Blood, Sweat and Cheers: MDP Recruit Training Team Recognised Nationally

The Ministry of Defence Police Recruit Training Team has been Highly Commended in the Healthy Living category at the national Oscar Kilo Awards 2026, held as part of this year's Oscar Kilo Conference.

National Recognition at the Oscar Kilo Awards

The conference, themed "From Strategy to Reality," brought together around 200 delegates from policing and wellbeing services across the country. It was hosted by Gamal Fahnbulleh and opened with a discussion featuring Andy Rhodes OBE QPM, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and Geoff Cheshire, exploring how forces can turn wellbeing strategy into meaningful, lasting change for officers and staff.

Among a strong field of entries from forces across the UK, MDP's Recruit Training Team stood out for a fitness and charity challenge programme that has been running since 2022 at Southwick Park.

Building Resilience From Day One

The programme weaves physical fitness and charitable fundraising into the very start of a recruit's career, encouraging new officers to build resilience, teamwork and a sense of purpose from day one. Over the past four years, recruits and trainers have taken on an impressive range of challenges together, including:

• walking and running the distance equivalent of Land's End to John O'Groats

• completing 100 press-ups a day for 30 days

• lifting a combined 1,600 tonnes during a 12-week strength challenge

• taking part in the Bournemouth Half Marathon

• completing the Bluebell Run 10K

Along the way, these challenges have raised approximately £20,000 for charities close to the hearts of those who've taken part, including Dementia UK, RNLI, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide, Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, Acts of Kindness, Carlie's Beach Hut, and Sophie's Legacy.

What the Recognition Means for the Force

Reflecting on the award, the Superintendent Lofthouse, of Learning and Development said:

"Huge congratulations to the Recruit Training Team on this fantastic achievement. Being recognised as Highly Commended at a national level is thoroughly deserved recognition of the dedication and creativity they bring to shaping our newest officers. What makes this programme so special is that it embeds the importance of fitness, resilience, and looking after one another right from the very first weeks of service, values that will stay with these officers throughout their careers. This recognition isn't just a proud moment for the team; it's a reflection of the kind of Force we want to be, one that takes wellbeing seriously at every stage, starting from day one. I couldn't be prouder of what they've built."

A Team Effort, A Shared Pride

PS Evans and PC Sanders, from the Recruit Training Team who accepted the award, spoke about what the recognition means to them and their colleagues:

"We feel incredibly privileged to play a part in shaping our newest officers, not just professionally, but personally too. Building fitness and resilience into their training from day one helps set them up for the realities of the job, and raising money for such meaningful charities along the way reminds everyone involved why resilience and looking after each other matters so much."

Ali, MDP Health and Wellbeing Advisor, who nominated the team for the award and joined them at the conference, said:

"Massive congratulations to the whole team on this award, so well deserved. It's brilliant to see the positive culture you're building being recognised on a national stage."

Looking Ahead

The Recruit Training Team's Highly Commended award is a proud moment not just for those involved, but for MDP as a whole, showcasing the kind of innovative, people-focused thinking that continues to shape the Force's approach to training and wellbeing.