Durham Constabulary begins police officer recruitment drive

A major drive to recruit new officers to one of the country’s top-performing police forces opens tomorrow.

Applications to join Durham Constabulary as a police constable will open at 9am on Friday,with successful applicants having the chance to earn up to £43,032.

The force is opening applications for those interested in joining the constabulary through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) schemes, as part of the Government’s pledge to recruit 20,000 new officers.

Under the degree apprenticeship, student officers will study towards a degree in Professional Policing Practice through Northumbria University while working as a frontline officer, splitting their time between practical, on-the-job training and classroom-based learning.

Students will be paid officers from day one, with a starting salary of £26,682, which eventually rises to £43,032 and university fees will be paid for by the force.

The DHEP is for applicants who already have a degree in any subject area. Applicants will spend two years as a frontline officer while working towards a graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice.   

A third pre-join route is available for those who have already completed the Professional Policing Degree. These entrants will also do two years’ probation.

Applicants who have already passed a SEARCH/online assessment centre taken within any Home Office force in the last 24 months will also go straight to the interview stage.

Applicants will close at 5pm prompt on Friday, September 2.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “We’re looking for ambitious, motivated people who want to make a genuine difference to their communities and those in need. We’re also wanting people who are hardworking,relish a challenge and can apply commonsense.

“Being a police officer is a job that comes with immense responsibility but is also hugely rewarding.

“A career in policing is extremely varied and offers great opportunities for personal and professional development with many ways to progress throughout the force as you gain skills and experience.

“Could you be the difference? If you’ve got the ambition, passion, professionalism and courage to go the extra mile to provide the best possible service to the people of County Durham and Darlington, then we want to hear from you.”

Joy Allen, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am committed to ensuring Durham Constabulary continue to deliver on their part in the Government’s Police Uplift Programme. I am proud of the success and national recognition we have achieved to date in helping the Home Office exceed its target for recruiting new officers. I will continue to maintain personal oversight over recruitment plans.

“The additional officers will help me to deliver my Police and Crime plan and will help improve life for local people, reduce their risk and fear of crime, and increase their confidence in reporting crime.

“Our success in attracting more recruits than we had been tasked by the government has put us in a strong position to deliver on our plan. Going forward I will be focused on attracting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce, to ensure the communities of County Durham and Darlington feel safer, stronger and more resilient to crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour.”

Find out more about the role and the most frequently asked questions at Become a police constable with Durham Constabulary

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