A new Policing College launched last year by Lincolnshire Police, G4S and Lincoln College, is now offering a Professional Policing Degree as a route into police officer roles for school leavers.

The college was initially set up to provide school leavers with police staff career pathways in emergency call handling, IT support and business administration roles.

The training courses desinged by the college will also be used to upskill existing support staff. Further apprenticeships will include cyber training for serving detectives.

G4S currently provide control room and ICT support services and staff as part of a long term outsource contract with the force. It also provides custody services and staff.  

Although chief constable Bill Skelly has been an outspoken critic of the mandated College of Policing PEQF programme the college is now offering the Professional Degree Course which is validated by the University of Derby.

The aim of the course is to put candidates ahead of the game in police officer recruitment and prepare them to “pass first time” if they are successful. Where appropriate and possible, students are encouraged join the Special Constabulary as part of their course to increase their cultural awareness and productivity.

The Policing College also delivers level two and three technical qualifications to prepare students for police support job roles including; Emergency Call Handlers, Custody and Detention Officers, IT Officers and Business Admin staff.

Lincoln College Head of Service Sector Stuart Reddington said: “The technical courses are a great way to prepare for police support roles, or progression to the Professional Policing Degree. 

“These courses have been co-designed by Lincolnshire Police and G4S and students will get to take part in some amazing enrichment activities with serving officers and support staff, including real public order and counter terrorism exercises.

The Policing College held its first live Zoom open day last month with guest speaker Assistant Chief Officer Andrew White.

ACO White said: “The provision of a Policing Degree course is an exciting development that will provide local students with a chance to train to be a police officer and then be considered for appointment upon graduation.”

As well as the degree course and the Policing College will deliver what it calls customised training.

This includes elements of leadership and management training, software competency training, literacy and numeracy courses and English for Speakers of a Foreign Language.

Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland said: “Our mission is to be employer-led, producing a highly skilled and productive local workforce. We have listened to the training needs of Lincolnshire Police and worked closely with them and G4S to design pathways to meet them."