New police officers sworn in as force continues recruiting

Sussex Police welcomed 77 new officers at the second attestation ceremony of the year.

The new recruits were sworn in with a formal ceremony at East Sussex National Golf Club, the first where family and friends have been able to attend in person since the pandemic started.

They join the force at a time whenthelatestpoliceconstable degree apprenticeship recruitment window is open for new applications, where individuals applying can earn a degree at the same time as working on the front-line.

The 77 new recruits will dedicate their time to protecting communities, catching criminals, and delivering an outstanding service to the people of Sussex, the force said.

Thirty-nine of the recruits will be embarking on the police constable degree apprenticeship, 18 recruits will undertake the police constable degree holder entry programme and the detective constable degree holder entry programme will see 20 people join and specialise as a detective.

Deputy Chief Constable Julia Chapman said: “It is a privilege to welcome every one of these new recruits into Sussex Police and see them embark on an exciting new career. Whether joining as a police officer or a detective, policing really is the best career in the world. No two days are the same and the sense of fulfilment these individuals will gain from supporting and protecting our communities is like nothing else. If I had my time again, I would follow the exact same career path.”