North Wales Police Scholarships

25 September 2005

North Wales Police and the University of Wales, Bangor are launching an exciting new scholarship initiative aimed specifically at attracting young people to follow a degree through the medium of Welsh and then to consider a career with the police after graduating.

The scholarship is the result of a partnership between North Wales Police and the School of Social Sciences and will be awarded to the best four students who have sat an examination and who have already applied to follow a degree course in Sociology and Social Policy ( L3LK ) or any other honours degree course in Sociology  / or Policy.

The initiative has come about because North Wales Police is pro-actively seeking to increase the number of staff who have both spoken and written Welsh skills of a high standard.

North Wales Police’s officer in charge of promoting bi-lingual matters, Chief Inspector Ray Hughes said: “We have a duty as a public service, under the Welsh Language Act 1993, to offer a bi-lingual service, and this scholarship is part of the initiative.”

He added: “This is an excellent opportunity for us to promote to young people that we are a bi-lingual service.”

Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom said: “As a large employer in North Wales, the organisation is aware of it’s responsibilities both in promoting bilingualism in the area, and also supporting the Welsh Assembly’s initiative, ‘Iaith Pawb.’ We are extremely pleased to offer this scholarship in partnership with the University.”

Gwenda Rhian Jones, Admissions Tutor at the School of Social Sciences said: “The Sociology and Social Policy degree is unique and is particularly aimed at preparing professional young people to work bilingually within the police service. We are an active, friendly unit which aims for high standards both practically and academically.”

The scholarship programme is one of many initiatives that North Wales Police have already undertaken to attract Welsh speakers to join the force. Recently, North Wales Police presented their new recruiting DVD, which is a useful tool during awareness sessions for prospective candidates. It’s aimed at providing information about the day to day duties of police officers helping interested individuals to prepare for the recruiting process.