Staffordshire Police’s first ever policing degree students celebrate graduation

Our first ever cohort of students on two policing programmes of study have celebrated their graduation this week. A total of 65 student recruits graduated at a special ceremony held at Staffordshire County Showground on Monday (7 November). The students, who began their studies in June and October 2019, completed their Degree in Professional Policing Practice (PCDA) or Diploma in Professional Policing Practice (DHEP) in June and October this year. A total of 48 recruits completed the three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, while 17 finished their two-year Degree Holder Entry Programme.

Both programmes of study combined a mixture of on-the-job practical policing experience with detective teams, as well as academic tutoring and rotations in different Staffordshire Police departments. The force has worked in partnership with Staffordshire University to deliver the courses, which provide two entry routes into policing, both delivered under licence of the College of Policing. Following their graduation, the students will now become officers based in either our response, neighbourhood or specialist investigation teams. Chief Constable, Chris Noble, said: “These courses have offered the students a significant insight into the day-to-day world of policing that I’m sure they will encounter as they continue in their policing careers.

“The programmes are both challenging and fulfilling, much like the job they are soon to take on.

“No two days will be the same and the students should be so proud of what they have achieved in their studies as they look towards an exciting career with Staffordshire Police.

“I was thrilled to see them graduate and wish them all the very best in their futures in the force.”

Paul Sims, Professional Development Unit Manager at Staffordshire Police, said: "It was great to see so many of our DHEP and PCDA recruits graduate, after two or three years of carrying out frontline duties while studying with Staffordshire University.

"Both programmes enabled these graduates to gain hands-on experience in the force, while also furthering their academic qualifications, which is vital as policing continues to evolve and change every day.

"They have already made some fantastic first steps in their career to help protect and serve their communities and make a real difference.

“I look forward to seeing them progress and I’m sure the people of Staffordshire look forward to seeing them continue to provide the professional policing service that our communities expect.”

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University, Professor Martin Jones said: “Our police partnership continues to go from strength to strength and the achievements of these fine officers, the opportunities that have now opened up to them and impact they are having on the communities they serve are a testament to the passion of the teams at both Staffordshire University and Staffordshire Police.

“We’re proud to be supporting such exceptional officers through their early career journeys and I was honoured to spend the evening celebrating with our graduate officers, their families and friends. It is an event I will remember for a long time to come and one which I hope gave something back to every officer who has committed to a life of public service.”

To find out more about a career with Staffordshire Police, visit Careers | Staffordshire Police.

For more on the degree apprenticeship and degree holder programmes, also visit: Careers | Staffordshire Police.