Thirteen new trainee detective constables landed in Devon and Cornwall Police this week, having just completed Police Now's National Detective Programme.

The 13-week residential academy began in March when almost 230 new officers – who all joined their respective forces across England and Wales this week – began their intensive training together.

They have developed the core policing skills and knowledge required for complex investigative work, in a mix of practical and classroom-based sessions led by experienced sergeants seconded from Police Now's partner forces.

They have also completed field training shifts in their force Response teams and Criminal Investigation Departments.

Police Now officers sit the challenging National Investigators' Exam at the academy and consistently achieve a higher-than-average first-time pass rate.

At this year's detective academy, there was an average first-time pass rate of 75% compared to the national average of 59%. 

They now continue Police Now's two-year training and development programme in force, where they will play an integral part in solving cases and supporting victims of crime across Devon and Cornwall.

Supported by their experienced colleagues and Police Now Performance and Development Coaches, they will be Professionalising Investigation Programme Level 2 (PIP2) certified by the end of the two-year programme. 

Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra, of Bedfordshire Police, delivered a keynote address to the new officers at the academy closing ceremony, in his last ever policing appearance before officially retiring that week.

He said: "I look over the room, as I come to the end of my career, and I see the future of policing. You will change policing and you will improve policing for the better. I have no doubt that during your academy training you have worked hard, you have been professional and you have had fun. Continue to do this throughout the next stages of your training and the rest of your policing careers.

"Policing is tough, you will have some bad days, you will see things that other people won't see and you will experience things that other people shouldn't have to experience. But you will change people's lives and you will save people's lives. The good days will always overtake the bad, as you support those that need you the most and secure justice for victims."

Trainee Detective Constable Kellen Moore, who joins Devon and Cornwall via the programme, said: "As someone that has always dreamed of a career as a detective, I could not have been more excited when I learnt about the Police Now programme and the opportunity it could provide me.

"I was not absolutely certain that I had what it takes, but can honestly say after 13 weeks of constant support, guidance and invaluable transfer of knowledge, I no longer feel this way and cannot wait to get started in force."

Police Now is a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer and has partnered with a total of 36 forces to recruit and train over 2,680 police officers and detectives nationally.

Applications for the next intake of the National Detective Programme are currently open.