National Graduate Leadership Programme
Police graduate scheme: Be the change you want to see
Do you think differently? Can you work with others to create new solutions to long term societal problems? Can you bring communities together? Do you want a meaningful career that improves the lives of those around you?
Neighbourhood policing makes a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable people and communities across England and Wales.
Positive, relatable and diverse, neighbourhood police officers raise the quality of life for those most affected by crime and increase the public’s confidence in policing.
Neighbourhood officers are the face of their communities. Committed to change, you make decisions that have real, lasting impact in communities and in the police service.
Make a positive impact on society by improving the lives of the most vulnerable and develop leadership skills for life.
You could be eligible to apply for our National Graduate Leadership Programme if you can answer yes to the following:
- Do you have an undergraduate degree of at least a 2:1?
- Do you hold a Level 3 qualification (i.e. an A Level or equivalent)
- Are you over 17 years old?
- Are you a British Citizen or do you have indefinite leave to remain?
- Have you been a resident of the UK in the past three years?
- Are you new to Policing?
Latia Suen | Neighbourhood police officer
Become a leader
Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme is a salaried, two-year programme to train graduates to become leaders in neighbourhood policing.
This is a unique opportunity to make a real and immediate impact while developing transferable leadership skills for life.
Placed in communities challenged by crime, you’ll develop innovative ideas to tackle the most complex issues facing the most vulnerable in society.
Become a leader
Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme is a salaried, two-year programme to train graduates to become leaders in neighbourhood policing.
This is a unique opportunity to make a real and immediate impact while developing transferable leadership skills for life.
Placed in communities challenged by crime, you’ll develop innovative ideas to tackle the most complex issues facing the most vulnerable in society.
Latia Suen | Neighbourhood police officer
Neighbourhood policing is a career to be proud of
Neighbourhood police officers are the face of our communities. Diligent, hardworking and committed to change, you make decisions that have a real and lasting positive impact. As a reliable presence in the neighbourhood you serve, you’ll investigate and understand the complex issues facing the most vulnerable in society and work within the community to develop innovative ideas and techniques to tackle the challenges they face.
Demanding but rewarding, we’re proud that 80% of our participants remain in policing after our programme, but whatever you decide, the skills and experience you develop with us are yours for life. Your future in the public or private sector starts with Police Now.
With the support of the Police Now training and support team:
- You'll be there - developing negotiation skills, problem solving
- You'll be visible - becoming a community leader
- You'll be reliable - making difficult decisions, brokering resolution
- You'll be proud - a leading, resilient neighbourhood police officer
James Pullen | Neighbourhood police officer
As a neighbourhood police officer, it’s your job to build a relationship with your community.
You’ll work with those around you to identify problems and devise new ways to tackle these problems by involving everyone in your community. If you know how to prioritise, manage, investigate and go the extra mile, a neighbourhood policing role is for you.
As a neighbourhood police officer, it’s your job to build a relationship with your community.
You’ll work with those around you to identify problems and devise new ways to tackle the issues faced by involving everyone in your community. If you know how to prioritise, manage, investigate and go the extra mile, a neighbourhood policing role is for you.
James Pullen | Neighbourhood police officer
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 neighbourhood police officers?
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.
A unique chance to explore many different areas of policing
A role with career progression and responsibility from day one
Not your usual desk job, but a proactive role helping communities
A structured programme focused on leadership development skills
It's a good feeling to have the support network
Being a Police Now graduate allows you to fight for change
Continuous leadership skills development
Have an impact from day one.
Police Now partner with more than 30 police forces across England and Wales to address the shortage in neighbourhood policing with determined and ambitious graduates and graduate career changers who have the potential to become the next generation of leaders on the policing frontline.
The National Graduate Leadership Programme is a competitively salaried, two-year graduate training programme. Innovative and bespoke, our programme meets the College of Policing’s National Standards.
We've collaborated with the University of Huddersfield to help our participants receive a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. Our programme curriculum will be underpinned by the new Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
Once you successfully complete our recruitment process, you will take part in the following programme activities.
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
Do you have what it takes to transform communities?
Working as a neighbourhood police officer is a demanding but rewarding job.
If you’re a university finalist or graduate with an appetite to make a real difference, explore what’s needed to be successful in this role.
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 over 17 years old 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 cannot have previously attested and served as a police officer. You also cannot apply if you are currently applying to join policing for any police constable role by any other route other than Police Now.
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
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 diverse police service for everyone, in every community. Together, we can transform communities across England and Wales.
Sami Halepota | Neighbourhood police officer
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.
Our programme offers more than a job, it’s a career package. Find out what you can expect in return to support your life and your role on one of Police Now’s national graduate programmes.
Ready to begin your journey? We’re here to support you. Find out how to start your application to our award-winning National Graduate Leadership Programme.
Our national graduate programmes
Over five years, we’ve partnered with over 30 police forces across England and Wales to provide career opportunities nationwide. And, as we continue to grow, we are striving to bring our programmes to more forces.
Applications are now open for our National Detective Programme. You can apply to join one of our partner forces:
- Avon and Somerset Police
- Bedfordshire Police
- Devon and Cornwall Police
- Greater Manchester Police
- Gwent Police
- Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police
- Hertfordshire Constabulary
- Humberside Police
- South Yorkshire Police
- Staffordshire Police
- Thames Valley Police
- West Mercia Police
- West Midlands Police
Help and useful links
FAQs
Do you have questions about applying? From choosing a programme to checking your eligibility.
TALK TO OUR TEAM
Our recruitment team are here to advise and support you during the application process.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Join our mailing list to keep updated on career opportunities, Police Now insights and news.
HOW TO APPLY
Access top tips and guidance on the application process for our national graduate programmes.
