Page 22 - WMPF Federation June-July 2021_Neat

Conference Day 2 - Farley Auditorium

New recruits praised by panel

here was no shortage of praise for
new recruits during a panel session at
Tthis year’s annual conference, with
those who have been forced to complete
virtual training due to the pandemic called
‘resilient’ and ‘nothing short of
commendable’.
A session on recruitment during the
Covid-19 crisis looked at the impact learning
virtually has had on the latest officers
joining the team.
With an ambitious target of an extra
20,000 officers to have joined the force by
2023, concerns were raised about the
impact virtual training has had on new
recruits, with Federation roads policing lead
and National Board member Gemma Fox
recognising that newcomers have been
immediately asked to put both themselves
and their families at risk.
She said: “What we’ve asked of them, is “What needs to be acknowledged is, ‘transformed’ learning programmes for new
to pick up a uniform, to put it on and get on none of this is at the fault of our officers.” recruits: “This gives us hope and certainty
with it. They have done exactly that while Deputy Chief Constable Janette that new recruits will respond well as
putting themselves at risk of coronavirus, as McCormick QPM, programme director for the restrictions ease.”
well as risking taking the virus back home Police Uplift Programme, said that the As well as recruitment, emphasis was
with them.” pandemic has brought with it personal and also on retention and the significance of
With new recruits forced to learn online professional challenges for both current and finding out why people are choosing to leave
for the past 15 months, it prompted Dave new members of staff across the force. the service early.
Jo Noakes, director of workforce “
Bamber to ask whether new recruits would “We’ve all had to adapt, which means
be ‘match fit’. we’ve started recruiting virtually and We’ve all had to
“We’ve got to hope they are,” continued investing in training online,” she added,
Dave, national Federation lead for “What has been fantastic is to have been so adapt, which means
professional development and issues related supported by the Federation.”
to the College of Policing. we’ve started
“What we can’t deny is the impact that development at the College of Policing
the last year has had on our officers and supported Janette’s comments, stating that recruiting virtually
members. Young officers have been forced she was ‘confident’ forces would see a set of
to learn independently, online and virtually. great quality new recruits. and investing in
We need to get an understanding of what She explained that they have
effect that has had on them. training online. “

“We really need to understand the
reasons why. If we don’t understand this,
then chief officers won’t be able to make the
necessary changes,” said Gemma, adding:
“Lots more can be, and should be, done
around retention.”
Gemma also highlighted the importance
of recruiting more staff from diverse
backgrounds, adding: “We welcome anyone
from any background into the police service.”
Jo echoed her comments, saying: “A really
positive thing that the Government has
done is to recognise the importance of
bringing in minority groups.”
She continued to explain that one of the
benefits to come from online learning is that
Dave Bamber, national Federation lead for Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick it has allowed more recruits from diverse
professional development. QPM. backgrounds to take part.

22 federation June/July 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids