Meet - Devon and Cornwall Police

Our Police Constable Degree apprenticeship (PDCA) means you’ll gain a (BSc) Hons degree in Professional Policing Practice, while earning a £31,164 salary from day one. Devon and Cornwall Police cover all qualification fees, so that you can get a degree that is relevant to policing.

Within 7 years you can earn up to £50,256.

Policing is a demanding job, which is why you’ll also have access to a range of benefits to help support your wellbeing both inside and outside of work, including:

• Eligibility for the Blue Light Card, which will give you discounts on a variety of things, from restaurants, cinemas, shopping and experiences.
• Sports, gym and social facilities and activities
• Free eyesight tests
• Cycle to Work scheme
• On-site parking at many locations
• Free Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational health, wellbeing services and staff support networks
• Competitive police pension scheme
• Company sick pay

We’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the richness and diversity of our communities. Devon & Cornwall Police offer a range of staff support networks, including those focused on wellbeing, inclusion and professional development, helping our officers and staff feel supported throughout their careers. If you’d like additional guidance before starting the recruitment process, our Positive Action Team is here to help. They’re available to offer friendly support, helping you feel confident, prepared and ready to take your next step.

Starting a career in policing is a big step, so we make sure you are supported throughout your journey. Our structured training programme includes regular check-ins, mentoring and guidance to help you develop your skills and confidence.

A career with Devon and Cornwall Police is about more than just a job, it’s a chance to make a real difference while building a rewarding career. You’ll support communities, respond to incidents, investigate crime and help people when they need it most.

As a Police Constable Degree Apprentice, no two days are the same. You’ll learn new skills and gain a fully funded degree while working alongside experienced officers who are dedicated to keeping communities safe across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is a three-year programme that allows you to join as a Police Constable while studying towards a professional degree alongside your role. The programme is delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales and combines real frontline policing experience with academic learning.

During the apprenticeship you will:

• Earn a salary from day one
• Gain a fully funded degree while working
• Learn practical policing skills on the job
• Study topics such as law, investigations and community policing
• Be supported by experienced officers, tutors and mentors

You’ll build on everything you learn, working in a number of different policing roles, from responding to emergency calls to policing our neighbourhoods and working with communities. You’ll also work alongside specialist departments. Each role helps you develop your skill set, enhance your knowledge and helps you gain valuable experience.

You’ll need to complete operational and academic assessments at times during your course, including exams, essays and presentations.

*While the PCDA is a popular entry route, it’s not the only pathway into policing. Depending on your qualifications and experience, we also offer other entry routes into the Police Constable role – visit Job opportunities – Working in Partnership  for information.

If you’re looking for a career that is challenging, rewarding and full of opportunities, policing could be the perfect place to start.

You will start your 24 weeks of initial training at the police Headquarters in Exeter, covering important topics including:

• Policing, the law and police powers
• Protection, vulnerability and public protection
• Policing communities, response policing and investigating crime
• Police leadership, coaching and mentoring
• Officer safety training
• First aid and emergency life support
• Safeguarding
• Crime investigation and operational policing

For more information about modules and assessments, visit the University of  South Wales.

Following your successful 24-week training, you will spend the next 12 weeks working in a police team based in the Professional Development Unit alongside a dedicated, experienced police officer.

You will return to university in year 2 for two protected learning blocks. In your final year, you’ll get the chance to write a dissertation on a policing subject of your choosing. You will be given guidance on who to speak to for more information on your chosen subject. This will give you the unique opportunity to meet people local to the area, while opening doors for future career moves.

You’ll follow a curriculum set by the College of Policing. Your training will vary from classroom lessons, where you will gain knowledge in a variety of subjects, to personal safety and first aid, training in a controlled environment, essential IT training on our in-house systems and practical scenario-based training to apply your skills and knowledge. Assessments will include written work, presentations, portfolios, and interactive exercises.

It can take up to 6 months for the entire application process to be completed, but the career you will build is worth the wait.

Devon and Cornwall are one of the most geographically diverse parts of the UK for policing. From cities to coastlines, urban to rural, there’s a diverse range of communities that need our protection. That’s why we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who are committed to making a difference in our counties and communities.

We look for people who share our values of integrity, courage, accountability, respect and empathy.

In addition to this, we also have our standard eligibility criteria:

• You must be 18 when you join us
• You must have Level 2 in English and Maths, for example, a GCSE or iGCSE at grade 4 (C) or above
• Must have a maximum of two Level 3 qualifications in any subject(s) that equate to 32 UCAS points (or a full Level 4 or 5 qualification). For example, these points could be from your  A Levels, Level 3 Diplomas and International Baccalaureate. Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeships will also be accepted, or 18 months service as a PCSO / Call handler / Special Constable
• You can apply whilst working towards the above qualifications, but they must be achieved before any appointment

Health and fitness

As a police officer, you will find yourself in a variety of physically challenging situations. You will need strength and stamina to deal effectively with these situations, as well as be able to defend yourself and others. To ensure you are fit enough, you will undertake a fitness test as part of the application and regularly throughout your career.

The test is there to make sure you can do the job, not catch you out. It involves running up and down a 15-meter track, beating a ‘bleep’. At the end of each level, the time between the bleeps gets shorter, meaning you must run faster. The whole test takes three minutes and 35 seconds and covers a total of 525 meters.

For more information and FAQ, visit: Fitness Test for Police Officers – FAQs for both Forces – Working in Partnership.

A training programme to support your test can be found here.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. HM government medical standards information gives full details on illnesses, injuries and disorders that will affect your ability to work as a police officer. For more information, visit: National recruitment standards – medical standards for police recruitment – GOV.UK.

Eyesight

You must meet the police eyesight standards. These are the same no matter which force you join. Your eyesight is tested as part of your medical, which takes place during the application process. For more information, visit: Police regulations 2003 and Secretary of State determinations under those regulations – GOV.UK.

Vetting

Everyone joining the force must be vetted. Vetting checks are an important way to maintain our high standards and reassure our communities that appropriate checks are done on people who hold a position of trust. For more information, please visit here.

Your three-year training will also count as your probation. On successful completion you will graduate from both the degree and your probation. You will then be able to choose to specialise or apply for promotion.

Policing offers excellent career progression. You could specialise in areas such as investigations, neighbourhood policing, roads policing, cybercrime, firearms, dog handling and many more. There are also opportunities to work in a range of locations across our force area.