Hertfordshire Constabulary
East of England · Territorial force · 2,350 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
2,350
Staff
1,200
Area (sq miles)
634
Population served
1,200,000
About Hertfordshire Constabulary
Covering Hertfordshire north of London. A suburban force with good collaboration arrangements and London fringe benefits, popular with officers seeking a balance between accessibility and quality of life.
Hertfordshire Constabulary serves as the territorial police for the county of Hertfordshire, located just north of London. This suburban area combines urbanization with scenic rural landscapes, creating a diverse environment for law enforcement. The force operates alongside the Metropolitan Police, sharing borders and resources which can lead to unique collaborative opportunities. Key transport corridors transit through the region, including major roads and railways, connecting to London and further afield, increasing the need for effective policing in both urban and rural settings.
Hertfordshire Constabulary has several specialist units that highlight its capabilities, including a Dog Unit for rapid response in various situations, a Cyber Crime Unit dedicated to tackling online crime, and an Armed Response Unit for critical incidents demanding firearms expertise. A renowned Domestic Violence Unit also plays a crucial role in addressing sensitive and complex cases, ensuring victims receive comprehensive support.
Currently, the force prioritizes enhancing community policing, tackling drug-related crimes, and addressing road safety concerns. These strategic areas reflect a commitment to community engagement and proactive policing, making Hertfordshire an appealing choice for officers seeking a fulfilling career in a supportive environment. The Constabulary emphasizes the importance of community connections, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a positive impact while working in a varied and supportive area.
Current priorities
- Enhancing community policing
- Tackling drug-related crime
- Improving road safety
- Fostering community engagement
Notable specialisms
Source: About Hertfordshire Constabulary. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
2,350
Staff
1,200
Total headcount
3,550
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
requires improvement
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
In recent oversight reports
Hertfordshire Constabulary is named in 2 recent IOPC investigation outcomes or HMICFRS thematic reports.
Met officer cleared over David Carrick conduct investigation
2026-03-20 · IOPC
Terms of reference: Home Secretary’s commission for a thematic inspection of the handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services
2023-07-19 · HMICFRS
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Engagement & social channels
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 674 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 90.9% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| Controlled drugs | 372 |
| Article for use in theft | 156 |
| Offensive weapons | 88 |
| Stolen goods | 42 |
| Articles for use in criminal damage | 11 |
| (not recorded) | 3 |
| Firearms | 2 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 418 |
| Community resolution | 112 |
| Arrest | 80 |
| (not recorded) | 45 |
| Summons / charged by post | 17 |
| Penalty Notice for Disorder | 1 |
| Caution (simple or conditional) | 1 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
10,241 crimes recorded by Hertfordshire Constabulary in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 3,289 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,518 |
| Shoplifting | 902 |
| Other theft | 803 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 601 |
| Public order | 543 |
| Vehicle crime | 439 |
| Drugs | 362 |
| Burglary | 299 |
| Other crime | 167 |
| Robbery | 88 |
| Possession of weapons | 84 |
| Bicycle theft | 81 |
| Theft from the person | 65 |
| Total | 10,241 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Misconduct hearing outcomes
27 published misconduct-hearing outcomes for Hertfordshire Constabulary. Officer names are omitted; follow the source link for the full published record.
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving Hertfordshire Constabulary over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to Hertfordshire Constabulary; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
South East Allowance
Up to £3,000 / year
Force-discretionary South East allowance, set by the chief constable up to the statutory maximum, to help offset higher living costs in the South East.
Recruitment
How to join Hertfordshire Constabulary
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.