group of new trainee detectives land in Greater Manchester Police today (Monday 16th), where they will specialise in counter terrorism investigations through Police Now’s National Graduate Programme.
The eight new officers – six of whom are women – will help bolster the UK’s protection against serious harm and terrorist threat, as they are supported to become highly trained, qualified detectives.
The new officers have just completed 13 weeks of initial training at Police Now’s national, residential academy – the first part of the two-year programme – before landing in force today. They now continue their training within frontline and investigative teams and will move into Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) towards the end of the two-year programme, to prevent, deter, and investigate terrorist activity alongside their experienced colleagues.
This is the first time Police Now’s counter terrorism specialism has expanded to include CTPNW, following a successful pilot in the Metropolitan Police last year.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Kenwright, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, addressed the officers at the start of their academy training in March. She said: “This is the first time we have taken direct entry detectives in CTPNW so we’re looking forward to welcoming this intake as we seek to bolster our efforts to protect national security. It’s also very positive to see such a high proportion of females in this intake as we continue to strive to make our service one which is more representative of the communities we serve and, therefore, more operationally effective as we bring together a broader range of lived experiences.
“The benchmark for securing a place on the Police Now programme was extremely high and we’re confident that the successful candidates will bring a strong mix of experience, skills, knowledge and ideas which will be hugely beneficial for us and, ultimately, the public.”
