More police officers for Wiltshire in 2022
Wiltshire Police is set to increase the number of bobbies being trained and recruited
Wiltshire Police is increasing the number of police officers being recruited and trained throughout this year.
It's part of the Government’s drive to recruit an additional 20,000 officers nationwide.
Last week, the Home Office published its quarterly update on progress, by police forces across England and Wales, towards achieving targets set by the so called 'Police Uplift Programme'. The scheme runs to March 2023.
An extra 11,048 police officers have been recruited nationally between October 2019 and December 2021.
The latest 20,000-recruitment target, in addition to the normal turnover of officers who retire or leave the service each year, is expected to ease policing pressures. Ministers hope the new recruits will help to reduce crime, increase visibility, and improve outcomes for victims.
More officers for Wiltshire
Wiltshire is currently on track to meet its target of recruiting 48 additional officers, including two who are seconded to the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, by the end of the second Uplift year in April.
The Force says it's likely to exceed this target, with up to a dozen more officers than originally expected.
Over 200 officers have begun training in Wiltshire since the start of Uplift in autumn 2019.
'It’s great news for the public'
Chris McMullin, Director of People and Change, said: "We are looking to bring in around 160 new officers to start training in the next 14 months. It’s great news for the public and more opportunities for those considering a career as a police officer in Wiltshire.
"We want to attract and retain police officers from a wide range of backgrounds, to serve the public and a police service which fully represents our community.
"You can contribute to your community, help people in need and develop fantastic skills along the way".
'Wiltshire residents want to see an improved police service'
Wiltshire Police officer recruitment opens in April. The Force is encouraging residents to pre-register their interest on its Talent Bank.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson, added: "I have heard loud and clear that residents want to see an improved, and more visible police service from Wiltshire Police and these additional officers will play a key role in delivering that.
"The majority of the additional officers recruited so far have been deployed to Community Policing Teams with the focus of improving neighbourhood policing and community engagement".
Police recruitment - not a quick fix
Despite the fact that these officers will offer the Force a much-needed bolster, the PCC has warned that the policing service won’t change overnight:
"While these additional officers are of course a very welcome addition to Wiltshire, they are not a quick fix and it will take time before a meaningful difference is seen within our communities.
"It takes two to three years for a student officer to move through training and become fully independent, which includes the initial five months in the classroom.
"That said, we’re already starting to see the initial benefits of these additional officers and I continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that visible community policing remains central to future plans".