Sixteen new officers have been formally welcomed to Hertfordshire Constabulary by Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards.

The Commissioner joined Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Akehurst at a ceremony at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City where the recruits were presented with certificates marking the end of their initial training.

The officers are being posted across the county with four based in Stevenage, three in Broxbourne, two in North Herts, two in Watford, one in Hertsmere, one in Three Rivers, one in Welwyn and Hatfield, one in East Herts and one in St Albans.

Mr Ash-Edwards said: “It was fantastic to see these new officers joining the ranks and embarking on their careers. Congratulations to all of them on passing their training and I am glad to see they will soon be out on frontline patrol across the county.

“The public want to see more visible and responsive policing and these officers are helping make that happen as they are part of our largest every police force in Hertfordshire.”

Assistant Chief Constable Akehurst said: “To restore order to chaos or provide some humanity and compassion to someone who needs us, you will be putting members of the public first and building strong relationships with our communities. You have taken an oath to serve and that must be upmost in your minds as you develop personally and professionally as an officer over the years. I wish you all the very best of luck.” 

The cohort consisted of two ex-students, a former radiographer, a school nurse, a carer, a security supervisor, a massage therapist, a fitness instructor, a metal depot supervisor, a personal trainer, an illustrator and others who have backgrounds in insurance, hospitality and food manufacturing.