New student officers join ranks of police

MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN

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TWO Oldhamers were among the 100 recruits to be welcomed into the force this week.

Connor Brown (20) and Mohammad Hussain (22) were among 100 Greater Manchester Police student officers who became police officers at an attestation ceremony.

Connor, a former GMP apprentice has been a part of GMP since he was 18-years-old and during his time at the force has taken part in various roles including, admin, call handling and crime recording.

He most recently worked as an operational support officer based in the Public Protection Team in Ashton where he had the opportunity to join officers on warrants and gain insight into the role of an officer.

Mohammad, a former amateur boxer who represented England for the Four Nations, first joined GMP as a special constable for 16 months before filling in the application to become a regular officer.

Connor, who always wanted to be a police officer, was sceptical about whether an apprenticeship would pave the way into the force but would now recommend it.

He said: "I have always wanted to be a police officer and from my point of view this is the best way to do it. If anyone had told me about apprenticeships prior to this I would have thought they were being silly but now I would recommend it to anyone.

"I have learnt more this way than if I had just gone to university. It's the best way of getting your name known around the organisation."

He added: "I can't wait to get starting my policing role. If anything the incidents from the last few weeks have shown me that I actually want to be at the front line doing what I can to help people in the best possible way."

Mohammad, who is relishing the challenges of being an officer, said: "This will be a challenging role but I am committed to becoming a success, developing new skills and helping people in the best way I can."

The 100 new recruits were welcomed into the force to maintain officer numbers.

Family and friends watched on as the student officers, who will replace retiring colleagues, became fully fledged police officers during an attestation ceremony at Harrop Fold School in Salford.

During the ceremony the recruits, who were affirmed into their roles by Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, made their oath to uphold their responsibilities with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality.

Many of them are fluent in a second language which will help give access to services for all communities in Greater Manchester.

They will have to complete a two-year probation period which also includes classroom-based learning and one year on active patrol. During their training they will have the same authority as regular officers.

Chief Con Hopkins, who was joined at the ceremony by magistrates Stephen Paine and Mike Philips, said: "These recruits, like their colleagues, have to be prepared to face potential challenging situations in order to ensure the safety and security of the public.

"I wish them all success in their future careers."