Vera Baird QC and Chief Constable Steve Ashman welcome new recruits to the force
3rd October 2016
Vera Baird QC, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and Chief Constable Steve Ashman have welcomed the first of a wave of trainee police officers to the force – as part of their long-term commitment to defending frontline policing.
Today, they have visited the 29 new recruits at a safeguarding training session held at interactive learning centre, SafetyWorks! in Newcastle.
As part of the visit, the Commissioner explained her role as PCC – to give the public a voice and ensure their police are accountable.
She said how this involves ensuring the policing needs of local communities are being met as effectively as possible, bringing communities closer to the police and building confidence in the system.
The force is currently running its biggest recruitment drive in over a decade – this has been made possible as despite suffering Government funding cuts, Commissioner Baird has previously been praised as the PCC who has made the greatest financial savings for her force – allowing for reinvesting in people.
Mr Ashman spoke of how joining Northumbria Police is about wanting to be the difference and says the current recruitment campaign will see many new officers recruited over the next three years, who will come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wealth of skills and experiences.
Vera Baird QC, said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming the first of our new recruits to Northumbria Police. It’s fantastic news for our local communities who I know place great importance on having a visible policing presence in their areas.
“Policing is changing and it’s now a fantastic time to join the force – we are full of ambition and our new talent comes from a range of backgrounds to bring these ambitions to life. Our new police officers will be an active part in communities across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead”
Chief Constable Steve Ashman, said: “It is fantastic to see these men and women beginning their policing careers and they are already showing a real enthusiasm to be the difference. I am really looking forward to seeing them progress through their training, which will equip them with the skills they will need for dealing with the challenges that they will face when serving in our local communities.
“The training process can be challenging but we have very experienced officers guiding new recruits so they are fully prepared for what is a very rewarding and worthwhile role and will, I believe, see them progress into excellent police officers.”
Student officers currently being trained will spend the next two years as response officers but following that they could join one of 200 different roles in the force including the dog section, firearms support unit and safeguarding.
PC Kyle Brewis started his training earlier this month and he has been talking about his journey to become a police officer on Twitter – through his account @NewCopKyle – this is a great way for those considering a career with the force to learn more about the journey to becoming a police officer.
The Northumbria Police recruitment campaign ‘Be the Difference’ is ongoing and anyone interested in joining can apply to be a police officer by searching Northumbria Police careers online and filling in the application form on the website.
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