A PASSING out ceremony saw the largest intake of new officers in Dorset Police’s history taking the next step to join the ranks.

Some 55 new student officers, recruited as part of the national Uplift programme, joined the police in March and have since completed their initial classroom-based training.

To mark the achievement, the group came together at a special end-of-course ceremony in Poole on Thursday, September 7, joined by their family and friends.

The 55 new student officers will now move onto the next phase of their training – on the streets of Dorset.

Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said: “It is always such a pleasure to attend these special ceremonies and to celebrate all that our student officers have achieved and learned over the last few months.

“I meet our student officers on the first day they arrive, and it is fantastic to see how they have flourished thanks to their commitment and enthusiasm and the dedication of our training team.

“These new recruits will mean there are more officers serving the people and communities of Dorset and they are all eager to get out into our communities and make a difference. I would like to wish them well in this next phase of their training.”

As part of the Government’s Police Uplift Programme, Dorset Police recruited 174 new police officers, eight officers above the allocation.

It was the biggest recruitment drive in the force’s history and was in addition to the normal annual officer recruitment required to replace colleagues who resign, retire or leave.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick said: “I was delighted to be at the historic day for the passing out parade of Dorset’s largest ever training course last week.

“To see so many new recruits joining Dorset was a great sight and I am very much looking forward to seeing those officers out and about in our communities, both serving and protecting the public.

“The people of Dorset tell me that they want to see more officers out and about and these will be part of fulfilling the commitment in the police and crime plan to be more visible, connected and engaged.

“We look forward to seeing these new recruits out walking the beat, preventing crime and making Dorset a safer place for all.”

Dorset Police is recruiting now for police officers. To find out more, visit https://recruitment.dorset.police.uk/dorset-police-careers/dorset-police-officers/dorset-your-police-career/