Nine new trainee detective constables land in Avon and Somerset Police today (Monday 26th June), having just completed Police Now's National Detective Programme academy.

The 13-week residential academy began in March when almost 230 new officers – who all join their respective forces across England and Wales today – began their intensive training together.

They have developed the core policing skills and knowledge required for complex investigative work, in a mix of practical and classroom-based sessions led by experienced sergeants seconded from Police Now's partner forces. They have also completed field training shifts in their force Response teams and Criminal Investigation Departments. Police Now officers sit the challenging National Investigators' Exam at the academy and consistently achieve a higher-than-average first-time pass rate. At this year's detective academy, there was an average first-time pass rate of 75% compared to the national average of 59%. 

They now continue Police Now's two-year training and development programme in force, where they will play an integral part in solving cases and supporting victims of crime across the West Midlands. Supported by their experienced colleagues and Police Now Performance and Development Coaches, they will be Professionalising Investigation Programme Level 2 (PIP2) certified by the end of the two-year programme. 

Applications for the next intake of the National Detective Programme are currently open