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Direct entry super saved PC?s career, Home Secretary claims

Theresa May says example made impact of scheme 'truly strike her'
Published - 27/05/2016 By - Ian Weinfass - Police Oracle

A Met PC was set to walk away from policing until they spoke to a direct entry superintendent about their vision for policing, the Home Secretary claims.

In a speech to the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Theresa May said she only just appreciated the impact direct entry supers could have - thanks to the story of one officer.

“After years of having their ideas rejected and being told that 'this was just the way things are', the constable was ready to quit policing.

“But the direct entry superintendent, herself frustrated by the system but committed to changing it, convinced the PC to be part of that solution.

“As she said, policing needs people like that constable - people with new ideas and the energy to follow them through - if it is going change for the better.”

She added: “It was only when I sat listening to the story of that direct entry superintendent, and when I met the outstanding group of individuals graduating direct entry, that it truly struck me.

“The tired, closed culture of policing is being opened up for the first time in its history.”

Although the Home Secretary did not name the force or officer, only the Met has taken on female direct entrants.

Some 501 officers quit the force in 2014, with changes to pensions, job conditions, shifts, long hours and cancelled rest days among the issues more commonly cited for pushing people out.

The Home Office has previously said it is up to chief constables, not them, to ensure officers do not quit.

Mrs May's comments came just days after North Yorkshire DE Superintendent Adam Thomson apologised for questioning why the cohort were going on patrol at lower ranks as part of their training - using a comparison of potential council leaders emptying bins.

A retired Dorset officer who blogs as "Bosco" wrote at the time that the comments had generated a “palpable” sense of hurt among PCs.

Among the objections made to the introduction of the scheme are that it blocks the promotion prospects of those of lower ranks.

Speaking to PoliceOracle.com about the Home Secretary’s latest comments Gez Jackson, chairman of the Northamptonshire Police Federation, said: “Conclusions require more than one anecdote, where is the rest of the evidence? Let’s not get carried away.

“There has been an awful lot of investment for very little outcome so far, but we will see if they prove effective or not.”

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