The police must open their ranks to “bright and ambitious” recruits from the military, civil service, finance and business, the Home Secretary has said.
Amber Rudd revealed that just eight people have been recruited from outside police ranks under the first intake of the Direct Entry scheme earlier this year, as she urged police chiefs to do more.
She ruled out introducing a target, however. It came as the Metropolitan Police announced that its new chief constable will be a serving officer who could come from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or America as foreign candidates are allowed to apply for the role for the first time.
Amber Rudd insisted the intention of the Direct Entry scheme is not to take away top jobs from existing police
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who was appointed in September 2011 in the wake of the London riots, will step down in February.
Delivering her …