Specials and PCSOs enter the ranks of the regulars during event at Hendon

The Metropolitan Police has held its largest ever passing out parade for regular officers – made up entirely of former special constables and PCSOs.

The parade, which was attended by Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and London Mayor Boris Johnson, saw nearly 570 officers turn out at the Hendon Police training college.

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe told reporters that the event would go down in the history of the force. He added: "This is a great day for London.

“Another 567 officers to patrol the streets of the capital is a great achievement. This is an historic event and the number of officers passing out is the highest ever.

Mayor Boris Johnson echoed the chief officer’s sentiment: "It is vital to invest in the Met police. I'm glad we have given so many Special Constables and PCSOs the opportunity to become fully warranted police officers,” he added.

As previously reported on PoliceOracle.com, the Met is one of a number of forces that are currently recruiting exclusively from existing specials or PCSOs.

Those who are successful in the application process must undergo further assessment before being considered for a regular role and, if successful, extra training.

However, Commissioner Hogan-Howe recently said during a meeting at the London Assembly that a further scheme to encourage graduate recruits would be useful as the force sought to attract high-calibre officers in future.

The new officers on the parade had already accrued a raft of operational policing experience. They included former special who foiled a kidnap attempt, saving a victim from a vicious assault, and colleague who saved the life of a suicidal man.