Job description
Start your career as a neighbourhood police officer via Police Now’s National Graduate Programme.
Kickstart your career
Applications open in
Applications for our 2026 National Graduate Programme are now open!
Job title: Police Constable
Starting salary: £29,907
Contract: Permanent
Locations: Avon and Somerset, Dyfed-Powys, Humberside, Merseyside, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, West Midlands
Programme length: Two years
Programme start: March 2026
The role
On our National Graduate Programme, you’ll train to become a neighbourhood police officer and be at the forefront of creating safer communities, working proactively to address long-term issues and enhance the quality of life for the residents in the communities you serve.
You’ll work as part of a neighbourhood policing team, spending two years embedded within a community. During this time, you will focus on identifying threats, harm and risk and tackling local issues and complex challenges.
Being a police officer is demanding and intense, but incredibly rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to truly make a difference to the communities you serve and have a lasting impact on individuals’ lives. While there will be challenging moments and new practices, to get used to, you’ll be supported by a wide network to guide you along the way.
Our programme gives you the opportunity to make our society better by developing skills to become a future leader in society and on the policing frontline.
Your salary is paid from day one when you start our training academy. During the programme, you will have full ownership and responsibility for bringing about positive change. There is no greater feeling than seeing the work you do impact someone’s life for the better.
Eligibility
- be over 17 years of age or older on application, (and 18 by the time of appointment)
- be a British citizen, a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and has settled status or leave to remain and work without restrictions
- hold a first, 2:1 or 2.2 in any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or equivalent from a non-UK university) and have completed all education by the programme start date (March 2026) . This includes part time or distance learning.
Training and Development
Career Progression
Rewards and benefits
Salary
Leave
Work-life balance
Pension
Financial services discounts
Application process
- Online application. This is where you’ll provide your personal details, so we can see if you meet our eligibility requirements. It’s also a chance for you to make us aware of any adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
- Immersive assessment. If you are eligible for the programme, you’ll be invited to complete an immersive assessment where you will experience a number of scenarios which will bring the role of a neighbourhood police officer to life.
- Assessment centre. If you pass the immersive assessment, you’ll be invited to a digital assessment centre and offered dates to choose from. This is a chance for you to demonstrate your motivations for joining the programme and gain further insight into the role.
- Conditional offer. If successful at assessment centre, you’ll receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer. They will be there throughout your onboarding journey and assist you with your pre-employment checks which include a fitness test, medical assessment, referencing and vetting. Your final offer will be dependent on you passing all these checks.
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.
What to expect on our programme
Programme details may evolve, as we review and refine each cohort to stay innovative and impactful.
