Probationary constables take Police Scotland oath of office
300 citizens were sworn into the office of constable today (Thursday, 10 November, 2022) as Police Scotland’s latest recruits joined the national service.
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM welcomed and thanked the officers during a ceremony at Police Scotland’s Headquarters, Tulliallan.
Sir Iain said: “This is a significant day for our newest officers and their families. I’m grateful to everyone who steps forward to take on the responsibilities and duties of a police officer to serve our communities.
“It is a demanding but hugely rewarding vocation and the oath of office ceremony is an important opportunity for me to welcome them into the service.
“I ask them to police as they would wish their own families to be policed - with high standards and with our values of integrity, fairness and respect, and a commitment to uphold human rights at the heart of all we do.”
The current course is comprised of 184 males (61 per cent) and 116 females (39 per cent), with the youngest probationer being 18 years old, while the oldest is 55 years old.
Nine per cent of the probationers (27 officers) identify as minority ethnic.
Of the new recruits, eight were previously members of police staff with Police Scotland, five previously served as special constables, and 22 probationary constables have previously served in the military.
Languages spoken fluently by recruits include Polish, French, Urdu, Gaelic, Greek, Arabic, Dutch, Slovakian, Swedish, German, Italian, Farsi, Spanish, Romanian, Welsh, Afrikaans and BSL.
Applications to become a Police Scotland officer can be submitted at any time. There is no upper age limit for potential recruits, who must have a good level of fitness and be at least 17.5 years old at the time of applying. More information about officer recruitment can be found here.
The service has increased recruitment in response to lower officer numbers as a result of training delays due to COVID-19 and the COP26 climate change summit, and increased retirals resulting from changes to pension arrangements.
