Police on the lookout for more recruits to join the force in Milton Keynes

Thames Valley Police bosses are actively looking for people to ‘be the difference they want to see’ in their communities.

Police office recruitment is re-opening, with a chance for people to enter via either the apprentice or the graduate route.

Applications open on August 8 for those with a degree qualification via the Police Constable-Degree Holder Entry Programme (PC-DHEP). This will be followed by an opportunity for those who do not hold a degree to join via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) on September 1.

Since introducing the new Police Constable entry routes in 2019, in partnership with Bucks New University (BNU), Thames Valley Police (TVP) have recruited over 170 new officers from a wide variety of backgrounds.

In the past 12 months, 43.4% of those new joiners have been female, whilst 14.3% of new joiners have been from Black, Asian or Minority-Ethnic backgrounds; this is progress as the force works towards fully representing the communities it serves.

The new student officers have ranged in age from 19 to 51, bringing with them a wide variety of previous life and work experience including community mental health support, the military, retail and leisure, foster care, the prison service, the travel industry, teaching, animal welfare, as well as university graduates and college-leavers; demonstrating that policing continues to appeal to a wide range of people.

Despite their many differences, the new recruits all share a common purpose; to serve the public, protect our communities and keep people safe. It is this natural affinity to help others that police are looking for now.

"Policing is a challenging yet rewarding career. It offers opportunity for progression and specialization, plus unrivalled camaraderie and team spirit. It is not easy though; we serve the public 24/7, 365, demand is high and the reality is that you are dealing with people often at the worst moment of their lives who will be looking to you for support," said a spokesman,

Chief Constable John Campbell said: “When things are at their worst for people, I want us to be at our best.” We are looking for resilient individuals whose first instinct is to help and support others; the problem solvers and solution-finders, those calm under pressure, who ask questions and are curious, but also approachable with a natural ability to communicate with people from all walks of life.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, who can make a positive impact in the community, you can register your interest today by visiting www.tvpcareers.co.uk/police-officerOne new recruit is Student Officer PC Catherine Titcombe, 44, for whom joining the police had been a long held ambition.

She said: “I started completing the application form to become a police officer over 20 years ago, and have started the process on several occasions since.

“Something stopped me from completing it in the past, but October 2019 was when I finally found the courage to go through with the full process.

“The fact that I would also be given the opportunity to study at degree level was also a bonus, as when I had the opportunity in the past, I was not ready.

“I feel like all the experience I’ve had in life so far has prepared me for now and I am really excited to become qualified and finally achieve my potential.”

For others it’s making a difference. Student Officer PC Sanika Mehta, 31, joined to ‘give back to the community’, saying: “Although I have enjoyed my previous jobs, there wasn’t always a sense of job satisfaction. I therefore decided that I wanted something more challenging and fulfilling.

“Whilst working at a phone shop previously, the store was robbed. It was an awful experience and the first and only time I have been placed in a position where I was threatened with demands, and felt no sense of security or control over the situation.

“When the police arrived, I felt a huge sense of relief and safeness. I decided then that I wanted to join the police so I could give back and make others feel that sense of security.”

A diverse workforce is an important part of operational effectiveness for Thames Valley Police and is essential in maintaining public trust with all of our communities.

Chief Constable Campbell said: “Attracting people from a range of backgrounds will bring different knowledge and expertise and help us to build stronger relationships with the public, enabling us to serve and protect them more effectively.

“We have had success in attracting more women into policing, but realise there is work to do to increase broader diversity within the force.”

TVP’s Positive Action and Engagement Team made up of four serving officers, focuses on building engagement in our under-represented communities and encouraging people from our Black, Asian and Minority-Ethnic communities to consider a career in policing.

As well as focusing on outreach work, the team supports applicants through the recruitment process and subsequently with their professional development and progression once they have joined.