New police recruits

The 12 men and four women will attend an attestation ceremony this evening (Friday, May 17) at police headquarters, Ripley, where they will swear an oath to the Queen and be presented with their warrant cards.

The new recruits are aged between 22 and 37 and will serve across the county in areas such as Peartree, Buxton, Matlock, Clay Cross, Bolsover, Glossop and Swadlincote.

One new recruit will be following in the footsteps of his grandfather – who was also a Derbyshire police officer - when he pounds the beat. PC Richard Atterbury, who lives in Nottinghamshire, was formerly a lance corporal in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales), completing two operational tours of Iraq. The 28-year-old will be stationed at St Mary’s Wharf in Derby.

PC Susan Hawes, of Belper, was a fitness and personal trainer before she joined the regulars, although she also volunteered her spare time to work as a special constable within the force. The 26-year-old will be stationed at Peartree.

Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: “It’s always a proud moment to see new constables being sworn in. They are at the start of what will be a tremendously exciting and hopefully very rewarding career.”