Police force having to shed hundreds now looking to recruit constables

North Yorkshire Police wants to employ officers currently serving in other forces, but only those willing to work by the seaside need apply.

A high retirement rate among officers based on the East Coast means the force faces a staffing crisis, with a particular need to fill positions in Scarborough and Filey.

Chief officers have tried to entice candidates with an advert in a policing magazine, emphasising the natural beauty of England’s largest county.

It reads: “With its mix of breathtaking rural scenery, spectacular coastline and ancient city streets, this is quite simply one of the best places you could choose to live and work.” The advert goes on to state that officers would be expected to remain posted on the East Coast for at least three years.

The Yorkshire Post understands the force is hoping to recruit up to 20 officers of police constable and detective constable rank.

Successful applicants for the police constable posts must be “community focused”, “able to demonstrate a proactive approach to the role” and have “strong investigative team working skills”.

The detective constables would be based at Scarborough.

The advert was published a week after a meeting of North Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents junior ranks, heard that 225 officer posts had been lost in the last four years.

While the county’s overall population had grown, officer strength had fallen from 1,654 to 1,429.

The force’s own forecasts indicate the number will have reduced to 1,294 officers by 2015 – the lowest since 1977.

It is cheaper to take on officers seeking transfers from other forces than to recruit student officers who require initial police training.

North Yorkshire held a recruitment drive for student officers last year, but a shambolic campaign ended with no one getting a job and the force’s two most senior officers facing disciplinary action.

Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell was given a final written warning after admitting gross misconduct over claims he unfairly helped a relative.

His deputy Adam Briggs, who has since retired, was also sanctioned over the affair.

Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross said: “To maintain our high levels of service to our communities, there is a need to carefully plan ahead for the future and in reviewing the profile of the force, we have identified a need to recruit specifically to these locations to take account of projected retirements and leavers across a range of skills.”