New recruits survey published

The 2022 New Recruits Survey was conducted together with the Home Office between March and May 2022 to support evaluation and improvement of the policing education qualifications framework (PEQF) entry routes for policing. 

It was sent to all new recruits, on any entry route, who joined the police service between the beginning of February 2020 and the end of November 2021. It allows for a comparison between the experience of those on the new PEQF entry routes and those on the traditional initial police learning and development programme (IPLDP) route.

In total 5580 officers took part in the survey, a response rate of 26%. In addition, interviews with 22 police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) student officers from six early adopter forces took place.

Survey findings

Those officers on the new routes have been consistently and significantly more satisfied with their training than those on the old route (IPLDP).

They said they:

• felt better prepared for the job
• have relevant training
• feel they have the knowledge and skills for the job
• feel more confident
• have higher wellbeing scores

The new training is constantly reviewed to make sure it is delivering for policing and recruits. We have listened carefully to feedback from officers in the survey which has identified some areas for improvement. We are working to address these areas with colleagues from forces, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and higher education providers.

This includes supporting forces to work with universities to keep abstraction rates from frontline duties as low as possible, working with universities to make sure course content is practical and the theory elements are applicable to the realities of the role and providing direct support to forces. 

Work continues to consider a fourth entry route which will maintain high standards of training fit for the 21st century but not result in the student being awarded a degree.

• Read the survey results in full