By joining the police through one of our national graduate programmes, you’ll make a positive impact on society and improve the lives of those around you.
Find out what it’s like to join the police from our programme participants.
The impact that Police Now participants, alumni and partners have is at the core of everything we do…
Explore your life on the job as a police officer, your experiences on our national programmes, and the support and development you’ll receive along the way.
Police Now are dedicated to supporting you through the application and recruitment process, into the programme and throughout your career in the force
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Find out more about our national graduate programmes at our events.
Our recruitment processes have been specifically designed to get the best from all applicants so be yourself and enjoy getting even more insight into the role you’re interested in
Applications for our National Graduate Leadership Programme open Autumn 2021.
Applications for our National Detective Programme open soon.
We are not currently accepting applications. Register your interest to find out more about our programmes.
National Graduate Leadership Programme
We are not currently accepting applications for this programme. Register your interest to find out more about this programme.
National Detective Programme
If you have previously registered or applied you can check the status of your application by signing in to your application account. Sign-in to your account
If you have any questions about our programmes take a look at our FAQs.
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Need specific information about your application, or wish to know more about our programmes? Get in touch with our team.
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You’ll also get a whole host of Police Now benefits unique to our national graduate programmes.
Police officers receive a basic starting salary of £24,780.
You could also receive location allowances of up to £6,906 per annum. Within six years, the basic salary of a police constable can then rise to £40,000 plus allowances in line with Home Office guidelines.
This is on top of public holidays and an average of at least two rest days each working week. You can also expect other forms of leave including maternity, paternity and adoption leave and the option of taking a career break of up to five years.
However, it’s always the intention of the police service to try and take your individual religious and cultural needs into account so you can fit your work around your personal commitments.
When you start as a new police officer you’ll automatically be enrolled as a member of the Police Pension Scheme 2015, which is considered to be among the best around. This isn’t compulsory and you can opt out if you wish.
Some police forces offer the opportunity to join a contributory private healthcare scheme. You’ll also benefit from free eye tests and glasses if you regularly use a computer.
Many major high street shops, retail outlets and other national organisations also offer discounts and special deals to police officers. Most police forces also provide access to a number of subsidised leisure and sporting activities.
You’ll have access to support through the Police Federation and staff support associations, who are there to represent your needs. Each individual force also has their own team for occupational health and welfare and for those with caring responsibilities.
All our participants get one-to-one mentoring with a Police Now Performance Development Coach (PDC) who will support and coach you throughout your two years on the programme. Your PDC will work with you on a tailored Personal Development Plan (PDP) to encourage your growth throughout the two years. They provide guidance and advice on your project work, identifying your strengths, as well as areas where you can improve.
After you finish our programme the support doesn’t stop. We have an alumni team who will continue to support your professional and personal development. This includes expert support on promotion applications, skills development sessions and social events.
External secondments are a fantastic way to experience professional life outside the police service. You’ll learn new skills, gain valuable experience, work with external partners and contribute to our objective of bringing policing and society closer together.
Internal attachments to specialist departments give you a chance to experience other areas of policing. By developing your skills with new teams and facing new policing challenges, you can start to plan for life beyond the programme.
As part of the programme you will complete a bespoke Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice, which allows you to step back from the day-to-day and learn the theory to drive real change for the communities you will serve. Our graduate diploma is distinctive due to its positioning as an essential and core part of training and developing outstanding leaders in policing. Drawing on the latest elements and developments within the criminological landscape, top academic experts will deliver a nationally-recognised course. Your studies will give you the chance to learn and develop your skills and knowledge in a variety of ways utilising an expansive hub of resources that will challenge you in the most engaging way possible.
Some of the key requirements you must meet include:
For more information about our national graduate programmes or Police Now.
We are dedicated to supporting you during the recruitment process and your career.
Interested in applying to one of our national graduate programmes that is not currently open?
Ready to start your career with one of our national graduate programmes? Find out how.
Visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk