From September, officers beginning their policing career via the PEQF route will be able to complete parts of their training in Welsh.

As part of a collaboration with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (which works with universities supporting study opportunities in Welsh), and the University of South Wales, the force has now announced it will be providing recruits with the option to complete parts of their policing training in Welsh. 

Students undertake their initial training in the HQ before then training ‘on the job’ with Local Policing Areas. 

From September, practical inputs will be developed for role play, driver training and interviewing in Welsh. The University will maximise opportunities for students to engage with them in Welsh, students can submit work in Welsh and will be provided with academic material in Welsh also. 

Students will also be able to apply for bursary’s from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol where they can demonstrate that a third of their academic qualification is undertaken in Welsh.

The force has also said there will be an expectation on Welsh speaking officers to support others to develop their language skills. Non-Welsh speaking, or Welsh learner student officers will have the chance of additional workshops for their language skills as well as the opportunity to practice in practical scenarios. 

Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis said: "The Welsh language is an integral part of the majority of communities we police in the Dyfed-Powys area, and it is extremely important for us to show respect for our Welsh speaking communities by being able to offer them a completely bilingual policing service.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn added: “A high percentage of the population in the Dyfed-Powys area are first language Welsh speakers, and therefore we have a duty to ensure that we can undoubtedly provide a bilingual service, and that we have a workforce that has the skills to communicate with the public confidently in Welsh and English.”

Police Oracle understands that the other Welsh forces do include certain provisions for the Welsh language within PEQF training. In South Wales for example students undertake Welsh Level 1 and 2 College of Policing Learn packages, although the PEQF and lesson materials are in English.