APPLICATIONS have been opened for civilians to join North Yorkshire Police at Inspector rank without having any previous police experience.

Direct Entry was introduced by the Government in 2013 so members of the private or commercial sector could join police forces in senior roles despite having no policing experience.

The move led to the hiring of one officer from 67 applicants, with former RAF man Adam Thomson taking on at Superintendent level.

He left North Yorkshire Police in early 2018 to work with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office in a national role coordinating 'protect and prepare strategies' with the Home Office, and this week the force announced it would reopen the Direct Entry scheme at Inspector Level.

Deputy Chief Constable Phil Cain said the scheme was a form of "positive action by North Yorkshire Police", to hire external candidates "who can bring fresh ideas and approaches to local policing".

He said: "It is also important that we do all we can to make sure our officers and staff better reflect the communities they serve. Therefore this is a welcome opportunity to introduce a more diverse range of talent into the organisation. The move to support the direct entry inspector programme, which takes 18 months to complete, is just one part of a wider effort to enhance leadership within North Yorkshire Police."

North Yorkshire Police Federation previously called Direct Entry "a kick in the teeth" to those already within the force who were preparing for promotion.

DCC Cain said internal Sergeant to Inspector promotions would run in May, and PC to Sergeant promotions would take place in September, and chair of the Federation Chief Inspector Rob Bowles said this was encouraging, but Direct Entry might not be the best way forward.

Chief Insp Bowles said: "North Yorkshire Police Federation share Deputy Chief Constables Cain’s desire to encourage diversity, fresh ideas and approaches to local policing but we do not think that Direct Entry is the most effective way to achieve these ambitions.

"It is our position that we have a broad range of talent already in the organisation - dedicated and professional officers who have demonstrated their commitment over many years. Our members would be hugely demotivated and demoralised if they feel they have missed opportunities for promotion due to Direct Entry."