Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway, has launched one of the largest searches for new Police Constables ever staged by the force as she looks to fill 156 new officer posts this year.
Bedfordshire Police is currently running a recruitment process for Police Constables following the announcement of a national uplift from the Government, with funds for 36 new officers in 2020-21. This has been further boosted with another 20 new officer posts promised by the PCC and funded by an increase in the police share of council tax.
Bedfordshire Police is looking for new officers to boost its front line and also replace those leaving and retiring, which amount to approximately 100 officers each year, meaning there are 156 positions to fill in total, making it one of Bedfordshire Police’s biggest every recruitment drives.
“We’re looking for individuals who value honesty, integrity and respect as well as those who demonstrate leadership, objectiveness and selflessness to represent all Bedfordshire’s communities and become a police officer.
“This county has a rich diversity of ethnicities and cultures and more than 140 languages are spoken here. We’re looking for representatives of each and every one of those communities as part of our recruitment drive and have the proud distinction of being third for BAME diversity in the country after the vast Metropolitan Police and West Midlands Police following their own efforts to also attract a more representative workforce.
“I can assure you that you’ll be valued and supported as part of a ‘family’ force recently graded as ‘good’ across the board this year for all of efficiency, effectiveness, leadership, legitimacy and keeping people safe by the police watchdog. We want to be the best force in Britain and the most welcoming of all candidates across diversity and have mentoring programmes to that end,” said the PCC.
The PCC and Chief Constable, Garry Forsyth, who is the national portfolio lead on Race and Religion for the National Police Chiefs Council, are keen to ensure policing in Bedfordshire is representative on the front line by inviting community members to assist with the recruitment process
Montell Neufville, the independent Chair of the community Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel and Use of Force Scrutiny Panel, said: “Over the past couple of years I have interviewed over 140 people to become police officers and I’m comforted knowing these individuals are now patrolling our communities across the county working to keep everyone safe and responding to issues. They represent the future of the force and will be the future police leaders of tomorrow. We need to keep working to ensure that the police service of Bedfordshire reflects all the communities it serves.”
Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, Garry Forsyth, said: “Policing is a challenging role, especially in these trying times, but one of the most rewarding. At Bedfordshire Police we can proudly say we can offer you endless opportunities, I have gone from the classic bobby on the beat and worked my way up to Chief Constable.
“By joining us, you can carve a career that you will be proud of and we will support you and your ambitions throughout your time with us.”
Karena Thomas, Chief Superintendent, said: “We are always excited to see the passion and enthusiasm of the new recruits coming through our doors and we are continuing to welcome more people to join us.
“Bedfordshire is a fantastic place to police, it is fast paced, varied and challenging but offers so many opportunities to make a difference both on a personal level and to the local community. It is vital that we have the right people on board to serve our communities and strive to create a workforce of diverse background, experience and opportunity.
“We have adapted our application processes and training programmes within current Covid-19 restrictions to ensure we can continue with our recruitment drive and help more people discover their potential.”
“This commitment to both excellence and representation of our whole community over the past four plus years that I’ve been PCC for Bedfordshire is not just window dressing. It’s an absolutely genuine set of ambitions for our police force, myself and our Chief Constable,” said Commissioner Holloway.
Bedfordshire Police is currently recruiting for Police Constables and Police Community Support Officers. To learn more about a career in policing and to apply, visit www.bedfordshire.police.uk/careers
