Detective Constable Entry Programme

The Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) is replacing the Detective Degree Holder Programme (DDHEP) and is a new and exciting opportunity if you are considering a career as a Detective.

The DCEP will help ensure forces are able to best represent the communities they serve. It’s an opportunity to embark on an extraordinary two and a half year journey, where you’ll go from being a student officer to a Detective constable.

Unlike the DC DHEP, DCEP is a non-accredited pathway into policing that is designed for candidates with or without a degree. No academic award is granted at the end, instead, the training combines practical “on-the-job” experience, classroom sessions, scenario-based training, virtual learning, and assessments, which will equip you with the skills and experience you need to meet the demands of modern policing.

The curriculum for all entry routes has been modernised to equip officers with the skills needed to meet the complex policing challenges we face today, whilst contributing to a positive policing culture.

You will also sit the National Investigators’ Examination to become a fully accredited Detective. You will be employed as a Police Officer from day one and receive a starting salary of £31,907 and includes a £2,000 South East allowance with the potential to rise to £52,231 (including a South East allowance of £2,000) within the first seven years.

The course combines practical “on the job” training with academic learning, allowing you to ‘earn while you learn’.

We are only as good as our people. It's really important to us that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we believe that as an organisation we will benefit from the variety of thinking, approaches and skills which diversity can bring; all of which helps us to deliver a better policing service.

We have worked hard to create a safe, open and inclusive culture. To find out more visit our Inclusion page.