National Graduate Programme 2026

For every ambition, every action, every change. If you are ready to step into a role where your decisions shape real lives and communities, this is where your journey begins.

Our two-year programme are designed to develop diverse graduates, from any degree, who want to build trust, reduce crime and transform communities as neighbourhood police officers and police detectives.

Our programme gives you the opportunity to make our society better by developing skills to become a future leader.

Your salary is paid from day one when you start our training academy. Our programme prepares you to make a positive change and stop crime before it happens. There is no greater feeling than seeing the work you do impact someone’s life for the better.

Register your interest now for our National Graduate Programme, starting in March 2026.

Neighbourhood

As a neighbourhood police officer, you'll protect communities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and increase public trust and confidence in policing. You’ll work in diverse communities, devise long term strategic solutions and work collaboratively with multi-agency teams.

Detective

As a police detective, the most serious crimes land on your desk. You’re the key role responsible for bringing justice to victims impacted by crime. You need the resilience to overcome obstacles, the clarity to never take things at face value, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life and gain their trust.

Training and development

Our award-winning training sets the foundation for a successful and transformative career in policing. Throughout the Police Now training academy, you’ll have access to a Performance and Development Coach who will support you to navigate a new career and maximise your potential. Depending on which route you take, you can also apply for a secondment during the second year of the programme, which is a unique opportunity to experience working with external partners.

Once you successfully complete the programme, you will be a fully warranted neighbourhood police officer or police detective with a permanent role in policing. You’ll also join our Police Now alumni network.

Many of our graduates have been promoted after completing the programme or have explored other areas of policing such as Counter Terrorism, Firearms or Investigations.

Rewards and benefits

Your salary will start on day one of your training academy. You will receive a starting salary of £29,907 – £38,269. Your salary will increase each year up to £48,231 - £56,593 within seven years. Salary varies depending on location.

Leave

You’ll start with 22 days per year (on top of public holidays), rising to 30 days depending on your length of service. You can also expect other forms of leave including adoption, maternity and paternity.

Work-life balance

This is not your typical 9-5. Police officers work varied shift patterns which gives them flexibility and freedom to maximise their time outside of work. Different to your typical working week, you’ll often receive several days off in a row. It may take some time to adapt to shift pattern working, but once you do, you may find that the flexibility of the schedule allows you to better balance work and home life.

Pension

You’ll automatically be enrolled as a member of the Police Pension Scheme 2015, which awards police officers for their dedication and service to the public. It offers a generous and secure retirement package, providing officers with financial stability and peace of mind.

There are various partner organisations who work alongside the police to offer a variety of financial services including saving, investment and protection products, as well as discounts and subsidies. Many major high street stores, retail outlets and other national organisations offer discounts and special deals to police officers. Most police forces also provide access to a number of subsidised leisure and sporting activities.

What we are looking for

To apply for this programme, you must:

• be over 17 years of age or older on application, (and 18 by the time of appointment)
• be a British citizen, a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and has settled status or leave to remain and work without restrictions
• have been resident in the UK for the past three years (some exemptions allowed)
• not currently be registered as bankrupt (or have bankruptcy debts that have been discharged within the past three years)
• not have existing county court judgements outstanding against you
• not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group
• not plan to take an active role in politics once in role (this does not include voting, but would include canvassing for a political party)
• be competent in written and spoken English and numeracy
• hold at least one UK level 3 qualification in any subject, or non-UK equivalent
• hold a first, 2:1 or 2.2 in any undergraduate degree from a UK university (or equivalent from a non-UK university) and have completed all education by the programme start date of March 2026 this includes part time or distance learning
• have not undertaken the College of Policing-licensed pre-join degree in Professional Policing Practice
• have not previously attested, trained or been employed as a police constable in the UK

Any

Additional job details

Location UK wide

Contract, dates and working times Fixed term

Full-time

How to apply

Application process

• Online application. This is where you'll provide your personal details, so we can see if you meet our eligibility requirements. It's also a chance for you to make us aware of any adjustments you may need during the process.
• Immersive assessment. If you are eligible for the programme, you'll be invited to complete an immersive assessment where you will experience a number of scenarios which will bring the role you are applying to, to life.
• Assessment centre. If you pass the immersive assessment, you'll be invited to a digital assessment centre and offered dates to choose from. This is a chance for you to demonstrate your motivations for joining the programme and gain further insight into the role.
• Conditional offer. If successful at assessment centre, you'll receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer. They will be there throughout your onboarding journey and assist you with your pre-employment checks including: fitness test, , medical assessment, references and vetting. Your final offer will be dependent on you passing all these checks.

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 24 August 2025

Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.

Police Now’s mission is to transform communities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and increase the public’s confidence in the police service by recruiting, developing and inspiring outstanding and diverse individuals to be leaders in society and on the policing frontline.

Police Now are recognised as a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer and offer two award-winning national graduate programmes:

To stay safe in your job search we recommend that you visit JobsAware , a non-profit, joint industry and law enforcement organisation working to combat job scams. Visit the JobsAware website for information on common scams and to get free, expert advice for a safer job search.