University News Last updated 05 February
West Midlands Police (WMP) firearms officers, dog units, drone operatives and forensic teams were out in full force this week at Birmingham City University (BCU) to highlight the range of specialist roles available to students after leaving university.
The ‘Police Takeover Day’ was set up in response to a wider recruitment drive aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in the police force.
Opening the event, Chief Constable Craig Guildford QPM VR DL, said: “The recruitment doors are firmly open. A career in the police can be highly rewarding and I can assure you that there is never a dull moment working for the police.”
When asked if there were any requirements to apply, the Chief Constable added: “We ask that you have a decent moral compass - including a feeling of duty to protect those that need it, good communication skills, and a desire to help your community”.
Sharda Murria, Senior Lecturer in Policing at BCU, said: “BCU has an extensive record of providing high quality graduates who are already serving in the West Midlands Police, including large proportion of our Professional Policing students who pursue careers in the force.
“Policing has changed dramatically over the last few years and there are now many highly technical and specialist roles that did not exist decades ago. It is an exciting career that we would encourage our graduates to look into, particularly if they want to serve their local community.”
During the event, there were live demonstrations from West Midlands Police’s specialised teams, including infrared drones, armoured vehicles and dog units.
There was an opportunity for students to speak with armed response officers and explore some of the forensic techniques used by police as part of their investigation process.
Additionally, for the first time in two decades, West Midlands Police are also looking for mounted officers to join the force.
Applications to join the police are currently open.