Up TO £1 million is to be invested in North Yorkshire Police staff to increase their opportunities for improving vital knowledge and skills, it has been announced.

The cash will be spent in a number of areas, including improved training for probationary police officers and developing more lifelong learning.

It has been made available by North Yorkshire Police Authority and will be used to increase the range of National Vocational Qualifications offered by the force. It will also pay for additional driver and firearms training staff and for the recruitment of a career development officer.

The investment is part of the NYPolicing Thrust strategy. Training at North Yorkshire is delivered by the Staff Development Services Department (SDSD).

Superintendent Paul Ackerley, head of SDSD, said: ""North Yorkshire Police is dedicated to the training of its staff and we are continually looking to deliver the right training at the right time and place."

Updated: 10:34 Monday, June 16, 2003