A Real Taste of the Job Offered as Ride Along Scheme Restarts

Hertfordshire Constabulary is offering residents interested in policing the chance to go out on patrol with officers to get a real taste of the job.

The force last week relaunched its ride along programme, which was paused in March 2020 when the pandemic first hit.

‘The ride along programme offers people a real-life glimpse of policing. You get the chance to shadow officers as they’re called to all kinds of jobs – from missing people searches to thefts, traffic incidents and shoplifting,’ explained Inspector Steven Alison, from the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Team.

‘While we are working through existing ride along applications, we are now ready to process more, so I’d invite anyone considering a career as a police officer to apply now. If you’re about to leave school, college or university and are hesitating about joining policing, a ride along could make a huge difference.

‘Not only will you get a taste of the different jobs we get called to – it’s true when they say no two days are the same – you’ll get to spend time with serving officers who are a credit to our police force, who put on the uniform because they care about our communities and the people living and working in Hertfordshire.’

All applications are reviewed with a vetting process taking place before dates are arranged.

If you are aged over 16 and would like to go along on a ride along please email ridealong@herts.police.uk to ask for an application form.

Insp Alison added: ‘It is important that our workforce be more reflective of the fantastic diverse communities we serve so I would especially encourage Black, Asian and minority ethnic people to apply.’

There are multiple routes into a policing career, and we have several training courses starting this year. The entry routes are:

• Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) – join as a police officer and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice. This is a three-year, work-based, practical and vocational degree.
• Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) – aimed at those who have a degree in any subject. In your first two years, you will achieve a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice whilst you train as a police officer. If you feel inspired to become a Hertfordshire police officer, visit the police officer recruitment website at www.hertspoliceofficer.co.uk to find out how to apply and register your interest.

Through its ‘Positive Action’ scheme, Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to building relationships with under-represented groups and encouraging them to join the policing family. For more information and support visit the police officer recruitment website diversity page www.hertspoliceofficer.co.uk/diversity.