New recruits join Cambridegshire police force

The county’s 18 new police officers stood in formation at force headquarters in Huntingdon, before being inspected by Chief Constable Nick Dean.

The graduates have traded in careers which are a far cry from patrolling the county’s cities, towns and villages, including being a beautician, pub manager, landscape gardener and underwriter to join the force and help keep Cambridgeshire safe.

Having successfully completed their 16-week training course, they will all now be posted across the county to tackle crime and protect the public.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Dean congratulated the recruits, telling them “all of you have done tremendously well from when you first forwarded your applications to the constabulary. Many people apply but only a small percentage succeed and you as a group are one of those success stories. You should be really proud of your achievements.

“You are now beginning a unique career in policing. One which is exciting, varied and ever more complex and challenging, but equally a career that presents itself with huge opportunities. Opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Expectations of what we do are higher than ever, the scrutiny over what we do is very evident. That is why we need to act with integrity, impartially, fairness and diligence – values which are at the centre of Cambridgeshire Constabulary. These values should run through the core of everything you do, both inside and outside work.

“Our role is to build trust and confidence within our communities and that we are here to work alongside them in maintaining public peace and preventing and detecting crime.

“You have all joined with different experiences, different skills, ideas and approaches. We have employed you for what you bring to the constabulary. Diversity in all its forms, diversity of thought, ideas, and experience enriches our policing family and supports the communities it serves. Just as you will learn from your colleagues, we will also learn from you.

“I want to close as I opened with congratulations and thanks. You have joined a fantastic family in policing. Work hard, enjoy yourself, challenge yourself and become the best officer you can be. Welcome once again to Cambridgeshire Constabulary.”

The force is continuing its search for new constables; those who think they have what it takes are asked to apply via the force website at https://www.cambs.police.uk/.