Nineteen new officers will be reporting for duty next week in Nottinghamshire after they were formally welcomed into the force.

Proud family members, friends and colleagues gathered at Nottinghamshire Police's headquarters on Friday (February 24) to welcome the latest batch of new recruits.

The programme takes two years to complete and combines a work-based programme, supported by off the job learning.

Having just completed 21 weeks of arduous initial training, they will now spend the rest of the next two years completing the final part of their training in uniform and CID roles

The new recruits will start next week after 21 months of training (image via Nottighamshire Police)

DCC Steve Cooper, who addressed the new recruits, said: "Policing is a rewarding and varied career, and I was delighted to welcome these new recruits to the ranks.

"Each of them is at the start of a new and exciting journey that at times will be extremely challenging.

"We have spent the last 21 weeks preparing them to deal with those challenges in the best way they can, and I have every confidence they will rise to meet them.

"Serving with integrity, pride and compassion, they now have the chance to make a real and lasting difference to the many communities we serve.

"I really look forward to watching their progress in the years ahead."