Teen who dreamed of joining police enrols as student officer

The force has welcomed a student officer to its ranks, fulfilling his life-long dream to be a PC.

PC Bayley Wright wanted to become a police officer since the tender age of eight, when he gave a presentation on the topic to his class mates at primary school.

Ten years later, PC Wright is amongst the newest intake of student officers in the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme (PCDA), and realised his ambition by enrolling with the force on 16 May.

The PC has joined the force through one of the many entry-level pathways into modern policing; consisting of a mix between classroom delivery, practical experience and focused tutorship across a three-year course.

“It’s always been what I wanted to do,” said PC Wright.

“I’ll always remember sketching a picture of a police officer back in Year Four after the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grow up.

“There’s something that’s always drawn me to it.”

PC Wright, who previously served in the Cannock Police Cadets, is amongst the latest of youngsters to start their policing journey through the PCDA programme.

It sees the new recruits complete 22-weeks of classroom learning, before being dispatched, under tuition, to Grade One incidents and developing their response skills and understanding.

Grade One incidents can be anything from serious road traffic collisions to suspects in possession of a weapon in a public place.

PC Wright said: “Even though there’s a lot to learn academically, the value in learning from experienced officers on the job is something which I think is vital.

“I’ve already had great conversations with the officers here, who have been so accommodating and supportive of the students.”

Emma Holley, a Cohort Lead for Staffordshire Police, said: “The open-mindedness and diversity of these youngsters who are enrolling is something which I think gives us fantastic scope as a modern force.

“I’ve seen first-hand how this new generation approach different aspects of the role.

“They have a developed understanding for the importance of community, both on a personal level and as a police officer.

“The PCDA programme is a great way for people like Bayley to realise their ambitions and to shape the scope of modern policing within Staffordshire.”

Staffordshire Police is currently recruiting for a number of operational and non-operational roles.

For our latest vacancies, visit https://careers.staffordshire.police.uk/