PROPOSALS that could see rookie cops bypassing years of pounding the beat to go straight to investigating crimes such as rape and sex abuse, have been slammed by an ex-cop.


Ray Cole  Former head of Cumbria's now defunct police authority, Ray Cole, said the experience officers got by working their way through the ranks could not be taught in a classroom.

He said it could lead to similar issues as in the British Army during the First World War, with "lions being led by donkeys".

Under new plans, every new constable from 2019 could be required to have a degree – or agree to work towards an equivalent qualification. 

The proposal by the College of Policing, the official body which oversees police training, is expected to save the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds a year by requiring new recruits to pay for their own training before joining a force.

Currently the public foots the £25,000 average bill for training each constable, while other professions such as the law, nursing, medicine, teaching and social work require applicants to have already won academic qualifications at their own expense.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall, the head of the college, said it would allow a different type of workforce to "hit the ground running", investigating more complex incidents such as sex crimes, cyber crime and child sexual abuse. 

Bursaries, scholarships and loans could be used to help those unable to fund the costs of the course.

An alternative route, involving an apprenticeship, could be available for applicants unwilling or unable to complete a degree, the consultation paper said.

But Millom and Copeland county councillor Mr Cole said: "I find it really quite discriminatory because some people will not be able to fund a degree.

"I think officers need to start on the ground and work their way up. You can't gain common sense and how to deal with situations unless you have that. I have never agreed with this sort of rapid promotion.

"This will just be another example of someone running an organisation with no experience. Total disaster.

"You have to come in on the ground floor and work your way up.

"It will be like when it happened in the army. A case of lions being led by donkeys.

"A lot of police work is about good old common sense and that's not something that can be taught in the classroom. 

"Just because someone's academically sound doesn't mean they will make a good police officer.

"It may also put off those who are less academically able but would have made excellent officers."