New recruits at West Yorkshire Police will study for a degree at Leeds Trinity University from July 2020, under a new apprenticeship programme.

300 new police officers are being recruited by West Yorkshire Police under a new training pathway, which requires all police officers to hold a degree. The trainees will be educated and mentored by experienced police officers at West Yorkshire Police's Learning and Development Centre at Carr Gate, Wakefield and will complete a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship at Leeds Trinity in Horsforth.

They will be paid as a Police Officer from day one, with all university fees met by the Force.

Professor Margaret A House OBE, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: "Leeds Trinity has always been committed to transforming lives and benefitting our local community, so we are very proud to work with West Yorkshire Police on training the next cohort of police constables. We have developed a programme of policing that is relevant, inspiring and impactful, and we're looking forward to welcoming the first cohort of police apprentices next year."

The first trainee officers will be appointed to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme in July 2020 with the recruitment window opening in autumn 2019. Anyone interested in applying can register their interest online to be notified when recruitment opens. The Force is particularly reaching out to those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds as part of the latest recruitment drive in a bid to better represent the communities they serve.

Angela Williams, Assistant Chief Constable at West Yorkshire Police, said: "It is a really exciting time to join the Force, and our new recruitment pathway will give budding Police Officers the chance to 'earn while they learn'.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone who has ever considered becoming a Police Officer to join us and see what an exciting and rewarding role it is.

"I have been a Police Officer here in West Yorkshire for 28 years and I can honestly say I've loved every moment. Every shift is different and challenging, but also rewarding.

"We want everyone living in West Yorkshire to feel their force represents them and we are striving to better represent all of our communities, so we welcome applicants from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds as we recruit new officers.

"That being said, the job will always go to the right candidate and will be based on merit. If you have the skills and experience required, then I would urge you to consider applying to join West Yorkshire Police.

"Being a police officer really is a job like no other and our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships will prepare and train officers to deal with evolving serious and complex crime.

"As it's a three-year Apprenticeship, it allows our new officers to specialise as they move through the degree and they can look towards being a Detective, a Roads Policing Officer or a specialist working in our Neighbourhoods teams."

In addition to the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, Leeds Trinity will deliver a new Degree Holder Entry Programme allowing those who already hold a non-policing degree to complete a two-year learning programme to become a qualified police officer. From September 2020, the University is also delivering a BA Professional Policing undergraduate degree programme.

Professor House added: "In recent years we have developed programmes in Criminology, Sociology and Law, and most recently Professional Policing. Our partnership with West Yorkshire Police creates further opportunities for our students on these courses, as well as those studying the Degree Apprenticeship and work-based learning programme. We are very proud of our provision and we're looking forward to working more closely with West Yorkshire Police in the coming years."

To become a police officer, you need to be 18 (at the time of application), have a level 3 qualification or equivalent, have no criminal convictions (minor offences will be considered on a case-by-case basis), meet our attendance record and be able to pass a job-related fitness test. The starting salary for officers on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is from £18,000, with incremental annual increases leading to a salary of £24,654 on successful completion of the programme and confirmation in role.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: "Policing is such a rewarding career and this is a really great opportunity for individuals to pursue a varied role while being trained and supported to gain a qualification at the same time.

"This is an opportunity to make a real difference in your community and I would encourage interested parties to visit West Yorkshire Police's website for more details.

"Continuing recruitment into the police service is crucial and you can play your part in helping make our communities feel supported and safe."

You can register your interest in applying on theWest Yorkshire Police website.