South Yorkshire Police set for ‘very, very young’ workforce following recruitment drive

Hundreds of new recruits are joining South Yorkshire Police but chiefs have warned there will be a “very, very young” workforce.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Force says it’s “absolutely on track” with its recruitment plan with 700 applicants awaiting assessment and 125 awaiting interview this year. The application process will reopen in May.

Officers are also being recruited to cover those leaving or retiring so there will be more than 1,000 new officers over the next three years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “We’re really pleased with the quality of recruits but we’re going to be left with a very, very young workforce.

Police.Police.
Police.

“It’s really important that we get the training right. There’s only so much we can teach in the classroom, the real learning comes when they experience policing for the first time and are deployed on the streets.

“When I joined the police we had tutor constables who took you out, showed you the ropes, and teached you the right way to do things and it’s really important we’ve got the right people to do that.

“Because we’ve got lots of new recruits we need lots of tutors. We’ve launched a tutor academy programme to ensure that we’ve got lots of officers who are fully equipped in terms of coaching and mentoring to make sure recruits get the skills and experience to qualify as patrol officers. That stage when they gain independent patrol status is really important.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

ACC Forber said training had changed and recruits now covered response, neighbourhoods and investigations.

He added: “It’s focused on producing a more experienced, more well rounded constable at the end of the programme but it’s really important that we have enough tutors to do that

“You can either join the new recruitment programme as a high level apprentice or at graduate entry, we’re getting a very high standard of applicants and it’s really pleasing for the future.”

SYP said Covid has brought unforeseen logistical challenges – they had to increase the number of classrooms at the existing training centre and make them all Covid-secure. Despite this, 308 officers have been recruited this past year.

Related topics: