Neighbourhood
For every home, street corner, park bench.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in the place they live. Become a neighbourhood police officer.
Kickstart your career
Applications open in
Applications for our 2026 National Graduate Programme are now open!
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.
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.
Neighbourhood officers recruited by Police Now.
had not considered neighbourhood policing before discovering Police Now.
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.
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.
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.
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*
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
*Dependent on force
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.
Career progression
Making an impact in communities
What to expect on our programme
Programme details may evolve, as we review and refine each cohort to stay innovative and impactful.
Secondments
Times Top 100
We are recognised in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers directory at 33rd place and are the only ranking policing organisation.
Each year final year students at universities across the UK are interviewed, to establish the leading employers recruiting graduates. They are asked for open responses to the question: ‘Which organisation do you think offers the best opportunities for graduates?’
