
All successful candidates will join the police force from September this year.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “We’re looking for ambitious, motivated people who want to make a genuine differencetotheircommunitiesand those in need.
"We’re also wanting people who are hardworking, relish a challenge and can apply common sense.
“As a police officer, you’ll be expected to run towards danger when others are running away. It is a job that comes with immense responsibility but is also hugely rewarding.”