50 Police Now officers have attended their Confirmation in Rank ceremonies at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) over the past two days (Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 August 2021), recognising them as substantive police constables.

These officers are part of the 267 Police Now officers who graduated from Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme last month (Wednesday 14 July 2021) – across 17 forces in England and Wales.

The ceremonies were held at GMP’s Sedgley Park complex and officers were presented with certificates and greeted by Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes and Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nicky Porter, both of GMP.

Addressing the attendees at the first ceremony, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, said: “I’m proud to be here at today’s confirmation in rank ceremony as these Police Now students enter the next phase of their police careers.

“The Police Now programme has provided them with a fantastic avenue into policing and they have so many opportunities ahead of them in GMP, where they’ll be able to continue to serve the public and make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Congratulations to everyone here today.”

At the second ceremony, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nicky Porter, said: “Congratulations to you all for reaching this milestone, you’re a real credit to the force and have been pioneers on the Police Now programme. You’re the people we’re looking to for the future of policing and the world is your oyster. I’m really proud of you and wish you the absolute best for your future careers.”

These officers have now finished Police Now’s two-year National Graduate Leadership Programme which recruits, trains and develops outstanding graduates with a commitment to public service and a belief in the enormous positive social change that outstanding community policing can deliver. The participants work as neighbourhood police officers in the most deprived communities in England and Wales.

The latest cohort of neighbourhood officers were attested at Police Now’s academies on Monday (2 August 2021) and have commenced their training.