Wiltshire PCC welcomes open alternative entry route for police officer recruitment

PCC Philip Wilkinson campaigned for change to a blanket requirement for new police officers to commit to studying for a degree since taking his role as PCC, arguing the Force was losing out on skills, life experience and recruiting a wider range of people like Special Constables, PCSOs and those from military backgrounds, with the academic restrictions.

Mr Wilkinson backed calls for the Home Secretary to lift the requirement last year and warned the Force was facing a perfect storm of recruiting officers but not actually being able to put them on the streets visibly fighting crime as they are tied up in training or in classrooms for months on end.

Now, Wiltshire Police has reintroduced the Initial Police Learning Development Programme (IPLDP) for candidates who do not want to work towards an academic qualification alongside becoming a police officer.

Mr Wilkinson said: “I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and Wiltshire Police is once again offering as many routes to becoming a police officer as possible.

“Modern policing requires a range of skills and expertise, not all can be taught in a classroom, but unfortunately an academic qualification will have put off a lot of highly-skilled people from applying for the role. This addition makes our routes in to policing more equal and hopefully we will attract many more people to the force who will make brilliant police officers.

“Policing already has one of the youngest, most inexperienced, workforce it has ever had and we were just making it more difficult for ourselves by having such a draconian approach to policing recruitment.

“There are plenty of excellent police officers – and many, many, successful Chief Constables - over the years who do not have a degree but have received training, leadership skills and earned their policing insight and experience on the job.

“In Wiltshire we do not want to be missing out on the experience and expertise earned in other areas which could really have a positive impact on what we are trying to achieve in Wiltshire – more police on our streets and a safer Wiltshire for all.”

Successful applicants will join Wiltshire Police from November 2023, with initial training lasting 20 weeks followed by a move to a local policing area for a period undertaking operational tutoring and coaching while working in the community. After completing the IPLDP, police officers will be able to consider further specialism and progression within the Force.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “As one of our routes that we offer, IPLDP ensures that new recruits have the highest possible standard of training, however they will be able to join their teams quicker than the current available routes and will not be extracted away from developing their frontline experience in order to progress their individual academic study.

“This is a real opportunity for Wiltshire Police, and for anyone who wishes to have an incredibly varied, challenging, responsible and humbling role.

“You will be trained and supported to deliver the highest quality of day-to-day policing, develop investigative skills to manage complex investigations, and look after those who need our help. There is nothing more noble that being there for someone else in their moment of vulnerability and I welcome all those who wish to join me in Keeping Wiltshire Safe.”