Divisional Commander David Robertson this week welcomed 28 probationer police officers to their new postings across Edinburgh.
The constables began their journey in March at the Scottish Police College as part of a group of 195 recruits comprising 69 per cent male (135 officers) and 31 per cent female (60 officers) whose ages ranged from 18 to 54.
Of that intake, seven per cent identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 13 officers, and languages spoken by recruits include Greek, Punjabi, Gaelic, Polish, Norwegian, Spanish, Afrikaans, Turkish, Urdu and Portuguese.
Two recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland and 18 have previous military service.
The officers have since completed 12-weeks intensive training in legislation, officer safety, and physical education.
The course is divided into six units relating to: Police and the Community – Evidence – Crime – General Police Duties – Road Policing and Writing Skills.
The probationers are then assessed by way of formal examinations and practical exercises.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “They’re all looking forward to putting their training into practice to help.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
