A total of 24 new Durham Police Officers have been formally ‘sworn in’. The officers started their service this week and took the oath in front of Chief Constable Mike Barton, other members of the Executive Team, and Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.
After swearing an oath of allegiance to The Queen, which was accepted by Chris Shore, chairman of the South Durham Magistrates, they were presented with their warrant cards and become fully fledged student officers.
They are now ready to start full training, which involves 11 weeks based in the classroom, followed by ten weeks training with an experienced officer. At the end of that period they will be assessed as being capable of independent patrol and will be assigned to a particular area of work.
The Chief Constable said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to recruit these new officers, and it’s particularly pleasing that a number of them have previously been Police and Community Support Officers with us, so they will be building on their existing good work.
“I look forward to them helping us deliver the force vision of inspiring confidence in victims and our communities by protecting neighbourhoods, tackling criminals and solving problems, around the clock.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg added: “I was delighted to have been invited to attend the ceremony as Durham’s first Police and Crime Commissioner to welcome these new officers into Durham Constabulary. I am confident that they will show the utmost commitment to the force and perform to the highest of standards as they join a police force which is dedicated to serving the people of County Durham and Darlington.”
