Bedfordshire Police held a graduation ceremony on Tuesday (20 October) to welcome 22 new student officers into force.
The officers can now take to the streets and put their lesson-learning into action.
They began their training in June with intense classroom-based officer training, giving them the fundamental basics of policing. For the next two years they will be learning on the job.
The students bring with them different skills from a range of previous careers including a delivery driver, design engineer, lettings negotiator and security.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra said, “We are really pleased to welcome 22 new officers to our force and see them helping our communities in Bedfordshire.
“It is really interesting to see the different working backgrounds our new officers come from, they will all bring a unique skill set and perspective to the role and it really proves it doesn’t matter what your previous experience is, you can make a difference as a police officer.”
Police Constable Tony Long said, “I used to be an estate agent and have been able to bring skills from my previous job including communications, confidence and persuasion, which have really helped me in my training.
“It’s taken me a few years to take that leap, and I’m so glad I’ve done it.”
After the graduation ceremony the students will be placed in either the north or the south of the county with support from the force as they work towards their NVQ in policing.
Police Constable Nathan Cox used to work in a mental health hospital, he said, “Talking to people from different backgrounds and understanding what people’s needs are is a strength I can bring to policing.
“Since I applied for Bedfordshire Police, they have been really supportive throughout the whole process.
“If ever you need any support, they are always there to guide you through. It’s been a really wonderful experience and I can’t wait to get out into the community.”
