New Police Officers
As a police officer, you will become the face and voice of North Wales Police. Our officers are on the ground, speaking to victims, preventing crime and working with organisations to make North Wales the safest place to live, work and visit in the UK.
Our officers all come from different walks of life, and everyone will have joined for a different reason, but they’re all united by the same goal – to keep communities safe.
The role is challenging, and you will work a range of shifts, including nights as we cover a 24/7 service, 365 days of the year. From response, to intelligence, to armed policing, wherever your career takes you, however you want to specialise – you will always be building a career that counts and making a difference.
Which entry route should I choose?
The first year of your career will be the same regardless of entry route. All new joiners in a cohort will join the same 22 week training programme which is delivered in a combination of classroom and practical learning. Following this, depending on your chosen entry route, your training might differ for the next year (or two for PCDA entries).
There are two options for people who don’t hold a degree to gain entry into NWP. If you’d like to go straight into policing and have no interest in obtaining a degree, you can join on the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP). If you’d prefer to learn while you earn and obtain your degree whilst training to be an officer, you can enter on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).
The PCEP entry route is a two-year training programme. Upon successful completion of your probationary period, you’ll be confirmed in post as a police constable.
The PCDA will involve a three-year training programme where you will complete a degree alongside your initial training. Upon completion of the programme, you will achieve a degree.
Education entry requirements for both routes are a level 3 qualification (equivalent of 2 A Levels). If you don’t hold a level 3 qualification, you can complete a verbal reasoning and calculation test as part of your application. Read more about other eligibility requirements here.
Anyone who holds a degree can enter on the Degree Holder Entry programme (DHEP). This is a two-year work-based training programme supported by off the job learning. Upon completion of your probationary period, you’ll earn a level 6 Graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice .
Education entry requirements for this route is a degree (in any subject). Read more about other eligibility here.
If you hold a professional policing degree, you are eligible to enter on the Professional Policing Degree (PPD) entry route. This route will refresh your learning in the classroom to ensure you feel confident in your role, before you join a local policing team to have on the job learning. Your probationary period will be two years.
Meet the team
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