Exam results time!

It’s that time of year again where school pupils receive their grades for A-Levels and GCSEs in what has been the most challenging of years.

It caused me to look back through my own records of (under) achievement! Those of a certain vintage will remember these booklets issued to school pupils in England and Wales. Mine was at ‘Ysgol Gyfun y Strade’ (a Welsh medium comprehensive school) in Llanelli.

They were a means of keeping certificates in one place and recording pupils’ hopes for the future. Whilst dreaming of a career as a professional rugby player never materialised (despite being in my mid-forties, I have not given up hope) it is sobering to look back and consider how little time I devoted to thinking about a career.

Those leaving schools and colleges today have a wide range of options available to them and the opportunity to join the police service has never been more attractive. With degrees costing significant amounts of money when housing and living costs are included, the ability to gain a degree and an offer of employment with Cleveland Police must be a serious consideration.

Having been a police officer for 21 years, I can honestly say that I love my job and would encourage anybody to apply. This is not linked to rank, by the way. The happiest times of my career are associated to working directly with communities as a Police Constable; you’re able to positively impact on people’s lives and make neighbourhoods even better places to live.

With the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as a backdrop to our work over the last 18 months, the esteem in which public sector workers are held and those in emergency services in particular, is high.

Here at Cleveland we’re looking for outstanding candidates to join as police staff members or police officers. We’re also always looking for volunteers and Special Constables. The focus is on recruiting the very best candidates but we’re also keen to ensure that this is a diverse organisation and reflects the communities it serves. Both of these things are, of course, achievable at the same time.

So if you’re out there wondering what to do with your future or what career path you’d like to follow, whether you’ve just received your A-Level results or are just thinking about a change of direction, Cleveland Police offers some extraordinary opportunities.

The range of roles in the police service is wide; from response officers through to serious crime investigators and firearms officers.

Take it from someone who’s loved every minute of being a police officer – you’ll never look back.

So – what are you waiting for? Click on the link to find out more – Careers | Cleveland Police

Richard Lewis

Chief Constable