MORE than dozen new trainee detectives joined Avon and Somerset Police this week after completing an intensive 13-week training course in Police Now’s national residential academy.

The course was the first part of a two-year programme and they will now gain essential frontline experience with response teams before moving into investigative teams, as they are supported to become fully qualified.

The Avon and Somerset recruits were among a total of 72 new trainee detectives who have come through Police Now’s national graduate programme to join constabularies across the country.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary received 19 of the recruits.

They will now work with Criminal Investigation Departments (CIDs) to investigate complex cases, support victims of crime, and strengthen public confidence in policing.

Police Now head of academy Millie Tanner said: “This incredibly diverse cohort of new officers all bring such unique experiences and perspectives to the frontline, which will further support and better represent the communities they now serve.

“It is inspiring to see how hard they have worked during their academy training, and how much they have already demonstrated their passion, commitment, and resilience.

“Police Now is committed to supporting them throughout the two-year programme and beyond, so they can seek justice for victims of crime and make the biggest impact they can.

“They are embarking on a truly challenging and rewarding career, where they will make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Police Now drives innovation and diversity across the sector and helped pioneer direct-entry detective training across England and Wales.

It particularly focuses on recruiting and training those who had not previously considered a career with the police and consistently brings more women into policing compared to the policing workforce national average.

Of the 72 new detectives, 50 are women, significantly higher than the policing national workforce average of 35.4 per cent.