What should you expect at the digital assessment centre?

Our assessment centre gives you an insight into the role of a Trainee Detective Constable on our National Detective Programme. It’s also a great opportunity for us to get to know you. Our best advice is to be yourself and enjoy the day. We are really looking forward to meeting you.

The day is split into four assessed exercises that can take place in any order. We use a strengths-based selection process, through which we’ll be looking for evidence of the Police Now competencies. You will be assessed by different people in each exercise so that you meet a variety of assessors to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the day.

Due to the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 and current Government and College of Policing guidelines, we are going to be conducting our assessment centres for the National Detective Programme digitally. These will be now be hosted via the online video conferencing software, Zoom. The tasks will contain the same content as face-to-face assessment centres, and you will be scored against the same framework and criteria.

Supporting you during the Coronavirus pandemic

Our assessment centres are still going ahead, however we are now delivering the assessments as digital sessions during this time of restricted movement. We want to assure you that everything is being done to bring you a great alternative to face-to-face assessment and we have already received positive feedback from candidates who have been assessed in this way. Your Recruitment Officer is here to help guide you through the process to prepare and support you ahead of your assessment centre. We want to make sure that you are able to comfortably complete the various tasks and so have included some different sections that will take you through how our new digital assessment centres will run.

Assessment centre format

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Hints and tips

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Further information and assistance

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Police Now digital assessment centre – what do we expect from you as a candidate?

There is no expectation for candidates to dress formally. We recognise that due to the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 many of you may not have access to your usual circumstances right now. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable to do your best on the day.

We also recognise that most of you will be joining our digital assessment centre from your home. Therefore, some of you may have young children, housemates or pets that may disturb you or appear behind you on camera. Please be reassured that all our assessors are aware of this challenge you may face, and you will not be penalised if any of these situations occur. Your assessor will be in control of the progression of your assessment and may be able to allocate extra time if a considerable interruption occurs.

We also recognise that most of you will be joining our digital assessment centre from your home. Therefore, some of you may have young children, housemates or pets that may disturb you or appear behind you on camera. Please be reassured that all our assessors are aware of this challenge you may face, and you will not be penalised if any of these situations occur. Your assessor will be in control of the progression of your assessment and may be able to allocate extra time if a considerable interruption occurs.

You will be provided with all the materials required to complete your assessments. Integrity is an essential part of the role of a Trainee Detective Constable and we ask that you do not access any other materials or use any other websites than the ones stipulated by your assessor.

The assessment centre can take up to four hours to complete, therefore, despite there being some natural breaks we recommend candidate have access to water/refreshments to stay hydrated.

Information centres

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FAQs

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GENERAL ENQUIRIES

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RECRUITMENT TEAM

If you’re looking to apply or have already applied and have any queries, please get in touch with our recruitment team.

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Devon & Cornwall Police

Police Now | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
cc-shaun-sawyer

Shaun Sawyer

Chief Constable

National Graduate Leadership Programme

National Detective Programme

Case studies:

Visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk