Training
Police Officers have to be ready to deal with any situation they
might encounter on patrol. For Essex Police recruits that means 32
weeks of intense training.
We split our training programme into two parts.
For the first 20 weeks, probationary officers attend Essex
Police College in Chelmsford for theoretical and practical training
and assessment. Whilst there, they complete two community
placements. Typical placements include lending a hand at a
children’s hospice and working alongside youth offending teams.
Once this phase has been successfully completed, officers have a
week’s leave and are then posted to a Professional Development Unit
on division where they begin a further 10 weeks’ training.
This training is carried out under the guidance of professional
development officers and tutor constables who guide and assess the
students in their professional development.
SOLAP
During this time probationary officers start the Student Officer
Learning and Assessment Portfolio (SOLAP), an electronic file which
outlines the skills they must demonstrate to become a police
officer. Once particular components have been successfully
completed the officers are able patrol independently.
Officers then work towards finishing their
SOLAP
,
gaining an
NVQ
in Policing levels
three and four upon completion.
All officers are required to complete a two-year probationary
period during which they are monitored by their shift supervisors.
Once they have successfully completed all required stages, the
probationary officers are fully confirmed in the role of
constable.
Fitness tests
As a police officer you
will be required to handle a variety of situations involving
physically challenging tasks. For this you need a reasonable level
of strength, agility and stamina to deal with situations as well as
to defend yourself and others. Read through our
job related fitness test
document and
example
training programme together with a
blank training
programme for more details.
Neighbourhood Policing Teams
At the end of the probationary period, new recruits are likely
to serve two years as a Neighbourhood Specialist Officer
(
NSO
) on a
local neighbourhood policing team.
This allows them to:
- experience a variety of policing styles
- develop as a police officer
- perform a valuable role in the local community.
