New recruits are proud to serve

I mentioned last time about a group of new recruits set to be starting on the beat in Mansfield and Ashfield.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of meeting the group as they prepared for their passing out parade and in doing so it reminded me of when I joined the service more than 20 years ago. I remember being a little apprehensive about the challenges ahead but I remember being really keen to learn about the local community and to make a difference, I see a similar enthusiasm and energy from our new officers and I am sure that they will provide boost to our local policing response.

They are now on the beat working with their tutor constables responding to emergency calls in our community.

I would like to share with you some of their thoughts about going out operationally including PC Ronnie Landa, 22, who will take on the role of a Response Officer across Mansfield and Sutton. He said he was excited to take on the role to begin working within a new community in Nottinghamshire.

He said: “I am really excited to mix with lots of different people in the community and help to promote a safer and more diverse Mansfield.

“As someone from an Asian background, I really want to help to break the barriers of Sikh officers in the community and help people to see that if I can do it, they can do it too.

“It is one of my goals to inspire others to do what they want to do despite their religion.”

PC Landa who previously worked as a security guard at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre, added that the role is a big career move for him.

He said: “I have wanted to do this for a long time and I find this far more interesting than working in a desk job and I am committed to putting in a high level of service to the community.

“I really hope that my role can help to achieve diversity, both in the force and the community.”

He added that Nottinghamshire Police had respected his religion, which requires him to wear a turban.

He said: “I am really grateful for all the support that I have received from Nottinghamshire Police so far regarding my religion and I hope that this is as inspiring to others as it is to me.

Pete Wooding will also be joining the team of new recruits next week and will be based in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

PC Wooding, who was born and bred in Nottinghamshire, was previously working in Derbyshire as a Police Office but left the force to retrain as a teacher. Then, after missing policing, he decided to join Nottinghamshire Police.

He said he was looking forward to getting out and about in the community to make a difference.

He said: “I am really proud that I will get to play a big role in protecting the community and it feels really good to be able to get to work.”

After months of training I’m sure our new colleagues will be looking forward to getting out on the beat and making a difference to their communities. We look forward to working with them and helping strengthen our teams in Mansfield and Ashfield.

I am confident that the eight additional officers along with other recent arrivals and more to follow in the months ahead will make a difference to our community.