DORSET Police have launched a campaign to recruit police constables as part of a national programme to increase numbers.

The campaign is part of the national Uplift scheme which was introduced following pressures after the government cuts to police funding between 2009-10 and 2017-18 - which saw police officer numbers reduced by more than 20,000.

Applications opened on June 23 and will close on Thursday, July 21 and it is hoped the campaign will attract individuals from a range of backgrounds, age and experience.

So far, Dorset Police have recruited an extra 56 student police officers during the first three months of 2022.

This recruitment success is due to be boosted with a further 140 student officers expected to join Dorset Police by the end of March 2023.

The recruitment drive has enabled the police to recruit officers who embody a more diverse representation of our communities and since the Uplift began Dorset Police say the percentage of officers from a black, Asian, mixed or minority ethnic background and the number of woman joining has increased.

Assistant Chief Officer Jo Mosley, Director of People and Support Services, said: “Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorset Police has worked hard to recruit its share of the 20,000 extra officers promised nationally by the Government and funded through the Uplift programme.

“I am delighted that we have welcomed people from across Dorset and from a range of diverse backgrounds. I hope that this will help make our police family more representative of the communities we serve.

“These much-needed extra officers are great news for our communities and will bring a welcome relief to our stretched workforce.

“During the third and final year of Uplift, the focus will be on increasing our frontline resources, as well as boosting our specialist teams such as neighbourhood policing and investigation capability, to help make Dorset a safe county for everyone and continue with our relentless pursuit of criminals.”

Police Constable Paul Miners, who joined Dorset Police via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, said: “I have always wanted to be a police officer and feel proud to wear the uniform and try to make a positive difference to the community I serve.

“Each and every day of my service has been different. I have had great days and days that have been challenging and left me feeling overwhelmed. However, I am part of a great team who all look out for each other. No matter what my day has been like I always know I have colleagues who are there for me. I feel very lucky to do the job I do.

“When I joined Dorset Police, I instantly felt part of a family and this feeling gave me the strength to believe I was capable of tackling anything I was met with.

“My journey in Dorset Police is still relatively new, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. I will always be proud of what I do and who I work for.”

Recruitment is open until midnight on Thursday July 21 July 2022. To find out more visit: https://recruitment-dcp-dp.org/dorset-your-police-career/police-officers/