Recruitment underway to boost number of police officers in Suffolk
Recruitment is under way to boost the number of police officers in Suffolk by 54.
A total of 17 new officers are now in place in the county with a further 11 working jointly with Norfolk Constabulary.
Suffolk police chiefs hope another 26 will be in place by the end of the year.
Last October, the government announced funding for a total of 54 officers at Suffolk Constabulary, as part of new targets to boost the number officers nationwide.
Since the start of the recruitment campaign, a total of 4,336 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the national uplift programme will allow us to recruit an extra 54 officers this year. This is addition to the 20 extra officers that will be recruited through this year's precept increase.
"I believe policing is the most important public service and I am pleased to see it being give the priority it deserves.
"We have not had confirmation of funding for future years but we hope to receive funding for an extra 162 officers through this goverment uplift, 54 officers each year, for three years up to March 2023."
The Conservative government says it remains on track to hit its manifesto commitment of 20,000 extra officers by 2023, and that forces have successfully accelerated recruitment plans.
Its pledge met with criticism however from opposition leaders that the new recruits will only serve to replace those lost to the service through funding cuts, since 2010.
West Suffolk MP, Matt Hancock, said: “Getting more police officers onto our streets is one of the people’s priorities, and so I am delighted that Suffolk has been bolstered with an extra 54 officers.
“Every one of these officers will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I am reassured that many more will follow as this government continues to deliver on its promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years."
For more information about becoming a police officer, visit: www.suffolk.police.uk/join-us