Police officer

Also called Police constable.

Police officers respond to incidents, investigate crimes and work closely with communities to keep them safe.

Potential salary: £30,000 starter to £48,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 37 to 40 a week. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
Career area: Law and public service
Where they might work: You could work on a patrol or at a police station. Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
A typical task: respond to calls for help from the public
Subjects that may help: 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Typical route: You can do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on one of the police entry programmes, such as: Degree Holder Entry Programme; National Graduate Leadership Programme.
Interest area used here: Making, fixing and working outdoors

Career actions

What you might do

respond to calls for help from the public
investigate incidents, crimes and offences
collect witness statements, intelligence and evidence
interview suspects and make arrests
give evidence in court
control traffic and crowds at large public events and gatherings

More tasks (1)

advise the public on personal safety and crime prevention

Could this suit me?

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

knowledge of public safety and security
negotiation skills for keeping people safe
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding for dealing with traumatic situations
legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
the ability to understand people’s reactions

More skills

excellent verbal communication skills
leadership skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Routes into this career

University route

You can do a degree in any subject then apply for a place on one of the police entry programmes, such as: Degree Holder Entry Programme; National Graduate Leadership Programme.
Alternatively, you can complete a 3-year Professional Policing degree at a participating university.
You are not guaranteed a job at the end of the course. Instead, you have to apply for police constable roles within 5 years of completing this degree.
If you want to train to be a detective, you can apply for a place on the 2-year National Detective Programme (NDP).
You will need a degree and at least 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications to apply for the NDP.

University courses that could lead to this career

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Criminology
Related, but not enough on its own. A degree is not required to join the police. This course is not police training.
Forensic science
Related, but not enough on its own. Policing does not require a forensic degree, and this degree is not police training.
Law
Related, but not enough on its own. Policing does not require a law degree. Recruitment is a separate process.
Sociology
Related, but not enough on its own. Policing does not require a sociology degree, and the degree is not police training.

Explore university routes

Apprenticeship or vocational route

You could do a college course to prepare for a direct application for police officer training or a degree apprenticeship, though this is not essential.
Courses include: uniformed protective services; public services.
You could apply to do a Police Constable Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. It's a 3-year work-based programme that leads to a degree in Professional Policing Practice.
If you want to work in non-emergency response situations you could apply for a place on a Serious and Complex Crime Investigator Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
This can lead to work with police forces and organisations like: the National Crime Agency; HM Revenue and Customs; the Ministry of Defence.
You could get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training.
You can apply directly for the 2-year Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP).
You can also apply for a place on the Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP), if you want to train as a detective.
You'll usually need GCSEs in English and maths and 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications for these programmes. Relevant experience can also be taken into account. This might be from: the armed forces; work as a police community support officer (PCSO); other emergency services; Border Force or the prison service.
You can search for forces that are recruiting for the PCEP and DCEP.
If your initial application is successful, you'll be invited to an assessment centre where you'll take written tests and have an interview.

Other routes

You can get a taste of what it's like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable.
If you're a former police officer, you could return to policing by contacting a participating force for details about their rejoiner scheme.

Career progression

After training, you'll need to pass a probationary period as a police constable.
There are opportunities to specialise in a particular type of policing, for example: criminal investigation department (CID); road traffic; drugs or firearms; counter-terrorism; air support or underwater search; dog handling or mounted policing.
With experience and extra training, you may be able to apply for promotion to sergeant, inspector or chief inspector.
In the CID, you'll also have the title of detective added to your rank, for example detective sergeant or detective chief inspector.

Registration and requirements

pass enhanced background checks

be over 18 years of age

pass a fitness test

Subjects that may help

Subject guidance

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship