Yesterday marked a defining moment for 124 Police Now recruits as they took the oath of attestation at the organisation’s academy.
The ceremony, conducted by a magistrate, marks the point at which recruits become warranted police constables, committing to serve with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality as they begin their careers in policing.
The newly attested officers will now undertake up to 13 weeks of intensive training before joining either the Metropolitan Police Service or West Midlands Police, where they will complete Police Now’s two-year National Graduate Programme.
Addressing the cohort, Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, reflected on the significance of the milestone and the responsibility that comes with policing.
She said: “Today marks for you more than the start of a new job. It marks a commitment to public service and a promise to the communities that you will serve.”
She added: “What’s remained constant throughout all of the roles I’ve taken is the simple truth that policing is about people – and you must remember that.
“It’s about the victim who needs someone to listen, it’s about the family that’s probably experiencing the worst day of their lives when you turn up, it’s about the community seeking reassurance and it’s about working together to solve problems that no individual could solve alone.”
She went on to highlight the importance of the recruits’ different backgrounds and experiences: “One of the things that gives me enormous confidence about the future of policing is the diversity of talent entering the service through programmes like Police Now.
“The breadth of backgrounds, your experiences and perspectives all represented here strengthens policing and strengthens the communities we serve.”
The cohort is only the second at Police Now’s academy to bring together officers specialising in both Neighbourhood and Counter Terrorism, enabling participants to learn alongside colleagues from different disciplines from the very start of their careers.
They bring a wide range of skills, knowledge and experiences, having studied at 56 universities across a broad range of subjects.
More than half (58%) have joined the programme from previous careers, while 68% identify as female and 25% are from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.
For trainee neighbourhood officer Megan Turner, attestation marked the start of a new career after four and a half years working as an animal technician.
Reflecting on taking the oath, she said: “I was slightly nervous but excited because it feels official now and like quite an important step. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a police dog handler, so I’m really looking forward to working towards that goal.”
Jess Lewis, a fellow trainee neighbourhood officer and the first person in her family to become a police officer, described the ceremony as a proud moment.
She said: “My family are really excited for me to be here today. I’m straight out of university, so it’s very different, but I’m looking forward to the structure and fulfilment that comes with the role.”
“I liked saying the oath with everyone else because it felt like we were a team doing it together, like one big family,” she added.
