New police officers sworn in via video link in Wales
New police recruits are being sworn in via video link in Mid Wales as forces try and keep the minimum number of people at headquarters.
Dyfed-Powys Police's latest intake are also home learning and getting secondments to the force's control room and custody units as it tries to maintain social distancing.
Detective sergeant Rob Gravelle, the force's Police Education Qualification Framework manager, explained: “We currently have three cohorts of new recruits – that’s 62 students – 40 of whom would currently be based at headquarters. This was not an option given the new social distancing legislation.
“We have devised separate plans for each group, allowing them to continue learning while staying safe, and minimising the risk of the virus spreading.
“We are in an unprecedented situation and it was important that we came up with solutions that would work for all our students – and quickly.”
The three groups of students are at different stages in their training – the first should have attended their passing out ceremony in early April, the second group joined in January, and the third are just a few weeks in.
Students would usually spend 28 weeks immersed in learning at the force headquarters in Llangunnor. To reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading among HQ staff, the first group completed their course two weeks ahead of schedule, and have just begun their duties on division.
For the second group, the training will be even more intense, with plans in place to finish seven weeks early.
