Northumbria Police invites expressions of interest for the 2025 Police Officer intake, offering opportunities to join through the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), or Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
Applicants must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths — for example, GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above — or equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and/or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy/Literacy Plus.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals ready to start a rewarding career in policing, supporting communities and making a real difference across the Northumbria region. Northumbria Police welcomes dedicated applicants who are committed to protecting the public and upholding the highest standards of service and integrity.
Position: Police Officer
Salary: £29,907
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Northumbria
About the Role:
Police Officer Expression of interest 2025
Unleash your potential. Be a part of the future of policing.
Being a police officer with Northumbria Police is a unique career filled with reward and challenge. No two days on the front line are the same, and it will be your job to protect the vulnerable, support victims or crime and to build trust and forge valuable relationships with the diverse communities you serve.
We are looking to recruit individuals who live and work by our values, and those who will be committed to our purpose to “keep people safe and fight crime”. This is a career where you can truly make a difference and change people’s lives every day.
The role of a PC is varied, and you will encounter circumstances that you will not previously have been exposed to. It’s much more than blue lights and fast cars. You will be protecting the vulnerable; giving evidence in court; supporting victims of domestic violence; investigating burglaries and working in partnership with communities.
To equip our PCs to feel ready for these situations, we provide new recruits with a high standard, structured and rigorous training programme.
While we make every effort to ensure police officers are afforded flexibility in their roles and have sight of shift patterns in advance, the nature of the role means working a variety of shifts over evenings, nights, and weekends.
Ways into policing
Our entry routes into policing are largely focused around your academic qualifications and previous experience. Whether you already have a degree, you’re looking to gain one or you’re looking to become a uniformed officer without training for a higher education qualification, there are several ways into the world of frontline policing.
We have three entry routes you can choose from, all offering entry for Police Constable. Each route has different eligibility requirements, which will be outlined in our information session and on our careers page.
- Our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), is a 2 year programme where you earn as you learn, gaining a Level 6 Post-Graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice. It is specifically for those with any degree or equivalent qualifications.
- Our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), is a 3 year programme where you will earn as you learn, gaining a (BSc) Hons degree in Professional Policing Practice fully funded by Northumbria Police.
- Our Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP), is a 2 year programme with a blend of classroom-based learning and practical on the job training to equip you will the skills and experience you need to meet the demands of modern policing. Unlike other entry routes, you won’t study towards a qualification during your training.
What we offer
You will complete your operational training and academic learning whilst on the job and whilst you are studying you will also be paid a salary of £29,907. Over 7 years, subject to a simple performance review, you can earn up to £48,231.
- You’ll have a starting allowance of 22 days annual leave, rising to 30 days depending on your length of service. You will also be entitled to 8-11 public holidays each year. Where these fall on a weekend, officers will be entitled to the original public holiday and substitute bank holiday.
- New Police Pension Scheme 2015, Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme which offers a guaranteed pension with an optional lump sum, based on the earnings you receive during your career
- Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
- Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
- Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
- We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
- Access to gyms in some stations
- Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
- Cycle to work scheme
What you’ll need
Applicants for the Police Constable degree apprenticeship must have:
- Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths for example a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy / Literacy Plus
AND
- Level 3 qualifications where the grades total 112 UCAS points or higher. Your Tariff Points can be made up of several different types of qualifications. OR Be aged 21+ and have a minimum of 2 Level 3 (or higher) qualifications PLUS a minimum of 3 years work experience that will support your progression into the Police Officer role.
Applicants for the Degree Holder entry programme must have:
- Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths. For example a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy / Literacy Plus
AND
- Be a level 6 degree (or higher, i.e. master’s degree/ PhD, etc.) holder in any subject area or be a student within the final semester of study for a degree
Applicants for the Police Constable entry programme must have:
- Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths. For example a GCSE or iGCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy / Literacy Plus
AND
- Two Level 3 (or higher) qualifications.
OR
- Hold a degree in Professional Policing Practice from a College of Policing accredited supplier or be in your final year of study. If you have a Professional Policing Degree you will automatically be enrolled onto our PCEP entry route.
- If you don’t have A-Levels but do have at least one year of professional experience working in areas such as those below, we encourage you to apply: (note that this is not an exhaustive list and all previous experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.) armed forces, border force, criminal justice sector/CPS/courts, cyber/digital and financial fraud crimes, emergency services, health and social care sectors, justice and law enforcement sectors, police staff (particularly custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles and investigative roles), PCSO or Special Constable, prison service, professional services/project management, teaching, youth work.
General requirements for all entry routes:
- You must have a full UK manual driving licence, but we do accommodate for applicants who don’t drive due to a disability.
- Residence in the UK for the past 3 years for vetting
You can visit our careers pages to find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the role, eligibility requirements and police officer pay & benefits
The Application process
Being a police officer can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding but it is also very rewarding. It’s not a career for everyone. We want to ensure all applicants are well informed ahead of applying.
The first step of your application will be to attend a mandatory online information event. Here, you’ll gain insight into what working as a detective or uniformed police officer at Northumbria Police is really like, find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the role, eligibility requirements, police officer pay & benefits, and you’ll have the opportunity to speak to current officers about life at #teamnp.
You can register to attend one of our upcoming events by clicking apply below and filling in our expression of interest form via our careers site, we will then contact you to book a onto a session. Once you’ve attended an information session, we will send you a full application form to your registered email address.
What are the career opportunities?
After you have successfully completed your chosen programme, you have the opportunity to specialise, whether this be in a Neighbourhood Policing Team where a more collaborative community approach is required or as a detective, investigating more complex crime.
Other specialist roles could include:
Motor Patrols, Firearms, Mounted, Marine, Airport Policing and Dog Handler.
Just so you know
At Northumbria Police we are all different and that’s our greatest strength. We draw on the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We protect and serve everyone and therefore believe in including everyone. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all areas of the community as appointments are based solely on merit.
If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed.
A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
To apply for this role, please visit HERE
Application Deadline
Recruitment is ongoing