Letter: Encourage new recruits by giving them suitable basic training fit for the job

In the, July 30, Star feature article 'Unanswered questions over extra police officers' our Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings referred to the recruitment of extra police officers, and that from next year they will be required either to have a degree or to work for a professional degree on the job.

What degree subject from current holders is acceptable to the force and what subject constitutes a professional qualification to be gained on the job? While new Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pledge of 20000 new officers is welcomed, and goes some way to remedying the neglect of the previous administration, will this new requirement cause some applicants to have second thoughts about becoming a police officer - and consequently the recruitment target of suitable officers not being met?

I appreciate that we are living in modern times and must keep up with combating the advance in "criminal activity degree" qualifications of many of today’s offenders, but is a police degree in whatever subject a suitable combative crime solution? Rather than having new recruits studying for a degree, I respectfully suggest Alan that they and the public be better served by being offered a basic practical course in the use of common sense, unarmed combat, first aid, ability to spot an offender from a mile away and apprehend them, the art of criminal detection a la Sherlock Holmes.

Our under staffed/funded police officers do an excellent job, often in difficult and dangerous situations, without them the country would be reduced to anarchy and citizens would live in fear of being a victim of the criminal fraternity. Encourage new recruits by giving them suitable basic training fit for the job and also those officers already on the force, rather than have them to work for/hold a degree.