This week, over 400 officers graduated from Police Now's two-year National Graduate Leadership Programme and became members of the national alumni network.  

The diverse group of graduating officers – based across 18 forces in England and Wales – launched their policing careers in 2020, selected out of thousands of applicants to Police Now's two-year programme for their commitment to public service and their belief in the enormous positive social change that outstanding community policing can deliver.  

They have spent the last two years working as neighbourhood police officers, utilising their problem-solving and leadership skills to transform communities, proactively tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and build public confidence in policing. Joining the service at a challenging time with the global pandemic and several high-profile incidents which brought much public scrutiny, these officers have already demonstrated unwavering commitment to policing. 

Across the three graduation ceremonies held this week (25th and 26th October) to mark the milestone, the officers were addressed by Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward and Toni Long, Director of People and Organisational Development, both of West Midlands Police, as well as Superintendent Mark Runacres of Avon & Somerset Police and Police Now's CEO, Kurtis Christoforides.

Addressing the national cohort, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward, said: "It's a genuine pleasure and privilege to congratulate you all on your Police Now graduation today.

"You reflect the best of UK policing. Be proud of where you are and what you've achieved. Continue to be the leaders that you've already demonstrated you are. Treat everyone fairly, act with integrity and be prepared to stand up and always do the right thing.

"Never forget why you joined policing and the pride you felt when you put on your uniform on day one. Never forget the pride you rightly feel today as you graduate as substantive officers. I will watch your careers with excitement, pride and interest over the coming years, congratulations."

Two awards were presented at the ceremonies by Dr Michelle Rogerson on behalf of Police Now's academic partner, the University of Huddersfield:

• Police Constable Danielle Quentin, West Midlands Police: Best Impact Assignment
• Police Constable Lauren Schofield, West Midlands Police: Dean's Prize for Excellent Academic Achievement

In addition, several Alumni Impact Awards were presented to stand-out participants, nominated by their colleagues for outstanding contributions to policing.

These officers formed the sixth intake on Police Now's National Graduate Leadership Programme,

26 Oct 2022

Over 400 neighbourhood police officers graduate from Police Now's programme

DownloadThis week, over 400 officers graduated from Police Now's two-year National Graduate Leadership Programme and became members of the national alumni network.  

The diverse group of graduating officers – based across 18 forces in England and Wales – launched their policing careers in 2020, selected out of thousands of applicants to Police Now's two-year programme for their commitment to public service and their belief in the enormous positive social change that outstanding community policing can deliver.  

They have spent the last two years working as neighbourhood police officers, utilising their problem-solving and leadership skills to transform communities, proactively tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and build public confidence in policing. Joining the service at a challenging time with the global pandemic and several high-profile incidents which brought much public scrutiny, these officers have already demonstrated unwavering commitment to policing. 

Across the three graduation ceremonies held this week (25th and 26th October) to mark the milestone, the officers were addressed by Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward and Toni Long, Director of People and Organisational Development, both of West Midlands Police, as well as Superintendent Mark Runacres of Avon & Somerset Police and Police Now's CEO, Kurtis Christoforides.

Addressing the national cohort, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Ward, said: "It's a genuine pleasure and privilege to congratulate you all on your Police Now graduation today.

"You reflect the best of UK policing. Be proud of where you are and what you've achieved. Continue to be the leaders that you've already demonstrated you are. Treat everyone fairly, act with integrity and be prepared to stand up and always do the right thing.

"Never forget why you joined policing and the pride you felt when you put on your uniform on day one. Never forget the pride you rightly feel today as you graduate as substantive officers. I will watch your careers with excitement, pride and interest over the coming years, congratulations."

Two awards were presented at the ceremonies by Dr Michelle Rogerson on behalf of Police Now's academic partner, the University of Huddersfield:

• Police Constable Danielle Quentin, West Midlands Police: Best Impact Assignment
• Police Constable Lauren Schofield, West Midlands Police: Dean's Prize for Excellent Academic Achievement

In addition, several Alumni Impact Awards were presented to stand-out participants, nominated by their colleagues for outstanding contributions to policing.

These officers formed the sixth intake on Police Now's National Graduate Leadership Programme, and are now substantive police constables across the country. Read more about the impact Police Now participants are having in their local communities in the latest Impact Report.

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Police Now

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Notes to editors

Of those recruited to the programme in 2020, 54% identified as women and 17% identified as coming from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background (45% of whom identify as women), with 20 unique languages spoken across the cohort.  

The 18 forces that Police Now partnered with for this cohort (cohort six) of the National Graduate Leadership Programme:  

• Avon and Somerset Police 
• Bedfordshire Police
• Cambridgeshire Constabulary
• Essex Police
• Greater Manchester Police 
• Hertfordshire Constabulary 
• Humberside Police
• Kent Police
• Lancashire Constabulary 
• Metropolitan Police Service 
• North Yorkshire Police
• Northumbria Police
• South Yorkshire Police
• Staffordshire Police
• Surrey Police
• Sussex Police 
• West Mercia Police 
• West Midlands Police 

Read more about the impact that this cohort of officers has made whilst on Police Now's programme: 

• Police Now officer wins Student Officer of the Year and six others nominated in West Midlands Police Diamond Awards 
• Police Now officer in Avon and Somerset Police leads successful investigation into 'mate crime' case  
• Police Now officer in Wigan tackles Anti-Social Behaviour  
• Police Now officer in Northumbria wins Problem Solver award 
• Police Now officer in Humberside wins Student Officer of the Year award 
• Police Now officer in West Midlands works with community faith leaders  
• Police Now officer in Hertfordshire tackles drug dealing 
• Neighbourhood Policing Week: Police Now officer works with local mental health hospital in Hertfordshire
• Police Now participant in South Yorkshire Police wins Student Officer of the Year award

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