158 detectives from across 14 forces in England and Wales graduated from Police Now's two-year National Detective Programme, after successfully completing the intense programme. 

The detectives were selected out of thousands of applicants to the programme, for their leadership skills and outstanding commitment to public service. Over the last two years, they have played an integral part in supporting victims of crime, solving complex cases and building public confidence in policing.  

This cohort have proactively tackled crime and anti-social behaviour, supported vulnerable victims, helped increase public confidence in policing and transformed communities. 

Police Now has partnered with 35 police forces to recruit, train and develop over 2,600 officers via its National Graduate Leadership Programme and National Detective Programme. Of those recruited onto this cohort of the National Detective Programme, 66% identified as female and 24% identified as Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background (68% of whom identified as female) - with 29 unique languages spoken across the cohort. 

Addressing the national cohort, Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: "I am very proud to see you all here today. You are the people that our communities see as you engage with the most vulnerable in society and detect and prevent crime. You are the people who make a huge difference and make our communities safer. 

"Just think of the hundreds of people who would love to be in your seat today - thousands of people applied for a place on the programme. The work you have put in is phenomenal and I know that the detectives here from Gwent Police have worked incredibly hard to get here. You are the future of policing; it is yours to embrace. Be proud of policing. Be the backbone of policing and not a bystander, calling out when things are wrong and celebrating when things are right. 

"You are leaders in society with the incredible responsibility of making sure our communities are safe. I thank you for your due diligence and your commitment to your studies and the programme. Thank you for the fantastic influence you are making and will continue to make to policing. 

"Seize the day, celebrate in style and make sure you remember this day now and in the future. I look forward to hearing about your future and the influence you leave on policing and in your communities." 

Over the course of the two-year programme, participants also worked towards their Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. Two awards were presented at the graduation ceremony by Dr Michelle Rogerson, Subject Lead from the Criminology and Policing team at the University of Huddersfield, one of Police Now's academic partners: 

• Detective Constable Lauren Putnam, West Midlands Police: Dean's Prize for Excellent Academic Achievement 
• Detective Constable Chloe Blunsden, Avon and Somerset Police: Best Impact Assignment 

Detective Constable Lauren Putnam said: "I would like to say 'Happy Graduation' to all my cohort colleagues, and I am delighted to have been awarded the Dean's Prize for Excellent Academic Achievement. 

"The past two years have been challenging at times, but winning this award has made all my hard work worthwhile. I have been fortunate enough to have met a lot of amazing people throughout my time on the National Detective Programme and could not have made it through the two years without the support of my colleagues from West Midlands Police. I am looking forward to seeing the continuing positive impact delivered within our communities." 

The 14 forces that Police Now partnered with for this cohort of the programme, and the number of officers graduating from each force, are: 

• Avon and Somerset Police - 8
• City of London Police - 5
• Devon and Cornwall Police - 9
• Gloucestershire Constabulary - 9
• Gwent Police - 6
• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary - 9
• Humberside Police - 7
• Northumbria Police - 9
• South Wales Police - 11
• South Yorkshire Police - 14
• Surrey Police – 18
• Sussex Police - 22
• Thames Valley Police - 9
• West Midlands Police - 22