Become a Neighbourhood police officer

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.

You'll be there

Visible, reliable, proud

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?
CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

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. 

0 %
of Police Now participants remain in policing after the programme

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

The role of a 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.

What is the role like?

The role of a 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 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.

What is the role like?

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

Latia Suen | Neighbourhood police officer

A role with career progression and responsibility from day one

Emma Adams | Neighbourhood police officer

Not your usual desk job, but a proactive role helping communities

James Pullen | Neighbourhood police officer

A structured programme focused on leadership development skills

Anokhi Chouhan | Neighborhood police officer

It's a good feeling to have the support network

Jacob Reeves | Neighborhood police officer

Being a Police Now graduate allows you to fight for change

Rose Osborne | Neighbourhood police officer

Continuous leadership skills development

Sami Halepota | Neighbourhood police officer

MEET OUR PARTICIPANTS

How does the programme work?

Have an impact from day one.

Police Now has partnered 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.

Your training on our programme is underpinned by the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), and you will be on a Degree Holder Programme (DHEP) entry route into policing. We are in the process of partnering with Liverpool John Moores University to deliver our Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice, where you'll be taught fundamental skills that underpin policing, allowing you to make an impact in your community.

Once you successfully complete our recruitment process, you will take part in the following programme activities.

More about 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:

FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS

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

Emma Adams | Neighbourhood police officer
Emma Adams | Neighbourhood police officer

Could this be you?

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.

ARE YOU SUITED FOR THE ROLE?

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 obtained or be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2.1 degree (or equivalent) by the time you begin the programme.
  • 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.
Check my eligibility

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

Police Now community
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.

Meet us

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 your life and your role on one of Police Now’s national graduate programmes.

Salary & BENEFITS

How to apply to be a neighbourhood police officer

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.

How to apply

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 Graduate Leadership Programme.

APPLY NOW
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Help and useful links

FAQs

For more information about our national graduate programmes or Police Now.

FAQs
TALK TO OUR TEAM

We are dedicated to supporting you during the recruitment process and your career.

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REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Interested in applying to one of our national graduate programmes that is not currently open?

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HOW TO APPLY

Ready to start your career with one of our national graduate programmes? Find out how.

HOW TO APPLY

Devon & Cornwall Police

Police Now | Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
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Shaun Sawyer

Chief Constable

National Graduate Leadership Programme

Cohorts: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
No. of police officers enrolled: — — — 8 — —

National Detective Programme

Cohorts: —— —— —— —— 2019 2020
No. of police officers enrolled: — — — — — —

Case studies:

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