August 7, 2013 4.42 pm This story is over 127 months old

Up to 100 new police officer jobs in Lincolnshire recruitment drive

Bobby on the beat: Lincolnshire Police are recruiting new police officers in the county, the first recruitment drive from the force in three and a half years.
Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Lincolnshire Police are recruiting new police officers in the county, the first recruitment drive from the force in three and a half years.

The force is looking to recruit up to 100 new officers to fill intakes for 2014 and 2015, and possibly beyond.

Lincolnshire Police currently has 1,106 officers, and over 98% of them are on the front line, after most back office staff was transferred to G4S in an outsourcing deal.

Keith Smy, Lincoln Police Assistant Chief Constable, said: “The current number of police officers has fallen by 135 (1,106) from a ten year high in 2007 (1,241).

“This reduction was part of a planned and managed response to the reduction in funding from central government grant over the last few years.

“By re-organising how and where officers work we have been able to ensure that our neighbourhood policing approach has been sustained and the front line impact minimised.

“With the support of the public, partner organisations and the continuing hard work of officers and staff we have, so far, managed to cope with this reduction of officers and still reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. I think that is a remarkable achievement and one I am very proud of.”

Alan Hardwick, Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We will be able to maintain 1,100 officers on the frontline. We do not anticipate any job losses of any sort.

“Certainly up to the next general election, I am confident of the future of Lincolnshire Police and the policing of this country.

“I am not at all concerned about the future of funding in Lincolnshire at the moment.

“We are well able to cope with the cutbacks because we budgeted for them. We have been very careful with our money.

“We have been able to build up reserves, and had the government not insisted on limiting the funding formula, we would have been in an even better position.”

Shrinking number of police officers

Figures from Lincolnshire Police show how the force expanded and then reduced the number of police officers in the county:

chart_lincolnshire_police_officers

Becoming a police officer

In order to apply for a police officer job, candidates must attend one of the recruitment events held around the county in August and September.

The recruitment events have been arranged for candidates to find out more about the role of police officer and what will be expected of them.

They will also provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and make sure a career within the police service is right for them before embarking on the application process.

Places on the events must be booked online and people are encouraged to secure their places quickly, as they are limited to 250 for each event.

For a list of recruitment events across Lincolnshire and more on the criteria for applicants, see the Lincolnshire Police website.