NORTH Yorkshire Police are looking to benefit from the expertise of experienced detectives and firearms officers through a transferee recruitment drive.

Experienced detective constables and authorised firearms officers from forces elsewhere in the country are being encouraged to apply for a transfer to the North Yorkshire patch.

The scheme to recruit transferees comes just months after North Yorkshire Police achieved record numbers of applications for its new police officer positions.

More than 1,200 applications were received in what was the force’s first external recruitment drive for PCs in 18-months.

The force actively recruits transferees from other police forces for certain roles in an effort to get a good balance of knowledge and experience in their workforce.

In particular, women, black and minority ethnic candidates and candidates from the LGBT community are particularly encouraged to apply, as members of these groups are currently under-represented in these role compared to local demographics, although all appointments are made on merit.

Commenting on the launch of the new drive, Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “This is an exciting opportunity for experienced officers who have had the opportunity to gain experience elsewhere and are looking to take the next step in their career to join our team.

“We are investing in new technologies, and developing new ways of working, that will help us to keep the public safe.

“However, the most important resource in any organisation is its people, so welcoming new talent, including both new and experienced officers, is vital in helping us to achieve our vision of being an exemplary service.”

Assistant Chief Constable Amanda Oliver, who joined North Yorkshire Police as a transferee in 2009 said: “Having spent most of my career at Cleveland Police, I joined North Yorkshire Police as Superintendent in 2009 before becoming Assistant Chief Constable in 2017.

“I think like many officers who decide to transfer here, it was the diversity of the policing challenge such as the City Of York, large geography and vast rural areas of North Yorkshire which first attracted me to apply here.

“Transferring to North Yorkshire Police was one of the best things I ever did and I’d recommend it to any officer, at any level, who is ready for a new challenge to give it a go.”

The recruitment process for experienced detective constables and authorised firearms officers to join North Yorkshire Police launched this week and closes on February 28.