Herts Constabulary has welcomed 17 student police officers who have joined the Accelerated Detective Constable Programme.

The student police officers welcomed to Hertfordshire by Chief Constable Charlie Hall at their passing out ceremony last Friday 25 June.

Family and friends had to watch proceedings online rather than visiting police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City because of coronavirus restrictions.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, David Lloyd said: “It is fantastic to see even more officers joining Hertfordshire Constabulary. We already have more officers in the county than ever before and the numbers are continuing to increase.

“Our police force needs to reflect our communities and the accelerated detective constable programme attracts candidates into policing, who may not have previously considered it as a career.

“Congratulations to those who have graduated and I look forward to seeing the difference they will make to reducing crime in Hertfordshire.”


Chief Constable Hall said: “It was a pleasure to welcome such a diverse group of individuals to the constabulary. This cohort has an incredible mix of people bringing their different life experience to the job – the list of former professions was inspiring and the people of Hertfordshire can only benefit from having these people in policing.”

The student detectives, who start at their initial postings across the county on Monday 5 July, also include a former financial analyst, a recruitment manager, an ex-Cabinet Officer advisor, a church youth and outreach worker and a number of graduates. Two start work in Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hitchin, Stevenage and Watford, with one off to Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood, Cheshunt, Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans police stations.

Their 20-week training included a mixture of classroom based and practical sessions, covering a vast range of topics including law and powers, personal safety and dealing with volatile situations, first aid and safeguarding vulnerable victims. They also undertook the College of Policing’s national investigators’ exam. On-the-job training continues for many months until officers are declared fit for independent patrol.

Canadian-born singer Daniel Auchincloss, 48, who was one of 17, who said the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to change professions: “I had always been interested in working for the police, and when the pandemic completely decimated the arts, with months of booked work disappearing overnight, it gave me the incentive to explore a new path. When I learned of the Accelerated Detective Constable Programme, it seemed to be the right move for me and so I decided to take the plunge.
“My friends and family have all been extremely supportive of this change. It came as a bit of a surprise to some, but everyone has been encouraging, and my 8 year old daughter is extremely proud of me and my new career. Funnily enough, I know two other singers who have taken a similar path, and they’ve been a great help to me.” 



He said: “Training has been demanding and enjoyable in equal measure. It’s been fascinating to be introduced to the various specialist units throughout the county, and it’s given me some ideas of where I might like to end up. I’m looking forward to putting my training into practice, and having the opportunity to help people and make an important contribution to the community.”

If you feel inspired to become a Hertfordshire police officer, visit hertspoliceofficer.co.uk to find out how to apply.

Through our ‘Positive Action’ scheme, Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to building relationships with under-represented groups and encouraging them to join our policing family. For more information and support visit hertspoliceofficer.co.uk/diversity