National Graduate Programme – Thames Valley Police in Reading

For every ambition. Every action. Every change. If you’re ready to step into a role where your decisions make a real difference to people’s lives and the communities you serve, this is where your journey begins. As a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer, our two-year programme is designed to train and develop graduates from any degree discipline who are committed to building public trust and confidence in policing, reducing crime, and creating a lasting positive change in communities. You don’t need any prior policing knowledge or experience to apply. What matters most is that your motivations align with our mission and that you’re driven to make a meaningful impact.

THE ROLE

In a neighbourhood policing role, you’ll be at the heart of creating safer communities, working proactively to address long-term issues and improve quality of life. You’ll spend two years embedded in a neighbourhood policing team using your problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify risk, harm and threats. You’ll tackle complex challenges such as anti-social behaviour, knife crime, violence against women and girls (VAWG), safeguarding vulnerable people, and drug-related crime. Policing is demanding but deeply rewarding. You’ll be supported every step of the way as you develop the skills to make a real, lasting difference, both on the frontline and as a future leader.

THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Thames Valley Police serves communities across parts of South East England, including major towns and cities such as Reading, Milton Keynes, and Oxford, as well as rural areas. Thames Valley Police’s priorities include protecting communities through visible neighbourhood policing and road safety, protecting people from domestic abuse and serious violence, and protecting property by targeting burglary, rural crime, and retail theft.

WHY POLICE NOW?

• Earn a starting salary of £34,164 paid from day one at your residential training academy.
• Complete a four-week internal attachment or external secondment in your second year, with previous opportunities at organisations such as Accenture and the Home Office.
• Receive dedicated support from a Performance and Development Coach throughout the two years and guidance with promotion and career progression, beyond the programme.
• Gain access to a national peer network of over 3,700 officers across police forces in England and Wales.

BENEFITS

• Annual leave: Start with a minimum of 22 days per year, plus public holidays, rising to 30 days with length of service.
• Work/life balance: Policing isn’t a typical 9–5. Varied shift patterns can offer flexibility and the freedom to make the most of your time outside work.
• Job security: Policing offers long-term stability with a permanent contract of employment.
• Pension: Automatic enrolment in the Police Pension Scheme, recognising and rewarding long-term service and dedication to the public.

ELIGIBILITY

• Be over 17 years of age or older on application, (and 18 by the time of appointment).
• 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 2027). This includes part-time or distance learning.
• Hold UK Level 3 qualifications, equivalent to at least two A-Levels in any subject, or an international equivalent if you studied outside the UK.
• Be a UK national, or a non-UK national with the legal right to work in the UK without restrictions.
• Hold a full UK manual or automatic driving licence.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Online application
• Online immersive assessment
• Virtual assessment centre

If successful across these stages, you will receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer to assist with your onboarding and pre-employment checks. These include:

• A face-to-face Professionalism in Policing meeting, focused on values.
• A fitness test and medical assessment.
• Vetting