Over 1,000 people have applied to become a police officer in Leicestershire in the last six months

Over 1,000 people have applied to become a police officer in Leicestershire in the last six months.

The flood of applications comes after Leicestershire Police teamed up with De Montfort University to offer a new route into policing for those with a degree or who are about to receive one.

The two-year Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) was launched in January this year.

Since then the force has seen 941 people apply for DHEP, with 24 per cent of applications coming from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates.

The organisation also recently opened recruitment for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme.

In the first two weeks, Leicestershire Police received over 100 applications.

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “I’m delighted to see so many people applying for both DHEP and the policing apprenticeship.

“Both entry options offer a fantastic opportunity to learn on the job, getting first-hand insight into life as a police officer as well as obtaining a Graduate Diploma or a degree on completion of the training.”

Mr Cole added: “We are one of the first forces in the country to offer the PCDA in partnership with De Montfort University.

“I am excited to welcome the successful candidates to the Leicestershire Police family.”

Last month, 32 new recruits were sworn in as officers.

Kelly Walker, 24, who was among them, said: “It’s brilliant to see so many people wanting to join the force and make a difference.

“For me, Leicestershire was the only force I was interested in joining.

“I was drawn to applying to Leicestershire Police because of how diverse the communities are.

“I think it will be really interesting and exciting to engage with people from so many different backgrounds.”

She added: “There also seemed to be a real effort by the force to want to recruit more women which really appealed to me.

“I am so pleased to be finally starting to train for a career I’ve been thinking about for so long.

“The cohort I have joined with are all so great and although my family live nearly 100 miles away, it already feels like we are family.”

Successful candidates who applied for the Degree Holder Entry Programme will join as police officers from day one.

The two-year training plan will see them learning on the job with some academic and coursework-based training too.

Trainee officers have a starting salary of £24,000.

They will also receive a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice (PPPD) from De Montfort University, the awarding body, when they complete their training.

The Degree Holder Entry Programme re-opens on Monday July 20.

To find out if you’re eligible or to begin your application, visit the force website here:

https://www.leics.police.uk/police-forces/leicestershire-police/areas/leicestershire-force-content/careers/join-us/police-officers/new-police-officer/

Recruitment is also open for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme.

Successful recruits start out as fully-warranted officers.

Over three years they conduct 80 per cent on the job training and 20 per cent studying with De Montfort University.

Applicants need to have a GCSE at a 4 or Grade C in English and Maths at time of applying and a level 3 qualification such as an A-Level, AS-Level, NVQ or international baccalaureate at time of applying or by the following August.

The degree is fully funded by the College of Policing and the students earn a salary of between £18,450 and £25,270 during the apprenticeship.

The course covers areas critical to policing such as evidence-based policing, supporting vulnerable people, dealing with cyber-crime and crime prevention.

Applications for the apprenticeship programme closes on Monday August 31.

To apply for the PCDA, visit www.leics.police.uk/joinus