MORE than a dozen new officers have completed their training course with North Yorkshire Police.

The 14 new officers took part in a passing out ceremony on Friday, February 1, following an 18-week training course, and will be assigned to local policing teams.

Five of the new officers will be based in York, three in Northallerton, two in Richmond, two in Harrogate, and one each in Scarborough and Skipton.

Assistant Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine hosted the ceremony and said: "I am delighted to welcome our latest group of new officers to the force following their intense initial training course. They can be very proud of what they have achieved so far and can now look forward to a challenging but very rewarding career on the front-line of policing.

"The support of family and friends is extremely important throughout a police officer’s career, so I would also like to thank all families and friends for their contribution and the sacrifices they have made to support our new recruits so far and into the future."

The new officers have previously worked as social workers, youth pastors, supermarket managers, prison officers, cabin crew, lifeguard, and a former police community support officer and police staff.