Sussex Police announces 50 new officers on the beat

A ceremony at East Sussex National Hotel, in Uckfield, on Tuesday (July 4) saw the 50 new officers take an oath in front of family and friends in which they promised to protect the public.

Sussex Police’s new recruits began their first week of training on June 26 and will study for four months before hitting the streets as official constables or detectives.

Sam Phillips, one of the new 50, said he applied for many different forces but it was Sussex Police that appealed to him because they were always happy to talk on the phone.

PCC Katy Bourne (left), Sam Philips, and chief constable Jo Shiner (Image: Sussex Police)

“I joined Sussex specifically firstly because of the recruitment process,” Sam said.

“I had applied to a few different forces and by far, got the best feeling from Sussex.

“This was mainly down to the recruitment team who communicated very promptly all the time and were always happy to speak on the phone if you needed.

“Also, as Sussex is such a large area with cities like Brighton and very rural areas as well, I thought it would provide a good mixture, with also the added challenges of Gatwick which interested me.”

Sam said that previous employment in bar work, catering, delivery driving, and one year as a prison officer during university gave him the skills needed to be a police officer.

“It’s a career for life as there are so many different avenues you can go down once qualified and such a wide range of things you can do,” he said.

Sussex Police also opened its doors to applicants without degrees, with one such recruit saying it gives him the chance to get straight out on the beat.

“I didn't want to take a degree. I wanted to get out on division and get stuck in without the worry of all the extra university work that would be needed,” Kevin Creasey.

PCC Katy Bourne (left), Kevin Creasey, and chief constable Jo Shiner (Image: Sussex Police)

“I started as a PCSO which is a good route for learning how to engage within the community and assisting where I could.

“Becoming an officer was a natural progression, bringing the skills learnt and adapting them. I look forward to going back into neighbourhood policing.

“It is important to bring the trust back with the public. If they do not talk to us, we don't know what is going on and can't fix the issues. I can't wait, there is no job like policing.”

READ MORE: Worthing: Girl suffers broken ankle in town centre crash

Chief Constable Jo Shiner was at the ceremony and said it an occasion the new officers will never forget.

"The attestation is a momentous stage in the career of our new recruits, and one that is viewed with immense proudness by not only the recruits themselves, but by their families and friends,” she said.

"Policing is the best job in the world. No day is the same and our recruits can look forward to a feeling of real achievement after every shift, knowing they've played a valued part in keeping Sussex safe and making a positive difference in our communities.”