What you could be doing | Police Officers
This is the start of an exciting and rewarding journey that could take you anywhere
Being a police officer
Join Derbyshire Constabulary and you could soon be helping to protect a population of over a million people and serving alongside over 3,800 colleagues across the county. You’ll also work with the most innovative technology around as you do your bit to help 'Make Derbyshire Safer Together'.
Being a police officer will give you some of the proudest days of your life, whether you're protecting the vulnerable, saving lives or simply making the community where you work feel safe. It’s exciting, demanding and vitally important work.
Not only will you be representing the diverse communities we serve, you’ll be part of one big inclusive family where you’ll make a difference, every day.
Serving alongside ...
Your route to becoming a police officer
Police Constable Degree Holder Entry Programme
Starting salary: £26,679
If you have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) or in your final year of study in any subject area, this could be your route to a fulfilling future career as a police officer.
Find out morePolice Constable Degree Apprenticeship
Starting salary: £23,556
If you have a level 2 qualification grade C/4 or above in (Maths/English) and a level 3 or two A levels this is an exciting opportunity.
We look for ambitious individuals to become paid police officers while also gaining a BA Honours degree in Professional Policing.
Find out moreDetective Constable Degree Holder Entry Programme
Expected salary £26,679
To qualify for the Detective DHEP, you must have a bachelor’s degree or be in your last year of study in Criminology, Law, Social Work, Psychology or related subjects.
Or you are PIP2 qualified or working towards accreditation by end of April 2023 and already hold a bachelor’s degree (level 6) in any subject.
Find out moreDetective Constable Degree Holder Entry Programme
Do you have a keen eye for detail?
Are you prepared to challenge assumptions and not take information at face value?
As a police detective, the most serious crimes land on your desk. You’re the key role responsible for bringing justice to victims impacted by crime. You need the resilience to overcome obstacles, the clarity to never take things at face value, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life and gain their trust.
Each case is unique, and often relies upon the quality of the evidence, the emotional state of the victims, your ability to persuade and influence, and persevere right up until the end. Cases can be a lengthy process, and you’ll learn to maintain relationships and deal with setbacks caused by failures.
Transfer to us
Bring your skills to Derbyshire
This is an exciting time to be working for us. Policing in Derbyshire is a challenge like no other, and will bring new opportunities for even the most experienced officer. Expand your skills and build an exceptional career here with us, set against the backdrop of working in one of England's most exciting counties.
The size, diversity and importance of our organisation means that we have a huge range of potential career paths, spanning different areas of policing and specialisms. Working with you to understand your skill-set we will post you based on your needs and ours.
Find out about our transferee opportunities
Transfer to us
The recruitment process
Our selection process is simple – you're already an experienced officer and that speaks volumes! Once you've submitted your application form, we'll review this to understand your expertise and experience to match you to a role. As part of this we'll check you meet our eligibility criteria – if you're a current serving officer who is meeting the day-to-day requirements of their role, you'll likely have no issue here.
We'll review your situation when you apply and guide you through anything you need to do and through our pre-employment process. If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend our HQ in Ripley for an assessment. This may include an interview and a presentation. We will provide you with full details prior to your attendance.
Transfer to us
How you'll be trained
We arrange an induction for you, so you can get to know us. We'll arrange any relevant training courses for you to help you settle into your new position. You will likely notice a change in pace and demand through your training, but you will be able to call upon your own experience and the support of others around you through this period. There will be highly experienced and skilled officers around you who will always be there to help or assist.
Beyond your initial training, we aim to support the continuous professional development of our officers. There is a wide range of development prospects at Derbyshire Constabulary, whether promotional or a lateral move. Upon transferring to us, you can be confident you’ll be working with a professional team of people. We are committed to working together to ensure we deliver on our promises of making our diverse communities safer.
Transfer to us
Entry Requirements
In order to transfer to us, you will need to:
- be serving (or have served) with a Home Office force. Officers from non-Home Office forces will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Officers wishing to transfer must have completed their probationary period and currently employed at a national force.
- officers wishing to transfer must have completed their probationary period and currently employed at a national force.
- have no outstanding disciplinary or integrity issues.
- have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to submitting your application
- hold a full manual driving licence.
What may hold you back?
You cannot apply to become a police officer with us if you:
- Have had an application turned down by a police force in the last three months at any stage of the national process. The national process includes Online Assessment, fitness test and pre-employment checks.
- Have been or are a member of a group or extreme political organisation such as BNP, National Front or Combat 18 that stirs up racial hatred and violence, a proscribed terrorist organisation/group or a similar organisation.
- Are waiting to appear in court or have any serious convictions or recent cautions, bind-overs or findings of guilt.
- Misuse drugs, solvents or anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits.
- Have tattoos on your face, neck or hands that could cause offence. If you have a tattoo, you’ll be asked to provide a description and photographs of the tattoo. The nature, location, size, prominence and appearance of tattoos will be considered. They must be in line with the College of Policing’s Code of Ethics and Standards of professional behaviour
- Have any current County Court Judgements (CCJs) against you, or are the subject of an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA). If you’ve been registered bankrupt, you may only apply if it is at least three years since the date your debts were discharged.
What you could experience as a police officer
Life as a police officer is hugely varied. From community initiatives and minor offence calls, through to major incidents or immediate response calls. When we say no two days are the same, we really mean it. Here's an insight as to what you could expect on shift:
Is the role for you?
While being a police officer is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, it’s also hugely varied and incredibly rewarding. Of course, it’s vital that you’re the right person for the job. This tool will help you to explore your suitability and make a reasonably informed decision about whether or not to apply.
Please note, this tool is a guide, not a definitive statement about your suitability.
Investing in your development
A respected career
As with any diverse workplace, we’ll train you to be a first-class police officer. Joining Derbyshire Constabulary as a new police constable is the start of an exciting and rewarding journey that could take you anywhere. You’ll be learning on the job from experienced colleagues and putting your training into practice - dealing with everything from robbery, burglary to missing people and domestic incidents.
You will be introduced to the community in which you will work. In addition to legislation you will learn about local police operational delivery and how you can make an impact on community concerns and problems.
Investing in your development
Developing your skills
This will be supported by training from our in-house team who will introduce you to the police service and will focus on attitudes, behaviours, ethics and values. It will provide you with the necessary understanding of how to conduct safe interactions with members of our communities.
You will be taught first aid, officer safety and given health and safety training. You will also learn about professional standards, race and diversity, basic technology applications and social/community issues. You will be introduced to topics such as crime, traffic, investigative skills, fraud and powers of arrest.
Investing in your development
Beyond being a constable
After completing your probationary period and becoming a police constable, we offer a range of training and continuing professional development opportunities to help make the most of your skills.
Be a force people leader and help shape and inspire a team or build upon your experience and move into a variety of specialist roles, each with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. The availability of these roles will depend on which departments have vacancies - whether it’s dog handling, firearms, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), there are hundreds of potential career opportunities. To find out more, please visit our department pages.
Meet some of the team
Stefan Bancroft, Police Constable
I always wanted to be a police officer. My grandfather was also a part of Derbyshire Constabulary, so joining felt right. I’m part of the newly formed Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. The Constabulary funds the degree, so there’s no student loan to worry about. What’s more, the extra input I receive from the trainers means I regularly get opportunities to further develop professionally.
There’s a really supportive structure in place too. It feels like an extended family. I’ve not been here long so the whole environment is fresh and new, but I’m constantly presented with an array of new challenges and jobs.
Meet some of the team
Jason Potts, Police Constable – Roads Policing Unit
I joined the force back in 1992 as a Response Car Driver. During my time in that role I helped save someone’s life. It remains one of my proudest moments. I’ve been in my current job for over 20 years, but I’m still as enthusiastic and inspired to do my best as I’ve ever been.
I’ve investigated many fatal collisions and serious offences. A lot of cases have challenged me professionally and moved me on a personal level. It can be a difficult and frustrating job at times, but working with like-minded people and producing positive results makes it all worthwhile. The people who work here are a credit to the force.
Meet some of the team
Dai Holmes, Response Officer in Nottinghamshire
See what Dai has to say in conversation with the College of Policing when discussing his life as a response officer in Nottinghamshire.
We celebrate diversity
Our community is incredibly diverse, so we should be, too. That’s why we’re working hard to build an inclusive workforce, where you can be yourself. Whoever you are. Wherever you’re from. We are currently under-represented in a number of areas and recognise that this message needs to reach talented individuals who can add diverse skills and experiences to our organisation.
If you are black or from an ethnic minority, or if you identify as LGBT+, or have a disability, or if you are female and would like to hear more about becoming a police officer and the support we can offer you please contact us.
