Job description
Discover what it means to uncover the truth as a detective.
National Graduate Programme - Detective
Starting salary: £31,164
Contract: Permanent
Programme duration: Two years
Programme start date: March 2027
Forces: Devon and Cornwall Police, Dorset Police, Lincolnshire Police, North Wales Police
For every ambition. Every action. Every change.
If you’re ready to step into a role where your decisions make a real difference to people’s lives and the communities you serve, this is where your journey begins.
As a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer, our two-year programme is designed to train and develop graduates from any degree discipline who are committed to building public trust and confidence in policing, reducing crime, and creating a lasting positive change in communities.
You don’t need any prior policing knowledge or experience to join us. What matters most is that your motivations align with our mission and your drive to make a meaningful impact.
The role
Being a detective is about interpreting information, spotting what others miss, and tackling the crimes that cause the greatest harm. You’ll investigate complex cases such as serious violence, sexual offences, fraud, organised crime, and safeguarding offences, working to protect victims and deliver justice.
You’ll collaborate with others to solve challenging cases, adapt to changing circumstances, and act with professionalism and compassion. As a detective, your work will support victims, strengthen community trust, and help shape the future of policing for the better.
Why Police Now?
- Earn a starting salary of £31,164, paid from day one at your residential training academy.
- Complete rotations across different investigative teams, giving you broad exposure to areas such as safeguarding, serious and organised crime, and specialist investigations, while building a strong foundation of detective skills.
- Receive dedicated support from a Performance and Development Coach throughout the two years and guidance with promotion and career progression, beyond the programme.
- Gain access to a national peer network of over 3,700 officers across police forces in England and Wales.
Benefits
- Annual leave: Start with 22 days per year, plus public holidays, rising to 30 days with length of service.
- Work/life balance: Policing isn’t a typical 9–5. Varied shift patterns can offer flexibility and the freedom to make the most of your time outside work.
- Job security: Policing offers long-term stability with a permanent contract of employment.
- Pension: Automatic enrolment in the Police Pension Scheme, recognising and rewarding long-term service and dedication to the public.
Eligibility
To apply for this programme, you must:
- Be over 17 years of age or older on application, (and 18 by the time of appointment).
- Hold a First, 2:1 or 2.2 in any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or equivalent from a non-UK university) and have completed all education by the programme start date (March 2027). This includes part-time or distance learning.
- Hold UK Level 3 qualifications, equivalent to at least two A-Levels in any subject, or an international equivalent if you studied outside the UK.
- Be a British citizen or have settled or leave to remain and work in the UK without restrictions.
- Hold a Full UK Manual Driving Licence, except if you are applying to join a London police force.
Application process
- Online application
- Online immersive assessment
- Virtual assessment centre
If successful across these stages, you will receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer to assist with your onboarding and pre-employment checks. These include:
- A face-to-face Professionalism in Policing meeting, focused on values.
- A fitness test and medical assessment.
- Vetting.
Kickstart your career
Applications open for our 2026 National Graduate Programme
Applications close on 18 September 2025
Register your interest for our National Graduate Programme.
Applications will open soon for our July 2026 National Graduate Programme.
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Applications for our National Graduate Programme open in
Be the first to hear when we open for applications!
Deadline extended for our National Graduate Programme!
Submit your application by 5th September.
