Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)

West Midlands Police; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 31,164 - 50,256; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after five years

Pension scheme

Employee support

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A UK police force is looking for candidates to join their Degree Holder Entry Programme to work as Police Constables. This role involves protecting communities, tackling crime, and gaining hands-on experience while studying for a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing. Applicants must hold a degree or be in their final year, with a starting salary of £31,164 and extensive benefits including career progression opportunities. Candidates should meet fitness and medical standards as part of the application process.

Qualifications

• Must have a Level 6 degree or higher in any subject.
• Eligibility for final year students dependent on completion.
• Must meet fitness standards and pass medical checks.

Responsibilities

• Play a vital role in keeping communities safe.
• Protect the vulnerable and tackle crime.
• Train as a Police Constable while studying for a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing.

Skills

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Degree in any subject

Job description

Are you looking for a career like no other? Do you want the opportunity to use your degree while gaining hands‑on experience from day one? If so, join West Midlands Police through our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP). As a Police Constable, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, protecting the vulnerable, and tackling crime. This is a challenging but hugely rewarding career where no two days are ever the same.

If you already have an active application to become a Police Officer, please do not submit another. You can log into Oracle to check the progress of your existing application. If you were successful in becoming a Police Officer within the past 3 months, please do not reapply. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept new applications if you were unsuccessful within the past 3 months.

About the DHEP Programme

• Graduate Route, open to graduates in any subject, this programme allows you to train as a Police Constable while studying for a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing.
• Two‑Year Programme, a balance of in‑house training, university‑led learning, and frontline policing.
• Blended Learning, classroom teaching (delivered at WMP sites and virtually) is combined with on‑the‑job experience and digital study.
• Ongoing Support, you’ll receive guidance and mentoring from experienced officers throughout.
• Future Opportunities – Once you’ve completed your two‑year probation, you’ll have access to a wide range of career paths, including specialist units (Firearms, Dogs, Roads Policing, Investigations, Drones) and progression into leadership roles.

Please note: This is not a direct Detective route. However, after initial training, you may apply to join our Detective Academy pathway.

What’s in it for you?

• Starting salary:£31,164.00, rising annually up to£50,256.00 within seven years.
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing (on successful completion).
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after five years.
• Extensive benefits, including a pension scheme, employee support, staff networks, and professional development opportunities. See our benefits webpage for more details.
• A career that matters, make a lasting impact on communities while developing your skills and future.

Who can apply?

You must have:

• A degree (Level 6 or above) in any subject, at any grade, OR
• Be in the final academic year of your degree (eligibility dependent on completion).

Only final degree certificates will be accepted, these must be uploaded with your application.

Fitness, Medical & Vetting

• Must meet the bleep test standard of 5.4.
• Must pass medical checks, which may include drug and fitness testing.
• Must pass our required vetting checks. See our Vetting FAQ for more information.

Residency & Nationality

• Lived in the UK for the past three years.
• Must be a British, Irish, or EEA national, or have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

Application Process

• Our careers website provides a step by step breakdown of the application process.
• Training & Probation – A two‑year blended learning programme combining policing experience with academic study.