THREE Blackburn College students are ready to go out on patrol and make their first arrests after starting careers as Special Constables.

Kassim Hussain, 22, from Nelson, Yasser Parvaiz, 23, and Rowan Nelson, 25, both from Blackburn, have completed a Level 4 Leadership in Policing course at the college.

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The students originally found out about the course via a college event, which saw members of Lancashire police – including Supt Stuart Noble – giving talks about their new scheme.

The aim of the programme is to actively recruit initially from ethnic minority communities into the policing family, with a focus on the role of Special Constables.

The Institute of Leadership and Management curriculum focuses on developing leadership styles, problem solving and effective decision-making.

It also covers understanding organisational culture and context, managing and implementing change, and understanding and developing relationships in the workplace.

Successful candidates earn an ILM qualification, as well as the experience of shadowing operational officers.

It also gives an insight into modern policing and candidates are given a mentor from Lancashire Constabulary during the 12-month period.

Ahmed Esat, lecturer in Business, Leadership and Management at the college, said: “We’re really pleased that this collaboration with Lancashire Constabulary, a top-performing Police service, has resulted in students being able to enter the Police as Special Constables, or just increase their employability potential for a wide variety of roles in the service.

“At University Centre at Blackburn College, nine out of 10 of our degree students are in work or further study just six months after graduation.

“It’s through schemes like these that our graduates get to learn more about the careers and opportunities available to them whilst building up employment skills .”

The trio will spend at least four hours each week and are excited about going on patrol.