100 neighbourhood police officers attested at Police Now’s academy

100 new police recruits – almost half of whom are women – are set to bolster neighbourhood policing teams across the country.

They will be dedicated to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and building public trust and confidence in policing, on Police Now’s National Graduate Programme.

The new officers were officially attested today (Monday 21st July) at Police Now’s national, residential training academy. They will now spend an intensive seven weeks at the academy before landing in forces across the country to continue Police Now’s two-year programme and become dedicated neighbourhood police officers.

The officers on this cohort will join Avon and Somerset Police, the Metropolitan Police Service, South Yorkshire Police and West Midlands Police.

Assistant Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police Jon Cummins addressed the officers at their attestation ceremony this morning. He said:

“Police Now is filled with a very clear purpose to bring new talent into policing, people from outside of traditional routes and roles, who reflect the communities that we serve.

“Today, you become part of that transformational programme, designed to bring people like you into the heart of public service. People with different backgrounds, fresh ideas, high standards, and the courage to care. You’re not just joining the service, you’re part of a national movement to improve it.

“Whilst you will serve in different places, you have a shared purpose to keep people safe, to uphold the law, to serve with fairness and integrity, and to build public confidence in policing. Be proud, be brave, be compassionate, and never forget this first day of your service and why you chose this path.”

Police Now was founded 10 years ago to support policing to innovate its approach to recruitment and training and drive essential diversity across policing.

Of those recruited to this cohort of the programme, 49% identify as women and 29% are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

The organisation is uniquely positioned to bring diverse talent into policing and support the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, as the only national entry-route into neighbourhood policing and the only policing organisation currently in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list.