Eleven new Bedfordshire Police officers take King’s oath

The force has welcomed a new cohort of students, which were the first in the county to attest to His Majesty King Charles III.

On Wednesday (21 September) students from the police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) attested and joined Bedfordshire Police, making them the first cohort in the county to attest to the new King.

Amongst this cohort, three were police cadets and two volunteered as special constables.

An attestation is the ceremony where all new students become police officers and gain the powers available to all police officers.

The new cohort attested in front of Magistrate Mrs Fiona McDougal and Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra at Dunstable Police Station, who also passed on words of wisdom to the latest generation of Bedfordshire Police officers.

The cohort will now embark on their 23-week journey in initial training, studying the PCDA programme before moving on to the next stage of their journey.

PC Barrett, one of the lead trainers, said: “It is always great to see new students coming into Bedfordshire Police, and it is a nice extra, not only to attest, but also be part of history.

“This cohort have been excited to get started and become part of the growing Bedfordshire Police family.

“It is great to see so many students with a background in policing, having started as cadets, and specials, one of which now being chief inspector level. We have also seen several students join, as family members are already part of the force.

“But what brings all of the students together, is the fact they have joined as it is what they have always wanted to help support and make the community safer, as well as making a difference.

“All of these students have said they see joining Bedfordshire Police as a strong career, and they each have their individual aspirations ranging from becoming a traffic officer, working in the Crime Investigation Department, and even being the chief constable.”

Do you want to make a difference to the community and people of Bedfordshire? We are recruiting police officers and have many routes in depending on your qualifications and experience levels.

Visit our careers pages for more information.