Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 27 November 2008

A MARYPORT woman is one of five students hoping to become the county’s first University of Cumbria-trained police officers.

Kier Crossfield, 19, of Nelson Street, is among the first students on a unique foundation degree in policing, developed by Cumbria Constabulary and the university.

The Institute of Policing and Criminal Justice, at the university’s Penrith campus, and the course offer an alternative to the traditional 22-week police training.

It sees potential recruits working as special constables alongside their two years of learning.

And although passing the course does not guarantee a job in the police, if they are appointed as a constable in Cumbria they will have a substantially-reduced training programme.

Kier, the first female student to be accepted on the course, aims to combine her learning experience with a chance to gain further life experience.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to work as a police officer and make a difference in the community, and I also wanted to stay in Cumbria. Ultimately I’m using the course to reach that goal, but it is also giving me the opportunity to grow and gain life skills before I apply for the job.”

The course aims to tackle the fact that many applicants have previously not been recruited to the police because of lack of life experience.

By 2010 Cumbria police hope to recruit 25 per cent of new officers from the programme.

Associate lecturer PC Julian Parker said: “The programme will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills for a range of careers in policing and criminal justice.”Over the next two years the Institute of Policing and Criminal Justice will launch a three-year degree in criminology and criminal justice, alongside four undergraduate programmes in policing and criminology, forensic physiology, crime science and criminal investigation.

It is this year also launching a foundation degree for Cumbria police and support staff.