Sussex Police recruits make first arrest in training scheme

Sussex Police has taken on a further 129 new officers into its ranks in the past financial year.

It follows a government pledge to deploy 20,000 new officers to forces across the country.

Among the new faces in Sussex have been 18 officers starting on the “fast track detective programme”.

They are gaining hands on experience as frontline constables, and they are already achieving results as part of dedicated coaching units.

Among them has been Brighton and Hove PC Lucy Thomas, who joined the force after studying psychology with the Open University.

She made her first arrest on a night shift for a suspect on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

PC Lucy Thomas is on the Sussex Police fast track detective training scheme

Lucy said: “I am loving being in uniform but am looking forward to being able to see jobs right through to court as a detective constable.

“It's been a challenging time to join up but I want to help the community and support the vulnerable at this time. Even the smallest gestures can make a world of difference to someone at the moment.”

Meanwhile PC Hannah Richards, from Bexhill, previously won a regional Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award for her devoted charity work to help prevent suicide and support those affected.

It followed the shock her own family experienced of losing her brother to suicide three years ago.

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Alongside fellow recruit Nandi Luthuli and under the guidance of PC Nick Funnell chased down a shoplifting suspect in Hailsham.

Hannah said: “It gave me a confidence boost, and I was pleased to get my first one under my belt. It's been a steep learning curve but I am enjoying it.

“I spoke publicly about my brother’s suicide in the media to raise awareness and help create positive change.

“It was this desire to make a difference and be there for others at their time of greatest need that motivated me to join the police.

PC Hannah Richards is on the Sussex Police fast track detective training scheme

“Having been on the receiving end of bad news from police officers, I feel I can empathise and demonstrate a great deal of compassion to victims of crime and those who have experienced sudden loss.”

Nandi Luthuli, who grew up as a looked after child with East Sussex social services, said working on finding missing people has been most rewarding so far.

She said “Thankfully they have all resulted in the people being found. I got to speak to the missing people to offer any support and reunited them with their loved ones, who were so grateful.

“I have always had a massive interest in crime, and studied criminology and was a claims fraud investigator for three years.

“I hope to be a positive role model for young people as from the age of five, I was a looked-after child under East Sussex Social Services.

PC Nandi Luthuli is on the Sussex Police fast track detective training scheme

“I hope I can demonstrate that regardless of the negative childhood experiences you may have dealt with, it should not define you or stop you achieving your goals.”

Just four weeks in, the new officers have attended a variety of incidents, including road traffic collisions, sudden deaths, domestic incidents and burglaries, as well as undertaking some high visibility Covid patrols.

They have made their first arrests, including for drink-driving, drug-driving, assault and shoplifting.

They have also supported community investigation teams and police operations tackling knife crime and road traffic offences, as well as carrying out search warrants at properties, searching suspects, and taking statements.

Sussex Police director of people’s services Adrian Rutherford said: “I am very impressed with the impact that these new officers and their colleagues on the PCDA have already made in their earliest days of operational policing.

“They have undertaken their intensive, initial training and joined our frontline at the height of the pandemic, yet have shown a proactive determination to make a positive difference to our communities and our policing teams in these most challenging times.”

Sussex Police fast track detective training scheme

Mr Rutherford said the force is working in partnership with the University of Cumbria over the scheme.

The officers will train alongside their coaches until they achieve independent patrol status after about 30 weeks.

They will then gain further experience in response teams and in neighbourhood policing before they start to specialise in investigations.

It means working towards a Diploma in Professional Policing Practice and accreditation as a detective constable over the course of two years.

Sussex Youth Commission Big Conversation Event at the Amex Stadium, Brighton set up by the police and Crime Commissioner.Katy Bourne.Contact Patricia 07970 988237.Reporters Flora Thompson and Rachel Millard..TA23915K7.PICTURE TERRY APPLIN...

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “I’m delighted that Sussex Police is leading the way in forward-thinking recruitment - being one of the first forces to offer this new entry route into policing is a huge achievement and the Force is to be commended for its progressive approach.

"Sussex Police is demonstrating how it is prepared to meet challenges head-on in the rapidly changing landscape of 21st century policing and I’m incredibly impressed with the impact that these officers have made in such a short space of time.”