Police Officer Recruitment - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a real impact on people’s lives? Join Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary as a Police Officer, and you’ll embark on a journey that offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to create safer communities. Whether you’re someone just starting your career and looking for a role with a purpose, a recent graduate or an experienced professional seeking a change - this could be the role for you.

Be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking force, working on the front-line to prevent crime, protect the public, and bring offenders to justice.

What is the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)?
You don't need a degree to join the police! Join under the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) entry route which is a mixture of dynamic practical on-the-job learning alongside academic classroom-based theory and learning. You’ll be a police officer from your first day on the job so you can earn while you learn.
You'll earn a Degree in Professional Policing Practice once you've completed your probation which will be fully funded by the Constabulary.
Under this entry route, you will be paired with a university during the 3-years who will provide the learning and resources you need to earn a degree in Professional Policing Practice which is fully funded by the Constabulary. You will not be required to attend a university, they will come to you during your training. After completing your initial 18-week training period, you will then move to your posting and work alongside a tutor. You will remain at your posting and attachments until you pass your probation, and you will receive protected learning time during your development to allow you to complete your assessments and paperwork required for the university aspect.
What You’ll Do
As a Police Officer, no two days are ever the same – the variety of incidents and roles make this an exciting and demanding career. You could:
Respond to Emergencies: Attend incidents where your quick thinking and problem-solving will make a difference.
Investigate Crimes: Arrest and interview suspects, collect evidence, and work with victims and witnesses to achieve justice.
Engage with Communities: Build trust and maintain relationships with diverse communities to identify and solve local issues.
Tackle New Challenges: Adapt to an ever-changing criminal landscape, including cybercrime, fraud, and organised crime.

A Career of Variety and Progression
You’ll begin your journey as a uniform Police Constable, developing the fundamental skills and experience required to succeed. After completing your probationary period, the opportunities for career development and specialisation are endless:
Train to become a Detective Constable, investigating serious crimes and complex cases.
Join specialist teams such as counter-terrorism, cybercrime, or public protection.
Learn new skills and experience new roles such as response driving, becoming an Armed Response Officer or a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator
Progress into leadership roles or explore secondment opportunities to work on national or international projects.
We’re committed to helping you find your specialism and supporting you throughout your career.

Comprehensive Training and Support
We invest in your success from day one. Here is what you can expect:
18-Week Initial Training: Gain the knowledge and confidence to hit the ground running.
Mentoring and Frontline Experience: Learn from experienced officers while applying your training in real-life scenarios.
Ongoing Professional Development: Throughout your career, we’ll provide tailored training to help you progress and succeed in your chosen path.

Salary and Benefits
Joining Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is more than just a career choice; it’s a chance to secure your future. We know that to perform at your best, you need to feel valued and supported. That’s why we offer:
Starting Salary: £34,326 (including a £2,070 South East allowance), rising to over £50,000 after seven years .
Pension Scheme: Enjoy financial security with a competitive pension plan.
Discounts and Perks: Access retail, food, and leisure discounts through the Blue Light Card and Hampshire Police Leisure & Sports.
Wellbeing Support: Comprehensive health and wellbeing services, including physiotherapy, occupational health, and an employee assistance programme.
Work-Life Balance: On-site gym facilities and flexible career paths to suit your aspirations.
Career Development: Continuous training, mentoring, and opportunities for promotion and specialisation.

Completing Studies in Summer 2026
Applications are currently being accepted from candidates who are currently in their final year of study, waiting to get their qualification results this summer!
If you have / are currently completing your final year of study and will be getting your qualification results this summer, we welcome you to submit an application to the PCDA now!
Upon applying, you will still be required to go through our initial eligibility checks, but instead of providing your qualification at the point of application, you will need to provide evidence of your qualification to us once you have received your final qualification this summer.
Please note that whilst you are able to submit an application now and go through the recruitment process, if successful in the assessment process, we would not issue you with a Conditional Offer Letter to start your pre-employment checks until you have provided evidence of your final qualification.

Eligibility Requirements
1. A full driving licence must be held upon application.
2. Maths and English GCSE grade C/4-9 or Level 2 in functional skills at the point of application.
3. One A Level Grade A*-C or Level 3 equivalent AND one A Level Grade A*-E, or AS Level in a different subject, or Level 3 equivalent. You must have a minimum overall of 48 UCAS points. (you can check how many points your qualification is worth on the UCAS tariff calculator)
Applicants without Level 3 qualifications can be considered if:
- Served in the military or armed forces, or similar law enforcement agency, and successfully completed the minimum term of service and have an exemplary reference, for a minimum of 2 years within the last 5 years
- Served in another emergency service e.g. Special, PCSO or other operational role and have an exemplary reference, for a minimum of 2 years within the last 5 years
- Level 3 certificate in Knowledge of Policing or Police Law and Community Certificate
Should you not hold any of the Level 3 qualifications or previous service listed above, you can choose to undergo an experience assessment as part of the recruitment process. Please note, a full manual driving licence and Level 2 qualifications are still required upon application.
4. Have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to application.
5. Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or similar organisation.
6. Not have tattoos which could cause offence.
7. Be a British or Commonwealth citizen, or an EC/European Economic Area national, or a foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted.
8. Be able to pass the Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT)