Police force recruits more than 60 new officers

MORE than 60 new officers have joined Wiltshire Police as part of the uplift scheme to recruit 20,000 police across the country.

The government campaign will look to fund 148 new officers to bring the expected number of police in Wiltshire to 1,150 by March 2023.

More than 250 new officers have joined the force since its inception in September 2019 with another 200 set to start in the next 18 months.

This is made up of both additional uplift officers and those recruited to replace leavers.

In 2019, GMB’s union for police staff revealed that 23,500 police staff jobs had been lost since

2010.

Police staff covers a wide range of roles including custody officers, 999 call handlers, PCSOs, scene of crime investigators, and technical and administrative support jobs.

Police & Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said that the delivery of the promised new officers is key to ensuring residents feel safe.

“These additional officers will provide a much-needed bolster for the force to better protect communities, support victims and ultimately help make Wiltshire a safer place to live, work and visit,” he said.

“That said, whilst officer numbers are important, it is more important that we are getting the right people through the door.

“I continue to work with the chief constable to ensure that vetting procedures are fit for purpose and that relevant policies and procedures are tightened up where required, to ensure public confidence in the force.”

According to the OPCC, there has been an increase in the number of officers and staff from ethnic minority backgrounds.