Hertfordshire Constabulary welcomes 16 new officers at 'passing out parade'

A number of new officers have been welcomed to Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Family and friends joined 16 recruits at a ‘passing out parade’ at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, earlier this month.

The officers were presented with certificates by Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson, marking the end of their initial training with other senior officers and trainers in attendance.

The cohort consisted of 10 ex-students, a former immigration detention custody officer, a warehouse operative, a transport logistics worker, a sports centre manager, a store manager and a teaching assistant.

Mr Jephson said: “Congratulations on completing your training. You’ll have experienced a wide range of scenarios but now you enter the real world of policing and will be putting everything you’ve learnt into practice, whilst also developing your learning further along the way.

“You will be the person victims meet in their time of need and will encounter some difficult situations, but I know you will all make a positive impact and continue to build on the strong relationships with our communities. I wish you all the very best in your careers.”

PC Libby Bridgen added: “I wanted to join the police because I’ve always loved helping people and aspired to make a positive difference in my local community. I’ll never forget when someone once asked me why I was looking to join a job that was all ‘doom and gloom’, because their perception was that each day, you’re just delivering bad news. However, that’s not the case at all and I feel honoured to be in a job that enables me to make a difference every day, helping those in need and everything that comes with it.“I’m so excited to start my placement. I’m looking forward to supporting my first victim and to come away knowing that I’ve helped someone.”

The constabulary is currently taking applications for new police officers via two entry routes, the Police Constable Entry Programme and the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. Those interested can visit the Hertfordshire Police website for information and to register their interest.