Police Constable Entry Programme in Dunstable

Starting salary - £31,164 (plus £1,500 South Eastern Allowance). This programme is guided as a Level 5 learning opportunity and written English is a key requirement for success with this route alongside assessments and assignments.

The Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) is a new entry route for joining the police which provides an excellent opportunity to be employed as a police officer from day one on a two-year training programme. This programme is focused on developing policing skills with key models and theories used routinely within a policing environment.

PCEP is a two-year learning programme with a 20-week initial phase of learning and four returning weeks in year two further developing your understanding about key topics such as leadership, inclusion, investigation skills and public protection. As an Officer, you will also attend Personal Safety Training and learn about a wide range of ICT systems.

Your knowledge and skills will be assessed throughout this period using a variety of techniques including exams, presentations, short essays and a full work-based occupational competency portfolio. Our training teams understand that you may not yet know very much about policing. No assumptions are made, and each student officer is offered coaching to achieve the requirements in a very tailored way.

We also have lots of experience if you need any workplace adjustments – everyone is screened for Dyslexia and given personal feedback as necessary. Out on patrol, you will be coached and mentored by trained tutor constables who will support you to achieve a “safe and lawful” standard of practice. Once you achieve Independent Patrol Status, you will be a fully deployable resource attending jobs by yourself. You will be welcomed, whatever your background, and supported throughout the programme by our friendly teams.

• GCSE in English Language at a minimum of grade C or 4 (or equivalent qualification, such as level 2 functional skills in English) certificates or statement of results to be given at the point of application.
• Applicants must hold a full UK manual driving licence at the time of application. This is a mandatory requirement for all Police Officers.

• A starting salary of £31,164 (plus £1,500 South Eastern Allowance), working full-time (40 hours per week).
• As a police constable, you’ll be eligible to receive annual increments up to a salary of £50,256.
• You’ll enjoy the advantages of a contributory pension scheme, which offers generous benefits based on average earnings.
• You’ll start with 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days, dependent on your length of service.

Your training will begin with a 20-week initial learning phase, attending one of our training centres in Dunstable. You will learn a wide range of policing skills including Personal Safety Training, emergency life support, safeguarding, crime investigation, operational policing skills, and there are a wide range of ICT systems to learn about.

You will then move to your designated policing area in Bedfordshire and join a team working alongside experienced police officers. Throughout your training, you’ll undertake work-based learning and you will be fully supported as you apply new skills and knowledge as part of your operational duties. You’ll be immersed in day-to-day policing, helping you understand the context of what you learn, enabling you to develop the skills and experience needed for this challenging role, as you actively contribute to reducing crime and harm in the communities of Bedfordshire.

• Policing, police law and police power
• Protection, Vulnerability and Operational Policing
• Response and Crime Investigation
• Specialist Skills
• Police Code of Ethics
• Criminal Law
• Police Procedure
• Statement taking and writing
• First aid
• Interviewing
• Police systems
• Evidence based policing
• Problem solving
• Search techniques
• Mental health
• Domestic abuse
• Stalking and harassment

Throughout the course, you will need to successfully complete operational assessments to test the skills, knowledge and qualities required to be an officer. Your knowledge and skills will be assessed throughout the programme using a variety of techniques including exams, presentations and short essays. You will also need to compile a work-based Operational Competency Portfolio and pass operational assessments of a range of critical policing skills, including providing effective initial response to a critical incident, engaging proactively with communities, conducting effective evaluation of intelligence, and providing support to vulnerable people, victims and witnesses.

Once you have successfully completed your two-year probation, you will be able to consider further opportunities of progression and specialism within our force. As a Bedfordshire police officer, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a truly fulfilling career and work your way up the ranks. Join us and make a genuine, positive difference to people from all walks of life.

Please note: This role has been identified as high-risk in relation to potential DNA and fingerprint contamination within forensic processes. As such, successful candidates will be required to provide a DNA and fingerprint elimination sample as part of their pre-employment checks. The sample will be used to conduct a speculative search against our database and then solely for contamination elimination purposes and held on a secure elimination database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. Provision of this sample is a condition of employment for roles identified as high-risk.

This advert is due to close on 31st March 2026 at 23:55pm.