Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

Avon and Somerset Police; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Police Pension Scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee assistance programmes

Shift allowances

Mentoring programmes

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Avon and Somerset Police is recruiting Police Constables through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). You will respond to emergencies, support victims, and work with frontline teams during your three-year training, earning a fully funded degree and a competitive salary.

During the first 12 weeks you’ll train with our Learning Team and the University of the West of England, then join the Patrol team as an operational officer, combining hands-on policing with academic study.

Qualifications

• Compassion, resilience and strong communication skills are essential.
• Willingness to undertake three years of hands-on policing alongside University study.
• Demonstrates empathy, courage and commitment to serving communities.

Responsibilities

• Respond to a range of incidents with professionalism and composure.
• Support victims of crime with empathy and care.
• Collaborate with colleagues to keep communities safe.
• Engage with people from all backgrounds to build trust and make a difference.

Job description

Join Avon and Somerset Police as a Police Officer through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Are you ready to make a real impact? Looking for a career that changes lives and strengthens communities? Avon and Somerset Police are inviting driven, compassionate individuals to join our Patrol teams as Police Constables through our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) program!

About the Role

As a Police Officer, you’ll step into a world where every day is different. You’ll be the first to respond to emergencies, offering vital support to those in need and working to keep our communities safe. This role requires courage, empathy and a deep commitment to serving others, often during the most challenging times of their lives.

Whether you’re fresh out of school or considering a career change, if you bring compassion, resilience, and strong communication skills, we want to hear from you! This role is all about people: listening, understanding, and providing the reassurance that truly makes a difference.

Your Career Journey

This isn’t just a job—it’s a life-changing experience. Over three years, you’ll combine hands‑on police work with academic study, earning a fully-funded BSc in Professional Policing Practice. And yes, you’ll be paid while you train, starting on a salary of £32,256, which increases to £34,971once you complete your initial training.-The pay scale has been recently updated and shortly our recruitment system will be update to reflect this new starting salary.

Your first 12 weeks will focus on professional training with our Learning Team and the University of the West of England. From there, you’ll join the Patrol team as an operational officer, stepping into the heart of frontline policing.

What You’ll Do

• Respond to a range of incidents, from road traffic collisions to antisocial behaviour, with professionalism and composure.
• Support victims of crime with empathy and compassion.
• Collaborate with skilled colleagues committed to creating safer communities.
• Engage with people from all walks of life, building trust and making a real impact.

Why Join Us?

When you join Avon and Somerset Police, you’re not just starting a career — you’re joining a community of passionate, dedicated professionals. Here’s what makes this role unique:

• Earn While You Learn: Our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) offers a fully-funded BSc in Professional Policing Practice, so you’ll graduate with a degree and invaluable experience, all while earning a competitive salary.
• An Inclusive Team Culture: You’ll work alongside diverse and supportive colleagues who will support you in reaching your full potential. The team you join values inclusivity and welcomes you to bring your authentic self to work every day.
• Excellent Benefits: Beyond the rewarding nature of police work, you’ll have access to the Police Pension Scheme, employee assistance programs for your wellbeing, shift allowances, and more.
• Supportive Community: We understand the demands of police work, which is why we prioritise your mental and emotional wellbeing. You’ll have access to mentoring programs, wellbeing initiatives, and continuous development opportunities to ensure you’re supported every step of the way.
• Career Development and Progression: We’re invested in your growth. Whether you want to specialise in areas like criminal investigation, public protection, or community engagement or aspire to leadership roles, we’ll provide the tools and guidance you need to succeed.
• Engage with the Community: As a Police Constable, you’ll connect with people from diverse backgrounds, building trust and creating positive change. Every day brings new experiences and the chance to make a meaningful difference.
• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy discounts on high‑street brands, travel, and leisure activities with the Blue Light Card, and benefit from student perks as a full‑time learner.

Be the Difference You Want to See

Avon and Somerset Police is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds, including individuals from ethnic and religious backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities or those who are neurodiverse, people from various socioeconomic backgrounds, and women. If you have a neurodiverse condition or a disability, let us know; we’re here to provide reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of what we do, creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can bring their whole, authentic self. Our staff associations offer guidance and support for officers and staff from all backgrounds, ensuring everyone feels valued. Additionally, our Positive Action and Talent Team offers dedicated assistance throughout the recruitment process, career development, and progression.

If you’d like more support, you can reach out to our team at [e-mail]

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If selected, you will be invited to attend a compulsory familiarisation event held which will either beat Portishead, Headquarters or Virtual via teams where you will learn more about the role and assessment process.

About us

Alongside your salary, you’ll be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), administered by Peninsula Pensions. This is a high‑quality defined benefit pension, providing a secure, inflation‑linked income for life, based on your earnings and length of service.

If you’re early in your career, it’s a valuable way to start building long‑term financial security from day one, with employer contributions that significantly boost the value of every pound you pay in.

If you’re more experienced, the scheme offers a level of certainty and stability that is now rare, helping you plan confidently for the future with predictable retirement income and benefits for your dependants.

Find out more: https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/local-government/

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset. We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

Click to; find out more about our benefits and culture

Closing Date

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.