A GROUP of 35 new trainee police officers took their first steps towards becoming a Wiltshire Police Constable this week, joining 15 others who have just finished their initial training.

The trainees took part in an inspection parade last Thursday (aug 17) outside Police HQ in Devizes.

The force is seeing a renewed interest in its work following the current Channel 4 TV series 999 What’s Your Emergency, a documentary with cameras trailing officers day and night; giving a real insight into the exciting and varied range of career opportunities policing offers.

Laura Todd from Chippenham worked as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) before successfully applying to train as a constable. She said: “Although I’ve loved the last two years, I’ve always wanted to be a police officer and am thrilled to have the chance now to fulfil my career dream.”

Commenting on his first week in the job, Joseph Rees, who was also worked as a PCSO in Swindon, said he was excited to have been accepted on to the course. “It’s a highly desirable job with plenty of opportunities and high profile too, always being in the public eye,” he said.

The trainees were welcomed at the parade by Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard and Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson, who spoke to the 50 recruits.

ACC Pritchard said, “It’s fantastic to welcome our latest recruits to Wiltshire Police at the start of their career. Inspections like this are not just for show; we expect the highest professional standards of our police officers. Looking smart is very important both to us as a force and what the public expect from us to earn their respect.”

Recruitment for PCs and PCSOs opens again early in September, and the force is currently looking for contact centre operators to staff the 24-hour crime and communications centre in Devizes. For info go to www.wiltshirepolice.uk