§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to ensure recruits into the police force are of the highest quality.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe responsibilty for making appointments to the police service lies solely with the chief officer of the police force concerned. All applicants are required to sit the police initial recruitment test, which was revised in 1991 and which is designed to test the precise abilities and attributes which are necessary for a successful career in the service.
The accelerated promotion scheme for graduates, which offers places to young officers who are looking to rise rapidly to the higher ranks in the service, is also highly selective, with high standards.