Met Police release Line of Duty-style TV advert in bid to recruit 4,000 new officers

A Line of Duty style advert has been commissioned by the Met Police in an effort to try and recruit 4,000 new officers.

The glossy 30-second commercial has been made up to look like the hit BBC show, famous for its dramatic scenes and tense showdowns.

It even features phrases that come up on screen, done in the style of excerpts from critics.

They include ‘truly inspiring’, ‘challenging and thought-provoking’ as well as ‘Moments of sheer exhileration’.

‘Choose a career that only most people see on screen,’ a woman’s voice intones towards the end of the ad, before adding ‘Search Met Police careers.’

The short film is described as a TV ad but is also available on YouTube and the force’s social media.

The video even features phrases on screen, just like critics’ comments, including ‘intense’

It been commissioned by the Met Police in an effort to try and recruit 4,000 new officers

It is the Met’s first ever television commercial and officers believe it gives ‘the audience a glimpse into a wide variety of roles’ available.

Some of the jobs shown include firearms and explosives officers as well as safer neighbourhoods and marine police.

The nod to the exploits of Ted Hastings, Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming are barely concealed in the police press release about the ad.

It declares:  ‘The scenes are inherently dramatic and give a realistic flavour of the different activities officers carry out in their day to day jobs, aiming to convey to the millions of viewers in London and beyond who love police shows that they don’t need to just watch the action from their sofas but could be part of it themselves if they choose to join up.’

One of the officers featured in the ad is trainee PC Courtney Thompson, currently based in west London

Some of the jobs shown include firearms and explosives officers as well as safer neighbourhoods and marine police

It one moment a large man is arrested and brought in by officers for questioning during the ad

One of the officers featured in the ad is trainee PC Courtney Thompson, currently based in west London.

She is  a former restaurant manager that fell in love with the PC role on starting her apprenticeship route course.

PC Thompson said: ‘I wanted to do a job that was meaningful and something that required passion and drive.

‘I thought it was really important for London to have a police force that’s reflective of the communities it serves.

‘I feel proud to be part of the ad, It’s a really exciting time to join and I’d encourage anyone considering it to apply.

‘There are major changes happening and the vision for the future Met is one anyone would be proud to be part of.’

After reaching its highest ever headcount at the end of March 2022, of 34,000, the Met confirmed it wanted to expand further, to 36,500 officers by March 2023.

Taking into account the number of people who will retire and leave, overall recruitment will be close to 4,000 – double the number of officers normally recruited over a year period.