Training our new recruits

At Essex Police we value the importance of the training our officers. The training process is a rigorous and thorough process to give police students the best head start in their career with us.

Before training begins

Students will need to attend a pre-employment weekend (scheduled six weeks before their start date). This consists of an examination which students need to pass to be able to progress into training. The weekend also includes pre-read material which supports their learning in training.

Pre-employment weekend:

• Pre-read material
• Code of ethics training
• Needs and expectations of the course
• Discussion of learning styles to help applicants
• Pre-joining work
• Discussion overview of law for England and Wales

Training timeline: 

• 18 weeks in college (Monday to Friday) finishing with passing out parade
• 1 week break
• 10 week on Local Policing Area (LPA) with a tutor (with tasks to complete)
• 2 week post foundation phase (1 week crime and 1 week cybercrime)
• 2 week break
• 18 weeks of development investigation model consisting of;

1. 8 weeks Juno (Operation Juno work alongside the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team and Local Policing Teams protecting vulnerable people at risk to domestic abuse)
2. 4 weeks CID (Criminal Investigation Department  which investigates robberies, burglaries, sexual offences, fraud and drug offences)
3. 4 weeks Public Protection Command (PPC oversees missing person cases, domestic abuse cases, sexual assault, honour-based abuse and forced marriage cases and hate crime investigations as well as safeguarding vulnerable adults and those with ill mental health, as well as safeguarding people)
4. 2 weeks Community Policing Team (inclusive of community project around a local issue)

• 1 week break
• Final post foundation week (to complete diploma) or attachment to shift
• Remaining months spent on LPA
• Finishing with 2 years confirmation ceremony

18 weeks training in college consists of:

• Law knowledge throughout
• Techniques and ways to deal with various situations 
• Defensive skills training (1 week)
• First Aid course
• Crime scene management training
• Public protection (including CSE, FGM, Domestic abuse and others)
• Role play exercises & practical assessments
• Community placement days (fire and rescue, mental health and somewhere of their choice)
• Interviews week (with suspect interviewing and custody procedures)

At the end of training, the newly appointed officers receive a recognised diploma; Level 3 in Policing.