Fed chair welcomes retention of non-degree entry route to policing

11 November 2022

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy has welcomed the Home Secretary Suella Braveman’s decision to ensure a non-degree entry route into policing is kept open.

The move comes after a backlash from chief constables, police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and Police Federation leaders who all warned a blanket degree requirement for all new officers was having a serious impact on recruitment options.

Sixteen PCCs wrote a letter to Suella Braverman warning that up to 10 per cent of their officers were studying for the qualification rather than fighting crime with over-stretched colleagues on the frontline.

Responding to the news that Ms Braverman was ditching the requirement, Matthew said: “I think common sense has prevailed here and it is encouraging that our views on this issue have been taken seriously and acted upon.

“We have always said you don’t need to have  a degree to be a good police officer and equally we would never stand in the way of a recruit who wanted to take an academic route into policing - both should be perfectly acceptable.

“By taking away the degree requirement the Home Secretary has left us with the best of both worlds so we welcome her comments and look forward to more common sense decisions in the future.”

Since last year, recruits have been required to have a degree or to join as an apprentice while they earn a qualification.

The College of Policing stood by the change and insisted it gave officers recognition and accreditation as professionals.

But Ms Braverman told a conference for police chiefs that she had asked the college to consider options for a new non-degree entry route, alongside the process for recruits who took higher education.

She said: “I have asked the college to build on their work by considering options for a new non-degree entry route, to deliver officers of the highest calibre, which will complement the existing framework.

“In the meantime, the current transitional non degree entry route will be kept open. Our police force must be open to those who do not have a degree or want one.

“And I will take the scissors to any red tape that gets in your way.”