Almost 3,000 people have applied to become a police officer with Lancashire Constabulary, despite announced cuts in funding that many fear will damage the force’s ability to fight crime across the county.
The recruitment window for the 120 new posts has now closed and all applicants will be contacted the week commencing 23rd November to let them know whether they have been successful or not.
The chosen candidates will be recruited to start training from June 2016.
The latest round of recruitment is going ahead despite the warning this week from Chief Constable Steve Finnigan and Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw of potentially devastating further cuts to the force.
The Chief Constable warned earlier this week that Lancashire Police will “not be viable” after 2020 because of cuts to funding, saying the county faced the harshest budget cuts in England, which could potentially see the force becoming a “blue light” service, responding to emergencies only.
Both the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner are doing all they can to push back on these proposed cuts as well as trying to gain public support.
PCC Clive Grunshaw said: “We need to maintain our recruitment levels for this year and I wish all the applicants well with their applications. Lancashire Constabulary is now and will remain one of the best forces in the country to work for. “