A NEW cohort of police officers will be walking the beat this year after being sworn in at Cumbria Constabulary’s headquarters.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said : “An exciting day today (Friday) as our new police constables – and first cohort of the year – are sworn in, in their attestation ceremony at HQ.”

Officers will join Cumbria Police in protecting the public at a time of unprecedented challenges, the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are three routes into the police force for aspiring officers, a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), the Degree Holder Entry Programme and the Pre Join Degree Programme.

A PCDA involves a three-year professional degree apprenticeship for someone who does not already have a degree-level qualification, who wants to join the force as an operational police officer whilst studying.

The Degree Holder Entry Programme could be right for you if you already hold a degree-level qualification in any subject area other than Professional Policing Practice.

It is a two-year academic and practical based programme which involves working as an operational police officer for Cumbria Constabulary whilst studying for a Professional Policing Diploma.

Applications are currently open on both. Although applications are currently closed on the Pre Join Degree Programme, it is normally available for anyone who already possesses a Professional Policing Practice degree.

Cumbria Constabulary recently took part in the National Police Chief’s Council’s Response Policing Week.

Serving police constable Rebecca Clark said: “Response policing is and always will be one of the roles where you can really make a difference in someone’s life from the very first time they see you, and for me that should be celebrated.”

Sergeant Michael Hird said: “Response policing is dynamic, exciting and sometimes bizarre.

“One incident could be safeguarding the vulnerable and the next could be arresting the violent and dangerous.

He said: “It will never not be a challenge but it will always be a quick paced and ever changing role.”

A spokesperson for Cumbria Constabulary said: “Cumbria Constabulary have selected UCLan as a higher education institute partner for the academic learning on the PCDA course.”

A range of roles are available at Cumbria Constabulary in addition to those learning on the job, the force is currently recruiting for a part time procurement officer.

For details on how to apply visit: www.cumbria.police.uk