Police Officer - Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme (Detective DHEP)

Police Officer
Forcewide
Police Constable
£29,682 (which includes a £3,000 South East living allowance)
Full Time
Permanent

What you can expect from the Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme (Detective DHEP)  

From day one of your training you are a warranted officer and on successful completion of the programme and your probation, you will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice.  

A two-year entry route into an investigative career for degree-holders; combining on-the-job practical learning and operational competence with academic learning.

Programme outline

Year one:  A blended learning programme delivered by TVP and Bucks New University with an initial learning phase based at TVP’s Training Centre in Sulhamstead, Reading or at HQ North, Kidlington.  This would then be followed by a 10 week tutoring phase (in uniform) after which student officers will go straight into a detective role within their designated investigation team where further tutoring and operational work-based learning will take place.  In year one, operational training will include officer safety training, making an arrest and how to conduct a stop and search, amongst other things. You will also be required to complete four academic assignments*. Two of these are completed during the initial learning phase, the remaining two are to be completed whilst operationally deployed during assigned periods of Protected Learning Time**.  During year one student DC’s will also apply for and take the National Investigators Exam (NIE).      

Year two: Builds on the first year with more operational / work-based learning within your Priority Crime Team (PCT).  Student DC’s will start to build their Operational Competence Portfolio (OCP) – learning, applying and evidencing your core policing skills.  You will need to complete all elements of the PC DHEP (four academic assignments* whilst operationally deployed during assigned periods of Protected Learning Time**) achieving a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice with the additional PIP2 learning, training and accreditation to qualify you as a Detective Constable.   

*  Academic assignments are typically made up of the following: coursework (essays / reports / portfolios), presentations / posters and time-constrained examinations / set exercises.

**  There is sufficient protected learning time (PLT) built into the DC DHEP programme throughout the 2 years in order to successfully complete the course and achieve the relevant qualification. Part of this PLT is reserved for learning (off the job training) to be delivered to the student and part is reserved as independent study time to assist in the completion of the academic assignments. However, students may wish to spend additional time on completing assignments outside of these allocated hours. 


Remuneration

Starting salary of £29,682 (inclusive of a £3,000 South-East living allowance).

 

Application process

Typically the process from initial application through to start date can take around 12 months

  • Self-assessment form – all potential applicants must self-assess their eligibility prior to applying
  • Application including proof of eligibility (e.g. educational certificates, compliance with residency, tattoo policy etc.)
  • Online Assessments (National Sift and Online Assessment Centre (OAC))
  • Force panel interview led by a Senior Detective and including an additional assessment based on the skills required to be a detective.  Please note ALL candidates (internal and external) will be required to do a panel interview
  • Provisional offer
  • Pre-employment checks including fitness test, medical, references and vetting
  • Formal offer including written confirmation of posting, salary and start date

 

Eligibility – to apply for a role as a Police Officer via the DC DHEP you must: 

  • Age - be at least 17 years of age on application and be 18 years of age on the day you join
  • Citizenship – be a British citizen, or an EU/EEA national, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain or Pre-Settled/Settled status and no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom
  • Education must have a minimum of a UK bachelor’s degree qualification or equivalent (or be in the final year of study).  Official results would be required before an offer of appointment is made.
  • Drivers Licence - have a full manual UK or EEA driving licence before receiving a formal offer of appointment.
  • Criminal Record - not have served any period of imprisonment or youth detention. If you have a criminal record or conviction, it may lead to your application being rejected.  We will take into account factors including the date and nature of the offence, plus evidence of good character since the offence.
  • Health - be in good health and able to physically and mentally perform the duties of a Police Officer once appointed. By provisional offer of employment applicants must have a BMI range of between 18-32.
  • Personal - not have any piercings or tattoos which could cause offence.
  • Previous application - not have applied unsuccessfully to any Home Office Force within the past six months.
  • Location - live within 30 crow miles, 40 road miles and 1 hour commute from two of our main police stations by formal offer of appointment.  A degree of flexibility is expected in terms of postings as we may be forced to post to locations within policy parameters if organisational need dictates this.
  • TVP applicants – those currently working as a PCSO, Detention Officer or a Contact Management Call Handler must have been in their role for 12 months before applying.

You can expect to start with us on an intake in Autumn 2023 or early Spring 2024.

 

Benefits

Police Officers and Police Staff have access to a fantastic range of benefits, dependent on role, location and length of service. To view a full list of our benefits please click here

Important


All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Thames Valley Police serves diverse communities; to truly reflect this, we are keen to recruit people from Black, Asian and other minority backgrounds. We value the knowledge and experiences that individuals bring from different cultures and welcome any contributions that can enhance the services we deliver to the public.

 

We believe in investing in all of our people, and run tailored Positive Action Initiatives to support our colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds in their personal and professional development, ensuring everyone has a level playing field to succeed, progress and feel fulfilled in their careers.

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities.  Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission.  As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us.

Working Smart.  You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day.  In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce. 

Supporting You.  Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do.  Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives.  We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with.  We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card.  Learn more about how we will be Supporting You.

Developing YouWe promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential. 

Valuing Difference.  We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference.  Learn more about how we are Valuing Difference.    

Vetting.  All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

This opportunity is closed to applications.