Police Officer - Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)

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 £32,256 with an annual incremental increase up to £52,014 within 7 years along with a number of additional benefits.

PCEP is a two-year programme that is solely focused on helping you develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be an effective operational police officer through a combination of classroom based and work-based learning.

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
You will need a minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English Language or Literature at a GCSE (Grade C and above or level 4 to 9) or equivalent.

• In addition to this, you will also need
• Two A-Levels at Grade E or above, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification
• OR
• Evidence of at least two years of employment/experience in a role with comparable skills to policing or academic study (see list below).
• Comparable skills/experience
• Experience working with the vulnerable / caring for others / working with communities:

• Nursing- Care Sector- Social Work- Youth Work- Charity Work- Teaching
• Police Staff – Particularly with experience in custody/public facing/demand hub/enquiry office roles/investigative roles/criminal justice sector/CPS/Courts/Border Force.
• PCSO/Special Constable experience with independent patrol.
• Completed the PPD (Professional Policing Degree) – The PCEP programme content may differ for PPD graduates depending on individual’s needs.
• Have served the minimum term of service with the UK Armed Forces and have achieved an exemplary reference on discharge (4+ years, or 3 years if pre-1999).
• Relevant local authority experience which has involved close and sustained working with police.
• Experience of emergency services – ambulance, fire etc.
• Experience of performing investigative roles such as fraud, financial crime, loss prevention and cyber/digital crime.
• Customer service experience at a supervisory level in a public facing role.

Don’t have the grades? Don’t worry! Applicants who do not hold two A-Levels or a formal level 3 qualification will be invited to provide additional written evidence that they possess comparable skills, experience, and personal attributes to make an effective police officer.

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.