26.01.2007
The first student police officers in Sussex to receive their initial training from the University of Brighton graduated on 25 January at a ceremony in Worthing Assembly Halls. More than 50 police officers were awarded with a foundation certificate in police studies from Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Julian Crampton and Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Joe Edwards.
Sussex Police is one of the first police forces in the country to work with a university to deliver its police probationer training in order to meet the challenges of policing in the twenty-first century.
The police provided the traditional elements of recruit training, the law and aspects of contemporary policing whilst the university used its expertise in applied criminology, psychology and sociology to ensure that future officers have a broad insight into issues facing society at large. As students of the university, all officers worked towards achieving a recognised qualification in policing, as forces across the country aim to tailor the police service to ensure it is responsive to local communities.
"This is a very innovative course and we are pleased to be partners in delivering such a vital service that affects all our lives," said Vice-Chancellor Professor Julian Crampton. "The university is helping to bring policing closer to the communities that it serves."
Chief Constable Joe Edwards commented: "This is one of the most exciting changes in policing in Sussex for more than 60 years. Sussex Police has broken ground and this group of officers has set the standard for the next generation of police officers. The new officers have been recruited and trained locally and will work in their local communities."
New recruits included PC Sarah Churchley from Worthing. She said her background working as a youth case worker in a local magistrate's court put her in good stead for a career in the police service: "Being able to understand the whole court process was a real advantage."
But what proved the biggest help was learning the theory at university and then putting this into practise with her tutors on division: "It was good to learn in bite-sized chunks and then use my knowledge on the ground."
PC Robert Adams, a graduate in history from Canterbury Christ Church University, relished the experience of studying again: "I really enjoyed going back to university, both the informal side and the formal side. They were a great team and we had a great laugh." Robert is set to join Eastbourne Neighbourhood Policing Team.
PC Vicky Burgess from St Leonards previously worked as a prison officer, but joined the police because she wanted to get a wider experience of the community and a more varied career. "Coming from working in the prison service it is good to be working with victims and witnesses of crime as well as offenders. I enjoyed the whole course, particularly the community placement."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
