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Neighbourhood

For every home, street corner, park bench.

Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they live. Become a neighbourhood police officer.

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About Neighbourhood Policing

Neighbourhood police officers are more than uniforms: they’re problem solvers, change-makers, and protectors at the heart of the community.

From tackling knife crime and violence against women and girls to preventing anti-social behaviour, this role is about finding solutions, building trust, and creating safer streets for everyone.

Job description

In this role, you'll:

  • Protect those who need it most: Be a visible and reassuring presence in communities, preventing crime before it happens.
  • Be there when no one else can help: Respond to incidents, de-escalate tensions, and support the vulnerable.
  • Build bridges. Solve problems. Strengthen communities. Work with local organisations, schools, and charities to tackle the root causes of crime.
  • Create community through service: Empower residents to take pride in their neighbourhoods, making them safer for everyone.
  • Pay attention to details: Whether it’s gathering intelligence or following up on concerns, your work will shape long-term solutions.
  • Grow relationships across teams and services: Collaborate with healthcare professionals, social services, and local authorities to safeguard the public.
  • Form powerful partnerships. Find real solutions: Work with agencies, community groups, and local services to tackle anti-social behaviour and gang activity through collaboration and shared expertise.
  • Lead by example: Inspire trust and confidence, ensuring that policing is fair, just, and representative of the community.
Read our brochure
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Neighbourhood officers recruited by Police Now.

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had not considered neighbourhood policing before discovering Police Now.

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average number of languages spoken in our cohorts.

For every neighbourhood

Every neighbourhood deserves to feel safe. 

For every street corner, every family, every moment that matters – neighbourhood policing is about leading change where it’s needed most. It’s a career that builds trust, prevents harm, and strengthens communities from within. Be the difference.

Neighbourhood policing

Every neighbourhood deserves to feel safe.

Neighbourhood policing is about leading change where it’s needed most. It’s a career that builds trust, prevents harm, and strengthens communities from within.

Be the difference.

Accessibility title here

Watch our Neighbourhood Specialism Video

Everyone deserves to feel safe

in the place they live.

You Already Have the Skills

to Make an Impact

Your experiences, whether from university, part-time jobs, volunteering, or team activities, have already shaped skills that could make you a great neighbourhood police officer. Bring them to a role where you’ll prevent crime, support communities, and build trust every day.

Resilience

Balancing coursework deadlines, part-time work, or competitive sports has built your ability to stay calm under pressure, a vital skill for navigating unpredictable policing situations.

Communication

From presenting in seminars to working in customer service, you’ve developed the ability to engage with people from all walks of life, build trust, and de-escalate conflict, all essential in frontline policing.

Problem-solving

Whether it’s analysing data for a research project, finding solutions in group work, or organising events, you’ve sharpened your critical thinking and decision-making skills, crucial for tackling anti-social behaviour and identifying crime patterns.

Empathy

Volunteering, mentoring, or supporting friends through challenges has strengthened your ability to understand diverse perspectives and offer meaningful support, key to working with vulnerable people in the community.

Analytical thinking

If you’ve worked with data, conducted research, or solved complex academic problems, you already have the ability to map crime hotspots, assess trends, and make evidence-based decisions for proactive policing.

Leadership

From captaining a sports team to leading a university society, you’ve taken responsibility and influenced outcomes, just as you will when making split-second decisions that shape public safety.

Teamwork

Group projects, internships, and extracurricular activities have taught you how to collaborate effectively, a crucial skill for working with colleagues, social services, and local organisations in policing.

Initiative

Taking on new challenges, starting your own projects, or finding solutions to everyday problems shows your ability to act decisively, take ownership, and think innovatively, exactly what’s needed as a neighbourhood police officer.

Is the programme right for you?

You’ve got the skills to change communities for the better.
Here’s more on what you’ll need to secure a place on our programme.

Are you eligible?

Do you meet the basic requirements? Check our full criteria before you apply.

  • Over 17 years of age
  • UK resident for at least 3 years*
  • Indefinite leave to remain or settled status*
  • 2:2 or above university degree
  • Full UK driving license*
Check full eligibility
What we look for

Do you have a unique set of skills useful in policing? Of course you do!

  • You take ownership
  • You’re emotionally aware
  • You collaborate
  • You support and inspire
  • You analyse critically
Your natural talents

*Dependent on force

What to expect on our programme

Programme details may evolve, as we review and refine each cohort to stay innovative and impactful.

A day in the life

No two days are the same on the neighbourhood specialism of Police Now’s National Graduate Programme. Explore how participants tackle challenges, lead change, and make an impact daily. 

A day in the life of a neighbourhood police participant during the training academy.

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Police Now graduate

A day in the life of a neighbourhood police officer tackling youth knife crime in schools.

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Police Now graduate

A day in the life of a neighbourhood police officer reducing crime and building community trust in their local town.

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Police Now graduate

Hear from our participants

"I like the idea that I'd come home every day feeling satisfied that I'd helped someone."

Georgia, Police Now graduate

"I was there to support them to be part of the community."

Sanjar, Police Now graduate

"A career in policing always appealed to me because I wanted to help people."

Tom, Police Now graduate

Making an impact in communities

“Part of Police Now’s message is having an impact from day one, and I think that’s really true”

Jacob, Police Now graduate

Watch Jacob talk about the impact he has had

“This project will help us better address the issues affecting the public together”

Tom, Police Now graduate

Watch Tom talk about the impact he has had

“I have been able to really embed myself in the community to problem-solve these long-term issues”

Caitlin, Police Now graduate

Read more about Caitlin's impact

External secondments

In the second year of the programme, you have the opportunity to take a four-week external secondment to gain experience in areas like policy, research, consultancy, government, or counterterrorism.

Find out some of our participants’ experiences on their secondments:

PC Ella Starbuck

Police Constable, Greater Manchester Police – Secondment at the Home Office

“I completed a four-week secondment in the Home Office, in the Governance and Secretariat team of the Crime Strategy and Performance Unit (CSPU).

I was fortunate enough attend a couple of face-to-face ministerial meetings, including one with the Minister for Crime and Policing. These meetings helped me develop my understanding of how high-level discussions and examination of data translates to frontline activity – which provided greater meaning to my role as a neighbourhood police officer.

During my secondment, I was able to write an Annual Grant Evaluation Report for a Voluntary Sector Crime Reduction Grant which resulted in the re-awarding of funding to a charity supporting law enforcement agencies.”

PC Anokhi Chouhan

Police Constable, Essex Police – Secondment at the Centre for Social Justice

“I took part in a four-week secondment at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a policy think tank in Westminster. I joined their Criminal Justice Unit (CJU) and assisted in researching for their current long-term project on the impact prison has on the family of prisoners.

I felt that the knowledge I had gained from my frontline policing role allowed me to add real value to the project, and I also found that the research tied directly in with my community policing role, as I researched the issues that ex-prisoners and their families face when an offender re-joins their community.

I feel that my own research skills were vastly improved through this experience. I will be bringing all these skills and contacts back to my role on the frontline.”

PC Andrew Grant

Police Constable, Thames Valley Police – Secondment at Edge NE

“I completed my secondment with Edge NE, an organisation of specialists in Serious Youth Violence, Child Criminal Exploitation including County Lines, and Mentoring for Young People. I initially applied for this opportunity with Edge NE because it tied in with some of the work I was doing within my team around knife crime, drug supply and youth offenders.

“During my time at Edge NE, I attended meetings with young people, partner agencies and key stakeholders. I picked the brains of the Edge NE team and drafted a report of findings to share with my supervisors on my return.

My time at Edge NE has better informed the way I manage youth interventions and I have since passed much of this learning on to my wider team.”

PC Ratcliffe

Police Constable, Surrey Police – Secondment at Counter Terrorism HQ

“Last year, I completed a secondment with the Thematic Team at Counter Terrorism HQ, which is based in London.

I was introduced to people from across different teams including Prevent, International Command, FIMU, Investigations and so many more. I even had a day at New Scotland Yard where I met with the Assistant Commissioner for a one-to-one conversation, which was a ‘pinch me, is this real’ sort of moment.

I was able to get involved with multiple projects which were being implemented at the time and take back learnings to my force. For example, I learnt about warning signs of people who may be being radicalised and have shared these with my colleagues on the frontline, which has deepened not only my own knowledge but that of the wider team.”

Kickstart your career

Applications open for our 2026 National Graduate Programme

Applications close on 18 September 2025

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Applications are now closed for our National Graduate Programme

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Deadline extended for our National Graduate Programme!

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Submit your application by 5th September.

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Applications for our 2026 National Graduate Programme are now open!

Get ready, get set, and join us. Change the story.
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A Day in the Life - Academy

Whole cohort briefing

The day begins with a briefing to outline the schedule and key objectives of the day.

Public order session

This session covers managing large-scale incidents such as protests. You’ll learn crowd control tactics, de-escalation strategies, and the legal powers available to maintain public safety while protecting individual rights.

Detention and custody session

The focus then shifts to the process of taking a suspect into custody. You’ll learn about detainee rights, the legal requirements for detention, and how to ensure the welfare of those in custody.

Arrest practice

In this hands-on session, you’ll practice arrest procedures in controlled scenarios. It is a great opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, ensuring arrests are carried out lawfully and safely.

Arrest statement practice

After the practical exercises, you’ll work on writing arrest statements based on the scenarios to refine the skills of accurately recording facts and details under pressure.

Syndicate time

Led by Syndicate Leads – seconded Sergeants and Inspectors from partner forces – this session is a chance to reflect on the day’s learning, where Syndicate Leads share real policing experiences related to the training.

A Day in the Life - Neighbourhood Policing

Arriving at the station

I start the day by putting on my uniform and check if there are any updates before I head out into the community.

School engagement

Once a week, I work in a complex secondary school, building relationships with young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. By being a visible and approachable presence, I gain their trust and provide support where needed.

Identifying root causes

A key focus of my current work is understanding the root cause of why young people carry knives. I spend time speaking with students during my visit at the secondary school about their experiences and concerns, particularly around knife crime.

Community outreach

I spend the afternoon connecting with local youth workers and community organisations to discuss ongoing concerns around knife crime. By sharing insights from my school engagement on a regular basis, we explore ways to support at-risk young people and intervene before they are involved in violence or exploitation.

Review

Back at the station, I review my notes and key conversations of the day and update any relevant reports; ensuring necessary follow-ups could be made to support vulnerable young people.

Meeting with my coach

To end the day, I meet online with my Performance and Development Coach (PDC) from Police Now to reflect on any recent incidents and discuss any challenges I face. This discussion provides valuable support and guidance for me.

A Day in the Life - Neighbourhood Policing

Arriving at the station

I start my day by reviewing my objectives and the progress made in previous operations, specifically on tackling ongoing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in my assigned community’s town centre.

Community town centre’s progress

I receive the news that my assigned community’s town centre was no longer on the ASB hot spot list for the first time ever. This is a major milestone, and it feels rewarding to know that the hard work from my night patrols has contributed to this achievement.

Monthly town centre meeting

I attend the monthly town centre meeting as the Police Single Point of Contact (SPOC). There, I collaborate with multiple agencies and discuss community concerns to see where I could make a positive impact in my community.

Patrolling in my community

In the afternoon, I begin patrolling my community in uniform. This is a brilliant opportunity for me to make connections and continue to engage with other community members to hear about any potential local issues.

Conflict resolution

During my patrol, I encounter an ongoing neighbour dispute that has been unresolved for weeks. I take the time to talk to both sides and really understand what was going on. By listening and helping them find common ground, I am able to resolve the issue.

Handover and paperwork

Before finishing my shift, I complete any outstanding paperwork and log the incidents I dealt with today during my patrol before ensuring all my equipment is properly secured for my next shift.

Tackling homelessness through neighbourhood policing

Within his first 90 days as a neighbourhood police officer, Jacob noticed a major issue no one had taken responsibility for: homelessness and rough sleeping in his local area. 

"I like to think I made a huge impact on their lives.” 

Jacob Reeves, Police Now graduate

When Jacob joined the police through Police Now, he never imagined that his first few months would lead to a community-wide transformation. “Part of Police Now’s message is having an impact from day one, and I think that’s really true,” he says. Within his first 90 days as a neighbourhood police officer, Jacob noticed a major issue no one had taken responsibility for: homelessness and rough sleeping in his local area. 

"Part of Police Now’s message is having an impact from day one."

With no strategy in place from the police, charities, or local council, Jacob brought stakeholders together to build a united approach. “I managed to work with them to put together a cohesive all-encompassing strategy to work around twenty homeless people,” he explains. His work focused on supporting each individual’s needs, connecting them with services and helping them take the first steps into stable accommodation. 

The results? Around 75% of those individuals were no longer rough sleeping by the end of the programme. “One in particular went to live in a self-sustaining commune, and others moved into interim or homelessness housing,” Jacob says. 

"In a neighbourhood role, you get that opportunity to poke your head up and see what's causing the problems that are taking up so much of our energy as an organisation, and solve them, or make an effort to solve them and make them better."

But it wasn’t just about housing. Many of those Jacob helped were also victims of crime or being driven to offend by their situation. “We weren’t just helping them, we were making the whole community safer.” Jacob credits Police Now with giving him the confidence and support to lead early on. “I like to think I made a huge impact on their lives specifically, and that impact spread beyond them.”

Youth-led change and rebuilding public confidence

For Tom, a neighbourhood police officer in Surrey, meaningful policing means listening,and acting, on what communities say they need. Through Police Now, he launched the Positive Futures Project to do exactly that. 

“By having communities tell us how to solve problems, we built trust.” 

Tom Burrows, Police Now graduate

Working with 12 young people from two secondary schools in Spelthorne, Tom asked them to identify the biggest issues affecting their local areas. Anti-social behaviour came up again and again. But this wasn’t a consultation, it was co-creation. The young people didn’t just name problems, they investigated the root causes and proposed real solutions. “They analysed why they thought it was happening, then proposed responses to mitigate the impact,” Tom explains.

 

He then brought those ideas to local stakeholders (including council members, youth workers and community organisations) who helped provide funding and resources to make the young people’s solutions a reality. The dual aims of the project? Tackle ASB and rebuild trust in policing.

“We were able to build engagement that helps address long-term issues today.” 

“For me, the second objective was the most important,” says Tom. “By having communities not just tell us what the problems were, but how to solve them, we were able to build engagement that helps address long-term issues today.”

Tom credits Police Now for giving him the tools and network to make this kind of project possible. “The programme connects you with other officers across the country, you share ideas, you see what’s working, and bring it back to your force. That’s what makes it different.”

Tom’s work earned him a 2023 Police Now Alumni Impact Award, a testament to how powerful listening can be.

"But for me, what made the Police Now programme stand out from other entry routes was the opportunities you get to mix and meet people from other police forces nationally." 

Dorset Police

Police Now | Dorset Police
Scott Chilton - Dorset Police Chief Constable

Scott Chilton

Chief Constable

National Graduate Leadership Programme

National Detective Programme

Visit the Dorset Police website www.dorset.police.uk