Have a positive impact on society,
become a detective

National Detective Programme

Become a police detective: police detective jobs

Do you notice? Are you a problem solver? Someone who can communicate with anyone? Can you gain the trust of those around you?

Do you have the resilience to see your problem solving through to conclusion in the face of serious and complex crimes?

Choosing to be a detective is a serious career choice. Detectives are focused, work well under pressure and respond quickly to new information with a determined, positive attitude.

A career as a detective offers a competitive starting salary and benefits package compared to other graduate career choices, alongside long-term career development.

You also get a unique chance to have an immediate and positive impact on the most vulnerable people in society.

Join one of our partner police forces as a trainee detective through Police Now’s National Detective Programme.

Police Now Leadership Principles

The Police Now Leadership Principles steer the way in which work is done to achieve our mission.

Tary Kufa | Trainee Detective Constable

Are you ready for change?

Are you searching for a career that makes a real and tangible impact on the world around you? If you’ve got the qualities needed to become a police detective, our programme can support you to bring your skills and experiences into solving some of society’s most challenging problems.

You may have never considered a career in the police before, and you will no doubt have a number of questions related to making this change. Are you right for the police? What’s does the role look like day to day? What will your work life balance be? How does the programme work?

Our detectives come from all walks of life; we are interested in your aptitude and life experience. Your experiences have provided you with key skills which can be transferred into your new role.

From the very beginning, you’ll be helping reduce crime, making life safer and happier for those who are vulnerable in society.

Are you ready for change?

Are you searching for a career that makes a real and tangible impact on the world around you? If you’ve got the qualities needed to become a police detective, our programme can support you to bring your skills and experiences into solving some of society’s most challenging problems.

You may have never considered a career in the police before, and you will no doubt have a number of questions related to making this change. Are you right for the police? What’s does the role look like day to day? What will your work life balance be? How does the programme work?

Our detectives come from all walks of life; we are interested in your aptitude and life experience. Your experiences have provided you with key skills which can be transferred into your new role.

From the very beginning, you’ll be helping reduce crime, making life safer and happier for those who are vulnerable in society.

Tary Kufa | Trainee Detective Constable

Join us. Change the story.

Learn to lead with conviction, right from the start. Our unique and innovative leadership training is led by police detectives with years of experience solving crimes across the UK. You’ll gain the professional and personal skills you need to make an impact on society from the start. Our National Detective Programme is designed to build your resilience and communication skills whilst developing your innate curiosity.

Throughout our two-year National Detective Programme, we will support and enable you to make a huge impact on the lives of people impacted by crime. You’ll have your own professional coaches located in your force who’ll support you to develop your career alongside help and guidance throughout the qualification process.

In addition, you’ll have access to a range of people and communities inside of the Police Now network to share your experiences and ideas to make a real difference in communities across England and Wales. We also encourage all of our graduates to work on projects which can make a real impact within society and within policing.

0 %

of Police Now participants remain in policing after the programme

With the support of the Police Now training and support team, you will:

Larry Brown | Trainee Police Detective

The role of a police detective

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.

The role of a police detective

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.

Larry Brown | Trainee Detective Constable

You’re a graduate and you want to make a positive impact

Want to understand the day-to-day role?

Curious about the kind of people who decide to become police detectives?

Police Now supports graduates from diverse backgrounds to be a success on the programme.

Listen to some of our participants as they share their story.

Why Police Now's mission is so important

Larry Brown | Trainee Detective Constable

Why I became a police detective

Tary Kufa | Trainee Detective Constable

Police Now is very diverse

Chris Fanibe | Trainee Detective Constable

How does the programme work?

Gain the skills needed for modern investigative work.

Laying the foundations for a successful long-term detective career, the National Detective Programme will provide you with the platform needed to contribute as a team member on the force from day one.

Participants on the programme are required to pass the National Investigators’ Exam (NIE) in the first six months of the programme and achieve full Professionalising Investigation Programme Stage 2 (PIP2) accreditation by programme completion. Throughout the two-year programme, participants will have the opportunity to evidence what they and their colleagues have achieved on behalf of communities and victims at Impact Events.

They will receive continued professional development through ongoing skills sessions and be supported by a Police Now Performance Development Coach for the duration of the programme.

Programme timeline

Over two years you develop leadership and problem-solving skills, embodying all the attributes that you’ll need to succeed in the role. Our programme comprises the following elements:

Week 1 Pre-academy

Week 2 – 7 Academy

Week 8 In-force training week

Week 9 – 13 Immersion period

Week 14 – 104 In force

At the end of the two-year programme Graduation

Could this be you?

Do you notice the things that others miss?

Are you emotionally aware? Do you see things from other points of view? Can you quickly form meaningful relationships across diverse groups of people?

You’re a methodical and analytical problem solver. You have the ability to foresee risks and don’t jump to conclusions, but gather all the information before making a call.

Does this sounds like you? If so, you have the potential to become a detective.

Are you eligible to apply?

Before you apply, make sure you meet our eligibility criteria with our online guide.

Some of the key requirements you must meet include:

Age - You must be 17 years of age or older at the time of your application.
Residency - You’ll need to have resided in the UK continuously for the past three years.
Nationality - You can be of any nationality to apply, providing you have the status of indefinite leave to remain and work in the UK.
Academic qualifications - You must have, or be predicted to achieve, a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree from a university in the UK, or an equivalent from a non-UK university.
Previous policing experience - You can’t apply to Police Now if you are currently applying or have previously applied to join a police force through any other route than Police Now – this could be as a police constable, member of police staff, special constable, or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). You also cannot apply if you are currently, or have previously been, a police officer, member of police staff, special constable, or Police Community Support Office (PCSO).

Sami Halepota | Neighbourhood police officer

Diversity brings strength

Together we are stronger

We value you and your individuality. Your background, your experiences, and your insights are what make you unique. To build trust in communities, we need a more inclusive police service for everyone, in every community. Together, we can transform communities across England and Wales.

Diversity brings strength

Together we are stronger

Society is best served by a representative police force. By bringing your unique skills and experiences into policing, we can transform communities. We offer a range of support throughout our recruitment and training process to make sure you get everything you need to become a successful police detective.

Upile Mtitimila | Detective Sergeant

Supporting your success

What makes our graduate leadership scheme stand out from all the others?
Our participants all say it’s the individual support and development we will offer you throughout your journey.

From the moment you apply, you’ll receive continuous, bespoke and responsive support from people like you, who’ve shared your experiences and know what you need.

Salary, benefits and on the job support from Police Now

Our programme offers more than a job, it’s a career package. Find out what you can expect in return to support you on Police Now’s National Detective Programme.

How to apply to become a trainee police detective

Ready to begin your journey? We’re here to support you through the recruitment process. Find out how to start your application to our award-winning National Detective Programme.

Help and useful links

FAQs

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Have a positive impact on society,
become a detective

National Detective Programme

Become a police detective: police detective jobs

Police Now Leadership Principles

Are you ready for change?