Nearly 100 extra officers through the door at Wiltshire Police

Nearly 100 additional officers have joined Wiltshire Police so far as part of the Uplift programme to recruit an additional 20,000 officers across the country.

The Government's national campaign is set to fund a total of 158 new officers for Wiltshire, plus six who will be seconded to work in the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU). This will allow Wiltshire Police to increase its full-time equivalent police officer numbers to 1,165 by March 2023.

Nearly 300 new officers have joined the Force since the start of the Uplift programme in September 2019 and a further 140 student officers are set to start in the next year to the end of the programme in March 2023, this is made up of uplift officers, those recruited thanks to precept funding and those recruited to replace leavers.

Residents, and communities, consistently ask for greater visibility of police officers and better engagement. This uplift will boost Wiltshire Police’s efforts in this area and will mean the highest number of police officers from its lowest figure of 934.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said: “Residents have told me they want to see their local officers on the beat, and these additional officers will play a key role in delivering an improved, and more visible police service in our communities.  

“The majority of the additional officers recruited so far have been deployed to Community Policing Teams with the focus of improving neighbourhood policing and community engagement.”

One step at a time

Whilst additional officers will provide a much-needed bolster for the Force to better protect communities, support victims and help make Wiltshire safer, PCC Philip Wilkinson warned that quality is far superior to quantity when it comes to recruiting officers and we need to take one step at a time.

“While these additional officers are of course a very welcome addition to Wiltshire, it’s important that we make sure that we’re getting the right people through the door, with the right intentions.

“Misconduct and corruption within policing has come under the spotlight in recent years, and I continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that robust vetting processes and training is in place for both new recruits, and those already on the payroll.”

Wiltshire Police is recruiting now for police officers and more information can be found on their website.  

Published Wednesday 27 April 2022