Fast-track scheme for Shropshire and Mid Wales police recruits
A fast-track recruitment drive has been launched to get police officers into forces in Shropshire and Mid Wales.
West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police are looking for ambitious graduates, serving special constables and employees of the police service to join a fast track accelerated promotion and development programme.
Dyfed-Powys force has also announced it is joining the programme.
West Mercia's involvement follows the revelation last week that it is behind with its recruitment officers. The force was urged by its crime commissioner Bill Longmore to take urgent steps to speed up the recruitment process.
West Mercia and Warwickshire, which have a formal sharing arrangement, announced in May that 140 new officers would be taken on, but around 100 of the vacancies are still to be filled.
Mr Longmore said cutbacks within the force, which is trying to save £30 million between April 2015 and 2018, had affected some parts of the service worse than others and there had also been a high and unexpected number of retirements.
He also said he was frustrated with how long it was taking to recruit new faces.
The fast-track programme, run by the College of Policing, will equip successful candidates with the skills, knowledge and experience to advance from police constable to sergeant and up to the rank of inspector within three years – a progression which ordinarily takes six years or more.
Richard Elkin, director of enabling services for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, said the programme would incorporate "hands-on" policing experience alongside classroom-based training. "
We are looking for dedicated individuals with leadership potential."
The closing date for applications is December 19. Anyone aged 18 to 57 with a 2:1 degree may apply providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Police staff and members of the Special Constabulary do not need to be graduates but must have a level 3 qualification.