• Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
  The PCDA is for individuals who don’t have a degree and allows them to enter further education. The PCDA is a three-year course with a mixture of theory based learning taught at Staffordshire University and practical based training in an operational environment at Staffordshire Police. At the end of the PCDA, you will have achieved a BA degree in Professional Policing Practice from Staffordshire University.
  
  
• Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)
  This route is for someone who already holds a bachelor’s degree. The DHEP includes two years of operational training as well as studying for a level 6 Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice from Staffordshire University.
  
  
• Having a degree before applying
  If you choose this route, you will need to obtain a three-year degree in Professional Policing before applying to become a police officer which you would be expected to fund the degree costs yourself.

You can obtain a degree through the PCDA route while working as a police officer. Alternatively, you can study for a degree and then apply.

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship route commencing salary is currently £28,551 per annum.

The Degree Holder Entry Programme route salary is £28,551 per annum. Upon completing your first year, you will progress on to police officer pay scales (scale point 2).

As a police officer, you’ll be expected to work an average of 40 hours a week. You will initially work/study on a day shift basis for a minimum of 8 weeks and then move onto a shift pattern which will incorporate working nights, weekends and holiday periods.

For the PCDA scheme, you need Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.

Level 2 qualifications such as GCSEs in both English and Maths grade A-C or level 4-9 or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and/or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy/Literacy PLUS

Level 3 qualification such as A-level and National Diploma that equates to a minimum of 64 UCAS.

You can also apply if you are in the final year of your Level 3 qualification (assuming you have Level 2 qualifications) and be predicted to achieve a minimum of 64 UCAS points. Unfortunately if you do not achieve 64 points or above, we will have to decline your application.

For the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), you will need to have a Level 6 qualification, which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.

You can apply when you’re 17, but will need to be 18 upon appointment.

There is no age limit however it may affect their application to join the pension scheme.

Unfortunately, the role of a police officer is full time, which means that you are initially required to work and study at university. You will then move onto a shift pattern which will incorporate working nights, weekends and holiday periods which is on average, a 40 hour week.

Your probation period depends on your entry route in to policing. If you join through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) your probation will be for three years. If you join through the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), your probation will be for two years.

Yes. The places and people we require you to work with can be dangerous, therefore you will have to deal with and manage stressful situations that include dealing with confrontation. We will provide you with extensive training and support you so you feel fully equipped, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to handle these situations and keep you as safe as possible.

You’re not required to have a driving license to apply. You just need to be able to get to and from university, and the police station for your shifts which will vary in start and finish times.

All applications will be subject to university eligibility, an online assessment through College of Policing, medical assessment, biometric vetting check and a job related fitness test.

If you are successful in complete these stages, you will offered a position.

Yes, we welcome applications from outside the force area, however, please be aware that you will need to be prepared to work across all locations within Staffordshire.

You will have an opportunity during the recruitment process to specify where you’d prefer not to work, but new recruits will be stationed where there is an operational need and vacancies. You will only be posted within a 30-mile radius of your home address.

There are a number of unit’s that you can go on and specialise in such as dogs, firearms and investigations however you will have had to pass your training/probationary period before being eligible (which is two or three years depending on your chosen entry route).

You will have to wear full police uniform when you are out in operational policing. You will be given your uniform and all the relevant equipment when you start. You will be invited for a fitting before starting.

During your time at university, you can wear your own clothes.

We welcome applicants from all religions and alterations can be made to the uniform to accommodate some religious requirements – for example, it is possible to wear a hijab; or the helmet may be replaced with a Sikh turban. We also take into account the needs of individuals with regards to time off and bank/public holidays.

You are entitled to 22 days paid annual holiday, rising to 30 days a year depending on your length of service. This is on top of public holidays and an average of at least two rest days each working week. Should you be required to work on a bank holiday, you will receive the appropriate paid compensation. You will not be able to book any time off during the initial training course. As part of the learning schedule, you will have to leave programmed into your timetable and you will be required to take certain days off as holiday. You will be advised of the dates at the start of your appointment.

Our organisation has a number of family-friendly policies including Maternity, Paternity and Shared Parental Leave. All pregnant officers will have the right to continue working in a non-confrontational role as far into the pregnancy as they wish, assuming good health. You will not be required to carry out duties that put you or your unborn baby at any risk during pregnancy. You will continue on the programme until you commence your maternity leave, at which point the programme would be put on hold until you return back to work.

Yes, but if you have visible tattoos they must not be offensive and if you have facial piercings, they must be safe.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit details of your tattoos and may be asked to provide photos.