Police Officer - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

The Police service offers a career like no other. Police officers face many difficult challenges but also experience unique rewards and unparalleled job satisfaction in their work to keep the public safe.

No two days are the same as a police officer. On any given shift you could be responding to a variety of emergency calls, requiring you to attend different types of incidents, investigate crime reports, support vulnerable victims, and arrest suspects where necessary.

On your next shift you could be patrolling in the local community, searching for a missing person, conducting a search warrant or giving evidence in court.

Policing is not purely about enforcement, your communication skills and ability to build relationships with the public and our partners will be key.

You will need determination, patience, and the ability to champion those around you.

Policing is one career, with countless opportunities. You can progress through the ranks or specialise in an area that interests you. You could become a detective, join our firearms or roads policing units or one of our public protection teams.

Wherever you decide to take your career, we will support you and develop you to achieve your potential.

Join Suffolk Police as a Police Officer and you will receive a starting salary of £31,164 with an annual incremental increase up to £50,256 within 7 years along with a number of additional benefits.

The PCDA programme is an entry route into policing for those who want to become police officers whilst also earning a degree.

The degree is fully integrated into your workplace training. You will receive protected learning time, and there is no expectation that officers will have to use their own time to complete the degree.

This three-year apprenticeship provides you with the opportunity to earn as you learn and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion of the programme.

You can apply for the PCDA Programme even if you currently hold a Level 6 degree.

The PCDA is funded via an Apprenticeship Levy, and a Student Officer will never be liable for any degree costs, regardless of any circumstances.

Eligibility

To be a police officer you must
be aged 17 or over (on the day you submit your application). You will need to be 18 years or over by your first day.
have been a UK resident for the past three years.
be a British or Commonwealth citizen, or an EC/European Economic Area national, or a foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted.
have a full UK manual driving licence.
not have six penalty points or more on your driving licence.
be prepared to work shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays
not have tattoos which could cause offence.
not be registered bankrupt (or have bankruptcy debts that have been discharged within the past three years).
be able to pass a job-related fitness test
be able to pass a medical screening and meet the minimum eyesight standards
not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group.

Required qualifications
Minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English (Language or Literature) and Maths at a GCSE Grade C and above or Level 4 to 9, or equivalent.

• In addition to this, you will also need
• Have achieved or be working towards the equivalent of 64+ UCAS points (two A Levels or two Level 3 qualifications Grade C or above)
• Don’t have the Grades or UCAS points? Don’t worry!

Applicants who do not have 64 UCAS points, can still apply with the following experience and will be invited to complete a study skills assessment as part of the eligibility checks.

• 0-32 Points UCAS Points
• PCSO 2+ years
• Special Constable 2+years
• Armed forces +4 years (PRE1999 only 3 years is needed)
• 32-63 UCAS Points (1+ years' experience)
• Nursing / Care Sector
• Social Work
• Youth Work
• Teaching
• Experience in the justice and law enforcement sectors
• Police Staff – particularly Custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles, investigative roles
• Criminal Justice sector/CPS/Courts
• Border Force
• Prison Service
• Relevant local authority experience which has involved close and sustained working with police.
• Experience of emergency services – ambulance, fire
• Experience of cyber/digital and financial fraud/crimes
• Roles which have focused on promotion of equality of opportunity and inclusion (incl. Charity work)
• MOD as a civilian security officer that works closely with the police

Applicants will be considered if they can provide evidence of at least one year’s employment in a role that requires comparable skills to policing or academic study. These applicants will be invited to complete an aptitude test, followed by a study skills review, where an assessment will be made on their ability to meet the academic demands of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.

Applicants who pass the study skills review will have met the university entry requirements.

Non-UK Qualifications
If you’re qualifications are from outside the UK, you will need to provide a certified translation of your qualifications. See our website for further details.