Response to the Mayor's Budget Statement

Boris Johnson confirmed that additional funding has been secured for policing for the MPS. This funding means that the cuts to the MPS budget for 2011/12 are now significantly reduced and the investment, of £42m, will allow the MPS to begin some police officer recruitment.

There are currently over 200 police community support officers (PCSOs) who have successfully completed police officer selection. In the initial phase these PCSOs will begin training to be police officers before the end of the financial year. After this initial phase, future recruitment is likely to be open to special constables and PCSOs. It is anticipated that further recruitment will take place during 2011/12.

Currently we are not accepting new applications for police constables, in future, special constables can apply to be a police officer if they have Independent Patrol Status alongside PCSOs who have completed their probation. Both must have a current satisfactory appraisal. They will need to complete a form and go through the National Recruitment Standard (NRS) assessment process, which is often called Day 1 and Day 2.

All successful candidates will train on the same initial course. PCSOs and special constables will then part company to embark on separate training programmes, before being appointed as a police officer and deployed to patrol duty on borough.

If you wish to become a police officer (unless your occupation is precluded) you may want to consider gaining valuable police officer experience and skills in the voluntary role of special constable as this is the future pathway. To find out more and to apply, please visit www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/specials

For further MPS recruitment enquiries, please visit this website or contact the Recruitment Helpline on 0845 727 2212 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.