51Âþ»­

The first cohort of 32 budding detectives has been sworn in as part of Leicestershire Police’s first Graduate Detective Scheme with 51Âþ»­.

A teacher, financial investigator, and prison officer are among some of the recruits ready to start the two-year programme which will equip them with the skills and training necessary to become a fully-fledged Detective Constable (DC) serving for Leicestershire Police.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with Team Leicestershire Academy and 51Âþ»­.

The first year will see recruits undertake uniformed elements of the job at training school, before being placed within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in their second year. At the end of the two years, they will become fully qualified detectives.

Caroline Thompson, Senior HR Business Partner and project lead for Op Cluedo said: “We have spent the last 15 months designing the force’s first detective graduate entry programme and I am so proud of it.

“It will support the force with the shortage of detectives, allow our current detectives to be released into other roles and bring in talented and diverse graduates to the force.”

Tracey Willetts, Senior Lecturer at 51Âþ»­ and a former Police Inspector, said: “51Âþ»­ and Leicestershire Police have been working in partnership on policing programmes for many years. The DC DHEP programme offers an exciting new route into policing.”

Yusuf Foolat is just one of the new recruits to join the force after graduating from Loughborough University earlier this year. He said: “Starting at Leicestershire Police begins a new chapter in my life and I hope to use all my experiences in order to be my best possible self.

“I will be able to come in with a fresh perspective in the world we now live in and become part of the new generation of policing.”

Yazmeen Jordan leaves behind her role as a prison officer to become a trainee detective. She said: “Serving and protecting people is in my nature and bringing people to justice is what will keep me focused and driven.

“During my time as a prison officer, I worked alongside the security department to provide intelligence and investigate issues and now I want to dedicate my career to doing this.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Shane O’Neill, of Leicestershire Police, said: “It is fantastic to see this entry route being introduced and so much in demand. I am really looking forward to seeing this cohorts’ experiences adding to our current investigators, to help bring offenders to justice and protect those at risk.”

A further 24 recruits will be taken on in May 2022, followed by 32 in October 2022. Click here for further details.