What you could be doing | Police Officers | Degree in Professional Policing
Degree in Professional Policing
Degree in Professional Policing (DIPP) Route
There are several routes into the force. This particular one is for individuals who would prefer to study first before becoming a police officer. Our Degree in Professional Policing (DIPP) programme enables you to do a three year degree in professional policing at a participating university at your own expense.
This route is a professional academic knowledge-based degree, based upon the national curriculum for the police constable role. Your probation period will be two years and at the end you will be signed off as a fully competent Police Officer.
How do I apply?
Applications are currently closed. They are due to reopen in Autumn 2022.
Express your interest
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.
What do you need?
All applicants must be a UK Citizen, EU Citizen with EU Settled Status, a Commonwealth Citizen or Foreign National with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have lived here for the three years immediately preceding your application.
You must also be between 17 and 57 years old on the date of submitting your application.
- Police Constable DHEP you must have a minimum of a UK bachelor’s degree qualification (Level 6) or equivalent in any subject.
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Detective DHEP you must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in Criminology, Law, Social Work, Psychology or related subjects. Or are you PIP2 qualified or working towards accreditation by 30 April 2022 and already hold a bachelor’s degree (level 6) in any subject.
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PCDA you must hold a level 3 qualification or two A levels (or be in the final year of study) and a level 2 in Maths and English grade C/4 or above.
- Prejoin you must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Policing accredited by the College of Policing by the following universities or in your final year of study.
You must hold a full UK/EU valid manual driving licence at the start of pre-employment checks.
You’ll need to pass a Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT9) to check your fitness levels. This test determines whether you’re fit for the job and ready for Officer Safety Training, where you’ll learn to protect yourself and others. You’ll also be asked to take a running test (known as a multi-stage shuttle run or bleep test) to level 5:4.
Get yourself ready for the test with our useful guide.
You’ll need to undergo a medical assessment to make sure you’re healthy enough for the intense training. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Our Occupational Health Team will generally carry out the assessment. They’ll check:
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Eyesight
Colour vision
Lung function
Hearing
You’ll also be asked to complete a confidential medical history questionnaire. Depending on your medical history, we may have to contact your GP/specialist for further information. Once you have been declared medically fit, we’ll progress your application to the next stage.
You can check your Body Mass Index at www.nhs.uk or find out more about healthy eating at www.nhs.uk/change4life
You must declare any previous spent and unspent convictions and have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance. Applicants with cautions, convictions or reprimands, other than some motoring offences, may not be accepted.
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 we can offer you
PAY AND PENSIONS
As a new officer, you’ll receive an expected starting salary of around £24,777. Within seven years, and if you remain at the rank of police constable, you can expect £41,130.
All police officers and staff are able to join one of our pension schemes - and we’d highly recommend doing it. As a member of our police staff, you can join the Local Government Pension Scheme. It’s one of the largest public sector pension schemes in the UK, with 4.6 million members. You can also join a recognised national scheme provided by our chosen administrator. Both of these schemes offer final salary, plus other benefits such as life cover or ill health benefits.
ANNUAL LEAVE
We recognise the hard work and effort of all our staff by making sure they’re adequately rewarded with time off. As a police officer, you’ll receive 22 days’ holiday, rising to 30 days according to length of service. (This is in addition to public holidays.) We also provide a number of other forms of leave, including: maternity, paternity and adoption leave, special leave with and without pay, carers leave, parental leave and career breaks of up to five years.
FLEXIBLE WORKING
Nine-to-five isn’t for everyone. That’s why we encourage flexible working. Flexible working patterns that help you balance your working life with other commitments and interests you may have. While there’s normally a qualifying period, we’ll always look at each case individually and on its own merits. We’ll consider all requests and try to accommodate them provided they fit in with operational demands. In short, we strive to be a flexible employer, but we expect you to be flexible too. For example, you couldn't suddenly stop and go home in the middle of a suspect interview or while taking a victim statement just because your scheduled shift has ended.
When it comes to shifts, the good news is that you'll be advised of your shift pattern a year in advance. This allows you to plan your work-life balance accordingly. It’s all part of our commitment to providing a healthy working environment and improving the quality of life of everyone who works with us.
HEALTHCARE
You’ll be encouraged to join a contributory health scheme, and enjoy other benefits that include free eye tests and glasses, if you’re a regular computer user.
PERSONAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE
We believe in looking after our people - and their families - in every way that we can. As well as a range of comprehensive support initiatives to help with your personal welfare and that of your family, we offer occupational health and welfare counselling, from psychotherapy to financial guidance. We also run a number of development and mentoring schemes. And, as, as a member of the Police Federation and staff associations, you can be confident that the support and representation you need, should you need is, is there for you.
SPORTS AND SOCIAL
Our active Derbyshire Constabulary Sports Club is a hive of social and sporting activities. Indeed, there's always something new to try. Whether you enjoy playing in a team, are keenly competitive or simply looking for some satisfying sport at your own level, you can choose between tournaments and team games in sports that range from rugby to snooker.
As a Sports Club member, you’ll enjoy full exclusive access to our fitness suites too, while 'Days Out' corporate tickets are also available, allowing access for you and your family into places such as Chatsworth, Twycross Zoo, White Post Farm, and many more. You can join the sports club for £5 per month. Membership’s open to police officers and police staff, both serving and retired, as well as serving members of the Special Constabulary. It's easy to join, with direct payment from salary. And, membership allows you to bring your family along with you too.
CAREER PROGRESSION
On completing probation the following is available:
- Police & Detective Constable - starting rank.
- Sergeant - are responsible for a team of constables
- Inspector - typically oversee a shift of constables/sergeants
- Chief Inspector - manage a department with a specific geographical area
- Superintendent – oversee a large department such as Specialist Ops
- Chief Superintendent - responsible for a specific function such as Crime & Intelligence
- Assistant Chief Constable - responsible for a business area such as Crime and Operations
- Deputy Chief Constable - act as deputy and support for the Chief Constable
- Chief Constable - responsible for the effective running of Derbyshire Constabulary
As a police constable, you’ll be able to apply for specialist units. To find out more visit the College of Policing career pathways portal.
The recruitment process
At the end of each stage of the recruitment process, you’ll be notified by email whether or not you’ve been successful and are therefore eligible to proceed to the next stage. You can also log in to view your application status. If you haven’t received an email, remember to check your junk mail/filter settings in case our emails are have ended up there.
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.
Paths into policing
We welcome new Police Constables and Detective Constables to our teams in a variety of ways. You don’t have to have a degree, and even if you do, we can offer great opportunities for development.
