Detective pathway - Police Constable Entry Programme

Nottinghamshire Police; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PolicePass learning package

Mentor and development support

Flexible working opportunities

Job summary

Nottinghamshire Police invites applications for the Detective pathway - Police Constable Entry Programme, a three-year development route to becoming a Detective. The programme trains you as a Police Officer first, then specialises in investigations across serious crimes, with support from tutors, mentors and the PolicePass learning package.

You’ll work 40 hours per week on rotating shifts (including weekends and nights), must have UK residence for 3+ years, and hold a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Hold 2 A levels or a Level 3 qualification (National Diploma, Level 3 NVQ, Access to Higher Education Diploma)
• Or have relevant quantifiable experience to the role of police constable (conditions apply)
• Hold a full UK driving licence (manual)
• You will work 40 hours per week working rotating shifts (weekends, nights and bank holidays) with a 365/6 day pattern
• You must have resided in the UK for at least the last 3 years (Vetting Level Recruitment)

Responsibilities

• Investigate serious and complex cases by gathering evidence, interviewing suspects and managing victims and witnesses
• Prepare case files and attend court to present evidence
• Engage with social care, barristers, forensic experts, pathologists, specialist teams and other agencies
• Be resilient, adaptable, and work both independently and in a wider team

Skills

Problem solving

Excellent communications

Teamwork

Tenacity

Attention to detail

Creative thinking

Education

2 A levels or Level 3 qualification

National Diploma / Level 3 NVQ / Access to Higher Education Diploma

Job description

Detective pathway - Police Constable Entry Programme

Ready for a Change? Ready for a Challenge?

We are pleased to offer this fantastic opportunity to join the Force as a Police Officer and train to become a Detective over a 3 year programme.

As a detective constable you will be motivated by making a difference in your local community and you will play a critical role in supporting victims in the most serious of crimes.

Detectives manage our complex and serious investigations and work as investigative experts in a number of different investigation types including serious assault, sexual offences, suspicious deaths, firearms, drugs, fraud, cybercrime, domestic abuse, homicide and serious / organised crime.

As a detective you will:

• Investigate serious and complex cases by gathering evidence, interviewing suspects and conducting victim and witness management
• Victim centred, passionate to support victims and deliver positive outcomes
• Manage and support vulnerability and risk
• Utilise the latest technologies as well as traditional policing methods
• Prepare case files and attend court to present evidence
• Engage with a wide variety of people including social care, barristers, forensic experts, pathologists, specialist teams and other agencies.
• Have a range of communication skills, communicating with care and compassion
• demonstrate resilience and tenacity, whilst retaining a focus on delivering a positive result and adapting to new developments
• Work on your own but also in a wider team
• Be creative and innovative in your work to solve problems, find answers and support people

Your role as a detective will allow you to challenge yourself and but you will ultimately be rewarded, knowing that you have made a difference to the lives of those that you have supported in the pursuit of seeking positive outcomes for our victims by delivering an outstanding service.

• The programme focuses on developing investigative skills in preparation to becoming a qualified Detective
• You will spend most of the time in investigative roles.
• You will still be expected to progress through “non detective” elements and demonstrate full operational competence as a Police Constable.
• However, the pathway is designed to provide a clear pathway for staff to join the Force and become a Detective which will require a high level of work and demand on individuals. Therefore, you will receive an enhanced support framework through a gradual but progressive investigator journey.
• You will have a structured programme which includes different placements to support you on your investigator journey in becoming a Detective.
• You will train towards becoming a qualified PIP1 investigator and then a qualified PIP2 investigator.
• You will investigate the Force’s most serious and complex crime as a Detective.

Requirements:

• We are looking for a wide range of people who are great problem solvers, have excellent communications skills, who are tenacious, have attention to detail, are creative and love working as part of a team. You will have a desire to provide the best possible service to victims, often working with vulnerable people and be passionate to deliver positive outcomes for victims
• Hold 2 A levels or a level 3 qualification in any subject (National Diploma, Level 3 NVQ, Access to Higher Education Diploma)
• Or have relevant quantifiable experience to the role of police constable (conditions apply)
• Or are a current serving PCSO, who has passed your probationary period and served 12 months in post
• Or are a current serving Special Constable who has attained their independent patrol status at the time of application
• Hold a full UK driving licence (manual)
• You will work 40 hours per week working rotating shifts after initial training (this includes weekends, nights and bank holidays with a shift pattern over 365/6 days a year)
• you must have resided in the UK for at least the last 3 years. Vetting Level Recruitment.

Support:

• In Force training throughout the programme at one of the best training facilities in the region
• You will be provided with training, allocated tutors, professional development officers to support and assess and mentors to support you through each placement. (both PIP1 and PIP2 levels).
• In Nottinghamshire we have one of the best PIP2 support packages including a free PolicePass blended learning package (online, in person and text book learning resources), protected study leave, wide range of learning resources and study clubs provided
• Provides the opportunity for flexible working to be considered at an early stage in your Policing career.
• If you have prior experience which is accepted as recognised prior learning, the pathways will consider evidence on a case‑case basis regarding your progression through the pathway.

Please be aware that there is no set closing date for this application, however once we have reached our maximum number of applications, we will close this advert without prior warning.

Please note this cohort will be subject to availability of the course

All applicants will be subject to Nottinghamshire Polices Vetting Policy.

Please note - the entire process can take in excess of 8 months.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Detective pathway - Police Constable Entry Programme

Company: Nottinghamshire Police Salary: £32,256 to £52,014 a year, pro rata Hours: Full-time Location: VARIOUS COUNTY LOCATIONS Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 26 Oct 2026 Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

Summary

Ready for a Change? Ready for a Challenge?

We are pleased to offer this fantastic opportunity to join the Force as a Police Officer and train to become a Detective over a 3 year programme.

As a detective constable you will be motivated by making a difference in your local community and you will play a critical role in supporting victims in the most serious of crimes.

Detectives manage our complex and serious investigations and work as investigative experts in a number of different investigation types including serious assault, sexual offences, suspicious deaths, firearms, drugs, fraud, cybercrime, domestic abuse, homicide and serious / organised crime.

As a detective you will:

• Investigate serious and complex cases by gathering evidence, interviewing suspects and conducting victim and witness management
• Victim centred, passionate to support victims and deliver positive outcomes
• Manage and support vulnerability and risk
• Utilise the latest technologies as well as traditional policing methods
• Prepare case files and attend court to present evidence
• Engage with a wide variety of people including social care, barristers, forensic experts, pathologists, specialist teams and other agencies.
• Have a range of communication skills, communicating with care and compassion
• demonstrate resilience and tenacity, whilst retaining a focus on delivering a positive result and adapting to new developments
• Work on your own but also in a wider team
• Be creative and innovative in your work to solve problems, find answers and support people

Your role as a detective will allow you to challenge yourself and but you will ultimately be rewarded, knowing that you have made a difference to the lives of those that you have supported in the pursuit of seeking positive outcomes for our victims by delivering an outstanding service.

• The programme focuses on developing investigative skills in preparation to becoming a qualified Detective
• You will spend most of the time in investigative roles.
• You will still be expected to progress through “non detective” elements and demonstrate full operational competence as a Police Constable.
• However, the pathway is designed to provide a clear pathway for staff to join the Force and become a Detective which will require a high level of work and demand on individuals. Therefore, you will receive an enhanced support framework through a gradual but progressive investigator journey.
• You will have a structured programme which includes different placements to support you on your investigator journey in becoming a Detective.
• You will train towards becoming a qualified PIP1 investigator and then a qualified PIP2 investigator.
• You will investigate the Force’s most serious and complex crime as a Detective.

Requirements:

• We are looking for a wide range of people who are great problem solvers, have excellent communications skills, who are tenacious, have attention to detail, are creative and love working as part of a team. You will have a desire to provide the best possible service to victims, often working with vulnerable people and be passionate to deliver positive outcomes for victims
• Hold 2 A levels or a level 3 qualification in any subject (National Diploma, Level 3 NVQ, Access to Higher Education Diploma)
• Or have relevant quantifiable experience to the role of police constable (conditions apply)
• Or are a current serving PCSO, who has passed your probationary period and served 12 months in post
• Or are a current serving Special Constable who has attained their independent patrol status at the time of application
• Hold a full UK driving licence (manual)
• You will work 40 hours per week working rotating shifts after initial training (this includes weekends, nights and bank holidays with a shift pattern over 365/6 days a year)
• you must have resided in the UK for at least the last 3 years. Vetting Level Recruitment.

Support:

• In Force training throughout the programme at one of the best training facilities in the region
• You will be provided with training, allocated tutors, professional development officers to support and assess and mentors to support you through each placement. (both PIP1 and PIP2 levels).
• In Nottinghamshire we have one of the best PIP2 support packages including a free PolicePass blended learning package (online, in person and text book learning resources), protected study leave, wide range of learning resources and study clubs provided
• Provides the opportunity for flexible working to be considered at an early stage in your Policing career.
• If you have prior experience which is accepted as recognised prior learning, the pathways will consider evidence on a case‑case basis regarding your progression through the pathway.

Please be aware that there is no set closing date for this application, however once we have reached our maximum number of applications, we will close this advert without prior warning.

Please note this cohort will be subject to availability of the course

All applicants will be subject to Nottinghamshire Polices Vetting Policy.

Please note - the entire process can take in excess of 8 months.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

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