End of era at college (From Tewkesbury Admag)

End of era at college

POLICE and fire chiefs have looked back on a successful working relationship after the final batch of police recruits graduated from Moreton Fire College.

The latest newly-trained police officers were watched by friends and family at their passing out parade on Friday, the last of 1,500 over a three-year period.

Ann Frost, chief executive of the college, said she and her colleagues would be sorry to see the last of the police recruits. "We have enjoyed having them here and have worked well with them during the time they have been at the college."

The Central Police Training and Development Authority, Centrex, is now focusing all training at its main bases.

Steve Tinsley, head of the authority's Cwmbran site who had responsibility for the Moreton operation, said the final parade was a sad moment.

The college is now bidding for Ministry of Defence fire service work. No jobs at the college are threatened by the changes.