Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Lancashire Police have welcomed a total of 46 new Police Constables in the latest attestation ceremonies held at their Headquarters in Hutton.
The new cohort of PCs were sworn in in the presence of a presiding magistrate, members of the Chief Officer Team and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Representing Lancashire’s seventh Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) intake, the new officers promised to uphold the key values and principles that the Constabulary expects from all within the organisation.
There were so many students on the latest PCEP course that two attestation ceremonies had to be held, the first on Tuesday 13th January and the second on Thursday 15th January.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam Mackenzie attended both attestation ceremonies.
He was joined by Chief Operating Officer Gillian Routledge and Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw at the first attestation ceremony on the Tuesday, and Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Lee and Deputy Commissioner Kimberly Whitehead at the ceremony on the Thursday.
Their attestation ceremony is an important moment for all police officers as they embark on a career in policing.
The pledge made by every new officer underlines their commitment to serve Lancashire Constabulary and the public with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality throughout their time in post.
Now that they have sworn an oath to the King, the new recruits have been granted their policing powers, including the power to arrest.
Deputy Chief Constable Sam Mackenzie, who attended the attestation ceremonies, said:
“Attestation is one of those unforgettable moments in policing. Standing beside our newest officers and handing them their warrant cards in front of their proud families was a powerful reminder of why we chose this profession.
“These officers haven’t just joined a force, they’ve joined a family. They’ve shown real commitment throughout a challenging recruitment process, and we have complete confidence in their ability to serve Lancashire with courage, compassion, and integrity.
“This ceremony represents more than a milestone; it’s a pledge, a pledge to protect the vulnerable, listen to every voice, and lead with honesty and care. I look forward to watching these officers grow into their roles and make a meaningful, lasting impact across our communities.”
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, who attended one of the ceremonies said:
"It’s genuinely inspiring to see the passion and dedication our new officers bring as they start their careers. They’re eager to work hard to protect the people of Lancashire, tackle crime, and prevent harm in our communities.
“The public rightly expect to see more officers out on our streets, visible, engaged, and making a real difference and tackling the issues that matter most to people in their local area. That’s exactly what my Police and Crime Plan, together with the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, is designed to deliver. We’re embedding officers in the communities they serve, gathering local intelligence, and working proactively to keep people safe.
"As the public’s voice in policing, I’m working to making Lancashire safer, a commitment that underpins everything my Office and I do. Every officer and staff member plays a vital role in delivering on the priorities that matter most to our residents, and I will hold the Chief Constable to account for achieving the highest standards across the county.”