Arresting course to police jobs

Students being sworn in to the police force

The students have now been sworn in to the police force

An arresting college course is attracting people who want to join the police force in north Wales.

The Police Studies foundation degree at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru offers a practical and academic approach.

A condition of the course is that students work as special constables to gain experience.

Seven officers have been sworn in to North Wales Police from the course. Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom described it as a local success story.

The new officers are the second lot to be sworn in to the force since the course began last year.

Student Gareth Bevan, from Colwyn Bay, said the course had provided him with an in-depth look at policing in general, all aspects of the law, the criminal process and the role of the modern day officer.

'Real life'

"In the classroom, we have received first-hand knowledge from current and former police officers, who provide examples of real life situations that they have encountered," he said.

"This knowledge not only makes it easier to understand the topics, but makes it more enjoyable too," he added.

Course co-ordinator Phil Cotton said the course was also good for students who were currently too young to join the police.

"The course will develop both knowledge and skills in general and vocational management practice," he said.

"There are a large number of students studying Level 3 programmes waiting to join the police, but who are too young.

"This has led to the collaboration between the police and the college in developing this innovative course," he added.

'Success'

North Wales Police's chief constable, Richard Brunstrom described the college as a "huge local success story".

"We are now using it to provide a foundation degree course in policing for people wanting a police career.

"I think that we need to head towards a situation over the next few years where every person joining the force receives a vocational foundation degree, undertaken partly before joining and partly after appointment," he said.