Federation welcomes Home Office re-think over degrees

16 November 2022

The Home Office appears to be scrapping its mandatory requirement for police officer recruits to study for a degree level qualification.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman confirmed that she will no longer be phasing out the non-degree entry route into the job, in a speech to chief constables and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) last week.

She said: “To build public confidence, we must draw from the widest possible pool of talent across all sections of society. Whilst I have heard some good things about the new entry routes, such as better retention of officers who feel better equipped to do the job, I have also heard from many of you that there is a need for more flexibility to ensure broad access to a policing career.

“So, I have asked the [College of Policing] 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.”

Ms Braverman added: “Our police force must be open to those who do not have a degree or want one.”

Her comments came after 16 PCCs signed a letter warning that a three-year programme of study was putting off older recruits and the non-academically minded from applying to become police officers, thereby making it more difficult for the Government to achieve its goal of a 20,000-officer uplift.

The letter added that up to 10 per cent of new officers are ‘stuck in classrooms’ rather being out on the frontline policing the streets.

Welcoming the move, West Mercia Police Federation chair Sarah Cooper said: “This looks like good news for new recruits and for the future of policing. The extra pressure that has been placed on our recruits due to the degree requirements was not sustainable. The current emphasis on academic ability means we have either not been attracting individuals with the necessary practical and life skills to be an effective officer or we are losing those we do recruit.

“Based on my conversations with student officers exiting the service, it is because they could not balance operational policing, with study for a degree and their right to have a personal life. We are asking too much of these officers and in return they receive a pittance of a starting salary.

“There is a need to reflect the communities we serve, but the Government obsession with academia meant that we had narrowed down opportunities for those who may not be academically minded but have skills and experience that is hugely valuable in serving the public. Policing is about so much more than academic ability and this issue needed to be addressed urgently to ensure that entry routes into the police are inclusive and attract individuals with a range of skills, experience and academic ability.

“I am pleased that the Home Secretary has listened to those in policing about this issue.”