The University welcomes its first cohort of student officers

The 80-strong intake of officers started with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) earlier this week before being attested at GMP's Sedgley Park Training Centre yesterday (Wednesday 17 November 2021). Also in attendance as the officers swore their police oath was Assistant Chief Constable Scott Green, new GMP Detective Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr and Magistrate Stephen Paine.

Following a week-long induction period with GMP, they will spend time at the University and at GMP to complete their training.

The new recruits will then be posted to their respective districts in Spring 2022 to begin the tutor phase; working alongside more experienced colleagues to serve the public on the front line.

The PEQF programme was formally introduced as a mandatory requirement for all police forces in 2021 and is a key element under Policing Vision 2025, the ten-year vision for policing set out by the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.

In collaboration with the University of Salford and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), GMP have implemented two new high quality victim-centred student officer learning programmes:

• Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA):  A three-year professional policing degree apprenticeship, providing the opportunity for successful applicants to achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice with the University of Salford whilst serving as a police officer.
• Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP):  A two-year programme aimed at those who already have a degree in a non-policing subject and providing the opportunity for successful applicants to achieve a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice with the University of Salford whilst serving as a police officer.

Christopher Kinsella, Chief Resources Officer & Chief Financial Officer for GMP, said: “I am delighted to welcome our first intake of PEQF student officers during a period of ambitious change and growth for the force.  In choosing a career in policing with Greater Manchester Police, they are joining thousands of committed, courageous and professional individuals. 

"PEQF student officers will have opportunities to develop the management, leadership skills and knowledge they will need to deliver the high-quality policing that our communities deserve.  In addition, they will gain a Degree or Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice from University of Salford.

"I wish the new student officers every success as they begin their career with Greater Manchester Police."

Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford, said:  “The School and University are delighted to see the partnership with Greater Manchester Police and the University of Central Lancashire come to fruition with the start of the PCDA and DHEP programmes.

"This collaboration will deliver innovative and high-quality victim-centred learning to new student police officers and seeing the first cohort start their journey here at Salford is brilliant; I know they will contribute highly to the culture and development within the University.”

Professor Chris Pyke, Executive Dean: Faculty of Business and Justice for the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), said: “It is fantastic to start delivering these innovative new programmes for Greater Manchester Police alongside our colleagues at the University of Salford.

"UCLan has been a leader in the design and delivery of policing programmes within the higher education sector for the last 18 years and since early 2020 we have been successfully delivering the College of Policing nationally accredited PCDA and DHEP programmes with two other forces in the region.

"The step change within PEQF from police training to the higher education experience is a really exciting time for all involved. We are looking forward to developing the partnership with GMP in order to build the trust and confidence of the public in Greater Manchester by ensuring they receive an outstanding service from their police officers.”