This morning, 268 new frontline officers were attested at Police Now’s training academy as they begin their journey on the National Graduate Programme.
From thousands of applicants, these officers successfully demonstrated their drive, resilience, professionalism, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
They will spend up to 13 weeks at the intensive academy before joining police forces across England and Wales to continue the two-year programme – specialising in neighbourhood policing, economic crime, or detective careers.
Police Now’s national model brings together officers from different forces and specialisms at the start of their careers, to build an invaluable peer network and learn core frontline skills alongside a diverse group of colleagues.
Humberside Police Chief Constable Chris Todd addressed the national cohort at their attestation ceremony today. He said: “It’s fantastic to see detectives and neighbourhood officers training together. You may take different paths throughout your training, but you are all one team. If we work together, support each other, and understand each other’s roles, then we’re greater than the sum of our parts – and that’s how we really deliver operational efficiency and high performance. Policing is a career like no other. It’s about supporting victims, communities, and one another. My advice is to be humble, be honest, and have the moral courage to always do the right thing.”
The new officers arrive at a particularly exciting time, as Police Now enters its second decade of transformation and the government’s White Paper sets out its renewed commitment to bringing specially trained graduates into neighbourhood policing.
Of those attested today, nearly half will specialise in neighbourhood policing, to work on resolving long-term community issues and building public trust and confidence.
Nicole Lowry, who will specialise in neighbourhood policing in Dyfed-Powys Police via the programme, said: “I supported underprivileged youths in my previous career, and it inspired me to want to make a difference for young people in my community. I want to be a role model for them and help build their trust and confidence in the police service, through becoming a leader in neighbourhood policing. I’m looking forward to my academy journey and engaging with the public from the frontline.”
55% starting the programme today identify as female and 22% come from an ethnic minority background. They join from a range of degree backgrounds, from Computer Forensics, Biochemistry, and Aerospace Engineering, to Economics, Philosophy and Politics, and Sociology. On average, over half of Police Now officers had not considered a career in policing before seeing the opportunities presented by Police Now – helping to inject essential diversity of thought and background into the service.
The new officers join 10 forces across England and Wales – Avon and Somerset, City of London, Devon and Cornwall, Dyfed-Powys, Humberside, Merseyside, Northamptonshire, North Wales, Suffolk, and West Midlands.
