7 July 2021

The police service is about having the best people for the job, not just those who can meet academic standards

“The police service needs to attract the best people for the job - not the people who can achieve an academic level to satisfy the job description”

Dorset Police Federation Chair James Dimmack has added his view to the debate on whether all police officers should require a degree to do the job.

James said: “Policing is made up from a cross section of society to police society by consent. That requires a vast range of often unquantifiable skills and abilities. Put frankly the ability to speak with people from all backgrounds on a level is a priceless commodity.

“This is evermore so given the digital and detached age we live in.”

The College of Policing wants all recruits to gain a degree before joining the force – or to gain one on the job.

Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones – soon to be the new PCC head – has urged Home Secretary Priti Patel to scrap plans for graduate-only police recruits and says ex-soldiers will be better than university leavers with 'expressive dance' degrees.

His comments come after Nick Adderley, Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Constabulary, criticised the all-graduate recruit plans.

CC Adderley said police recruits joining after university are not prepared to work nights or weekends and are 'sadly lacking' in life experience.

James added: “The police service needs to attract the best people for the job - not the people who can achieve an academic level to satisfy the job description. We need balance and we need to be true to our stated morals and ethics rather than a pre-ordained educational standard.”

Bernie O’Reilly, interim CEO of the College of Policing, said: “Policing has changed significantly in recent years and the new training has been created to reflect the challenges officers face and recognise the complex nature of the job.

“The public deserves highly trained, highly skilled officers that can protect them from all crime types, from domestic violence and digital fraud, through to organised crime and modern slavery, as well as protecting vulnerable people.”

The College of Policing added that the new training scheme had already been adopted by 33 forces.