14 more bobbies on the beat in Hertfordshire

The new constables – including a former refuse collector, hotel receptionist, a police community support officer (PCSO) and an airport valet parking manager, who is originally from Romania – paraded in front of their families and senior officers, including their new chief inspectors at Hertfordshire's police headquarters.

Chief constable Charlie Hall said: “All of our new officers go through a vigorous recruitment process before undergoing intensive training to ensure that they are fully equipped to deal with life on the frontline and I wish them all luck with their policing careers.

“We are recruiting to all kinds of roles: police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and volunteer police roles so I’d encourage people to consider a career with us. Think: ‘They did you can’.”

New recruits completed a 16-week training course at Letchworth Police Station which includes a mixture of classroom-based and practical sessions, covering a vast range of topics including law and powers, personal safety and dealing with volatile situations, first aid and safeguarding vulnerable victims.

The officers have now started shifts at local stations across the county, putting into practice all they learned, with two PCs based in Borehamwood; Hemel Hempstead; North Herts; Three Rivers; and Watford; and one in Broxbourne; Dacorum; Hertsmere; and Stevenage.

Charlie added: “Joining Hertfordshire Constabulary gives you the chance to be a part of a team that is passionate about your personal development, career progression, positively contributing to our local community and offer a welcoming, supportive workplace to people with different life experiences and backgrounds.”