PCC Caroline Henry alongside ex-military personnel at their passing out parade
The first cohort of ex-military personnel took part in a passing out parade last week after completing their initial training to become police officers in Nottinghamshire.
It comes after Nottinghamshire Police and the University of Derby recently launched the country's first scheme to provide a direct employment pathway for those in their military resettlement period to join the police service.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry played a pivotal role in bringing together the former policing Minister Kit Malthouse, former Veterans’ Minister Leo Docherty and former Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford to work together to make the scheme a reality.
It was set up to harness the skills and values that servicepeople possess, which align strongly with core policing principles of duty, service and protecting the public.
Commissioner Henry, who attended the parade at the force’s headquarters, said: “I was really proud to see our trailblazing military to policing pathway in action as our first set of officers took part in their passing out ceremony on Friday.
"This is personal for me as my husband was in the military for 26 years and through my work with military charities I have developed a passion for supporting those in the armed forces.
“These brave individuals have served their country proudly, and now they are going to serve Nottinghamshire Police in the same way.
“Military service leavers have a lot of the skills we want in police officers and the life experience, professionalism and teamwork they bring with them will be invaluable.”
The new officers have now been dispatched to Response teams across Nottinghamshire where they will help policing colleagues respond to emergency and non-emergency calls from members of the public.
The six recruits will spend ten weeks with the Response units having been fast-tracked through year on of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).
Upon completion of the PCDA, the recruits will graduate and become fully-fledged police officers with Nottinghamshire Police.
Launched at RAF Cranwell in March, the Military Service Leavers Pathway into Policing programme is part of an employment pathway that has been validated by the University of Derby, which is providing the teaching for the programme, and is supported by the Ministry of Defence.
Sergeant Dylan Boddy, of the force’s Learning & Development team, said the pilot Military Service Leavers Pathway into Policing programme was receiving positive feedback.
He said: “This is a pioneering scheme that provides a direct pathway for military service leavers, who are in their resettlement period, to move into an exciting career with Nottinghamshire Police.
“So far, the feedback from the cohort has been really good. They’ve completed their initial 12 weeks of training and are now really keen to get into the community to serve as police officers.
“The standards have been really high, which is no surprise given their previous experience in the military service.”
Friday’s passing out parade also included a new PCSO and two Special Constables, who have also undergone weeks of training ahead of taking up their new roles in the community.
The parade was overseen by Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper, who said: “I am delighted to welcome the latest recruits on-board and wish them every success in their future roles.
“We are particularly proud to be the first in the country to launch the Military Service Leavers Pathway into Policing programme in partnership with the University of Derby.
“It is an exciting and innovative new pathway that recognises the valuable experience those who have been in the military can bring to policing.
“Their service and commitment will be greatly appreciated by those who live, work and visit Nottinghamshire.”
Posted on Thursday 13th July 2023