DEVON and Cornwall Police has welcomed 120 new recruits to begin their training and meet the force’s ambition to increase officers on the frontline serving communities across both counties.

The latest intake of new starters includes 90 student officers, 16 PCSOs and 14 experienced transferees who bring valuable skills from other forces. Of the 90 student officers, 32 are Police Now students joining from the UK’s national graduate programme.

We are also being joined by transferee police dog Rogue and his handler, whose experience will further strengthen our operational activity. This is a significant step forward in our commitment to visible, community focused policing and ensuring our communities across Devon Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly feel safe and supported.

Fifty-eight student officers have completed their attestation, a formal ceremony where newly appointed officers make an oath to officially achieve their legal powers. This process marks the point at which an individual legally assumes the Office of Constable. Student officers will complete their initial training before being allocated to stations for 12 weeks to be mentored by experienced police officers.

A student officer who attended the attestation ceremony said: “For the last 20 years or so I have been been touring the world as a professional musician.

“I recently became a father and it’s difficult to be away from her, so I was looking for something new. The key was finding something that she’ll be proud of me for.

“My uncle was a police officer and when I heard all the amazing things about his life and career and how much of that came from his time in the police I thought to myself, that’s the sort of guy I want to be, so I put my application in and here I am.”

In September 2025, Chief Constable James Vaughan announced his commitment to bolstering police officer numbers in the force’s patrol function by reducing senior ranks and returning officers to the frontline bolstered by recruitment.

Chief Constable James Vaughan QPM said: “I am delighted to welcome well over 100 new recruits to our policing family this week, as they begin what I know will be a challenging, rewarding and deeply meaningful career in policing.

“Each new officer represents our continued commitment to strengthening the front line and keeping communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safe.

“We have not only exceeded our government recruitment targets but will also soon see the benefits of that success, with our new officers and staff soon making a visible difference on our streets.

“I am proud of the ongoing work across the force to improve our recruitment processes and attract the best possible talent into policing.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez added: “I am pleased to see that police officer recruitment within the force is striving to improve staff retention and strong leadership from the Chief Constable is continuing.”

Recruitment remains open. For a list of current police vacancies, visit: Careers within Devon & Cornwall Police | Devon & Cornwall Police.