Kent probationers will train at university

Kent Constabulary has announced plans to scrap the traditional 18-week regional training course for probationers in favour of a university-run course and in-force training.

It is set to become the first force in the country to send police recruits on a degree-level course as part of their training.

The move is in line with the HMIC report Training Matters that called for probationer training to be modernised.

Mike Fuller, the chief constable of Kent, said the new course would bring officers “closer to the community.” He added: “I hope it will increase public confidence.”

Currently, Kent probationers complete their initial training at Ashford, the regional training centre for police forces in the south east of England.

From October 2004 student officers will spend their first 12 months in the police service at Canterbury Christ Church University where they will take a foundation degree course.

Applicants who are already graduates will also be required to complete this specialist degree programme, described by the force as “the first step to continuous professional development for Kent police officers.”

Operational training will take place on a dedicated ‘learning station’ within the force where they will be known as student constables.

Specialist skills training such as safety and driver training will still take place at Kent Constabulary.

As the training is non-residential, the force hopes that it will attract applications from those who were deterred from having to stay at Ashford for 18 weeks while they completed their training.

“We hope that this new approach will also encourage more people to consider joining Kent police,” said Mr Fuller.

Tutor constables will support the new recruits as they learn how to support vulnerable members of the community as well as to deal with crime in a skilled and professional way.

Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a vocational foundation degree and be confirmed as a competent police constable.

• Seven forces are currently piloting schemes where new recruits are trained by the force instead of going to a regional training centre. These include Merseyside, West Yorkshire, North Wales, South Wales, Lancashire and Leicestershire. The move reflects concerns highlighted by the HMIC that there is insufficient community involvement in police training.

The results from the pilots will be evaluated later this year.