Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP)

Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP)

Join to apply for the Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) role at Surrey and Sussex Police

Overview

As a Detective Constable, you can change your life and the lives of others. This is an intensive course with commitment and dedication to serving the public and meeting the programme\’s demands. In return, we offer a good starting salary, supportive environment, great training experiences, opportunities for progression and, upon successful completion of your learning, a graduate diploma in professional policing practice. You will be paid a full-time salary of £31,164, plus £2,000 South East Allowance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations across areas such as cyber-crime, domestic abuse, child protection, homicide, high-level drugs importation and serious organised crime.
• Analyse evidence, interview suspects, take cases to court and seek justice for victims.
• Build trusting relationships with the public; demonstrate tenacity and emotional resilience; deliver justice for victims.

Eligibility & Qualifications

• To apply you must be aged 18 or over to start in post; 17+ to submit application.
• UK residency: 5 continuous years prior to application; leave to enter/leave to remain.
• Current full UK manual driving licence by appointment.
• Not a member of BNP or proscribed terrorist organisations; no offensive tattoos; no serious motoring offences; not 6+ points on licence.
• GCSE English at A*-C/9-4 or equivalent; minimum Level 2; Level 3 qualifications or above may meet 48 UCAS tariff points; Level 3 form attached.
• Predicted grades allowed for final year applicants; provide proof on results in August/September.

Other requirements

• Possession of Level 3 qualification criteria: suitable service routes (Special Constable, PCSO, Investigating Officers, etc.) or minimum 2 years armed forces or equivalent with exemplary references.
• If not meeting Level 3 criteria, work experience can be assessed against Level 3 framework; complete Level 3 form and submit.

Application Process

• Stage 1: Application Form and Eligibility Checks
• Stage 2: National Sift – Behavioural Style Questionnaire and Situational Judgement Test
• Stage 3: National Assessment Centre – Written briefing and competency-based interview
• Stage 4: In Force Detective Assessment and Competency Based Interview
• Stage 5: Pre-employment checks (references, vetting, medical, biometric vetting, substance misuse testing, fitness testing)

We anticipate starting dates from September 2026 onwards; start date not guaranteed. During the first 16 weeks of training, annual leave is not available.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to diversity, open recruitment, and anti-racist practices. We are proud of our diversity initiatives and equality statements; more information is available in our anti-racism statement and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages for Surrey and Sussex Police.