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Apprentice officers from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) have taken part in a major multi-day training exercise designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world policing.
Members of Initial Foundation Programme (IFP) 99 participated in Exercise Synergy, a mock operational event staged across the CNC’s Sellafield and Culham sites. Led by the Professional Development Unit (PDU), the exercise forms a crucial part of the officers’ preparation for their upcoming Non-Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship (NHOPOA) end point assessments (EPAs), due in early 2026.
The PDU uses the scenario-based training to evaluate apprentices’ readiness to enter the next stage of their policing careers. By immersing officers in realistic CNC-focused situations, trainers are able to assess performance and offer targeted feedback before the formal assessment process begins.
The exercise blends written, practical, and reflective elements, reinforcing key competencies such as communication, proportionate decision-making and professional integrity. It also provides a structured environment in which officers can test their skills while building confidence for frontline deployment.
Sergeant Dave Marsden, PDU Lead, said the event also strengthens cohesion within CNC’s training teams. “By bringing together PDU Leads from across our nuclear and non-nuclear sites, these events help us align as a force-wide training team and ensure consistency so that every apprentice receives the same high standard of training,” he said.
Fellow PDU Lead Sergeant Will Roberts highlighted the scale of planning behind the exercise, noting that it requires extensive collaboration across the organisation. “The planning of Exercise Synergy is a big undertaking that involves PDU Leads from across the entire organisation liaising with other departments and pulling together to ensure it runs smoothly and effectively,” he said. Roberts added that the team has incorporated best practice from other emergency services to enhance coordination and operational realism.
“The knowledge that it is contributing to apprentices being successful at their EPAs makes all the effort worthwhile,” he said. “It’s an endeavour that PDU will continue to support and develop long into the future.”
The EPA process for CNC apprentice officers will include a written exam, a practical scenario exercise and a 75-minute professional discussion based on the portfolio evidence gathered during their apprenticeship.
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