Training programmes central to driving a more open culture in the service
Talented leaders from outside the police will be fast-tracked to into senior roles under a new ‘direct entry’ recruitment programme launched by the College of Policing.
This scheme will select 20 experienced leaders from the private, public and third sectors to join the service as a superintendent as part of plans to hire people with more diverse backgrounds and new perspectives. In addition to the higher level programme, the college has also announced a graduate fast track programme for 82 recruits to be promoted from constable to inspector within three years.
Traditionally, police officers worked their way up the ranks to achieve senior positions but these schemes now offer an alternative faster route, which is expected to open up the service and its culture following criticism that the service is too homogeneous.
Policing minister Damian Green said: “The future success of the police is dependent on attracting the best and brightest to careers in the force.
“This is the first time that chief constables will be able to recruit talented and motivated leaders from other walks of life, who can bring a wide range of experience and expertise.
“They will receive world class training from the College of Policing and will bring a fresh perspective and approach, opening up policing culture which will benefit their colleagues and the public.”
Police HR departments will begin recruiting for the two new programmes in April and successful applicants will start training in the autumn.
Chief constable and chief executive of the college, Alex Marshall, said: “These programmes are a completely new way for people to join policing and will help us to ensure that the service appeals to the brightest and best people in the country. It will help us ensure we continue to evolve as a profession by bringing in expertise from other sectors.
“The College of Policing will support successful applicants with world-leading training so that they are properly equipped to excel within the service. I encourage anyone who wants to make a difference in their community and believes they have the right experience and skills to consider a career in policing.”
Commenting on the radical overhaul for senior police roles, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is vital that police forces reflect the hard-working communities which they serve. Schemes like these will enable talented and experienced people from a range of backgrounds to bring new ideas and a fresh approach to policing.
“We have already slashed red tape and cut bureaucratic targets, this is about opening up policing culture by making the workforce more diverse. I want to see all forces in England and Wales rolling out these schemes.”
Police forces taking part in the direct entry (Superintendent) programme include Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, British Transport Police, City of London, Metropolitan Police Service, North Yorkshire, Sussex and West Yorkshire.
And services running the fast track (constable to inspector) programme are Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, British Transport Police, Cheshire, Dyfed-Powys, Essex, Greater Manchester Police, Gwent, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Kent, Metropolitan Police Service, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire, South Wales, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Sussex, Surrey, Thames Valley Police, Warwickshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.