Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP)

The when, the how, the why. These are the questions a detective asks because crime is changing and we are adapting how our detectives are made.

Question the evidence, establish the facts, complete the investigation. Detectives deal with serious and complex investigations. From major assaults, domestic abuse or fraud, to burglary, robbery and knife crime.

There's murder, mystery, and intrigue. While managing their own investigations, detectives support major crimes like murder. Where people see nothing, you see clues, you see breadcrumbs, you see evidence. you identify and analyse evidence, talk to witnesses and interrogate suspects.

There are real people, real victims of crime, and you have a real opportunity to save lives, protect victims, and bring offenders to justice.

There's crime, there's drama, there's suspense. Detecting real crime isn't like TV, the evidence isn't obvious, which is why we're looking for people who have the skills to analyse the situation, to understand what the evidence says and establish the facts.

Uncover your skills as a detective. We're looking for driven individuals to become detectives and help us investigate some of the most serious and complex crimes in the county.

Start our demanding trainee detective programme now. This could be your first major breakthrough.

As a detective, you will be involved in serious and complex investigations. The investigations will be varied, ranging from serious assaults, domestic abuse and fraud, to burglary, robbery and knife crime.

You could be working to safeguard a child or adult, ensuring you get the right outcome for victims. As well as managing your own investigations you will also support on major crimes like murder. Your role will involve identifying and analysing evidence, talking to witnesses and interviewing offenders.

It isn’t like the shows we might watch on TV but it isn’t a desk job either. You will talk to different people and have the skills to deal with some difficult situations.

We police the county 24/7, so you will be expected to work shifts.

As a trainee detective constable, you will start a two year probationary period. Firstly, we will equip you with the knowledge and skills required of all police officers – like officer safety training, understanding key powers and procedures, making arrests – these are all vital skills regardless of which specialism you go into.

This period will include being tutored and going out on patrol on response policing with a tutor constable, before eventually going out on independent patrol. 

After this, we aim to have you posted to CID. In this investigative environment you will put your learning into practice. Over the remainder of your training period, you will work towards your trainee detective constable status.

You will be required to complete and pass the National Investigators Exam and Detective Training Course.

You will have you own investigations ranging from robberies and arsons, to serious assaults and complex fraud. You will also support major investigations into sexual assaults and murder.

At the end of your training period, once you pass, you will be successfully confirmed into the rank of police constable and will become a trainee detective constable.

While you will manage your own investigations, you will be part of a wider team, responding to crimes, victims and witnesses. You will work alongside some of the best and most experienced detectives and tutors, who will provide support around how best to develop, learn and grow.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with the passion, skills and drive to make a difference. If you have a resilient investigative mind-set, pay close attention to detail and a strong desire to help others, then this is for you.

As well as the varied and fulfilling work you will undertake, you will also start on a competitive salary, which from September 1, 2024 will start at £29,907 and can rise to £48,231.

Northamptonshire Police has a strong commitment to equality and diversity, striving to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

To protect people, fight crime and bring offenders to justice, Northamptonshire Police seeks to attract, recruit, develop and retain the best talent from the widest pool of people.

Our application process is open to everyone, and we regularly run positive action workshops to help people make the most of their application to us.

Find out more about diversity, equality, inclusion and positive action.

We also have a direct email contact where you can find out more: [email protected]

Being a police officer can be demanding and while you don’t need to be a marathon runner to join, you do need to be relatively fit and healthy to cope with the demands of the job.

Fitness

You will need to pass a fitness test. It’s called the 'bleep test'. You will be required to run up and down a 15-metre track in time with the ‘bleep’. At the end of each level the time between bleeps gets shorter, meaning you have to run faster. The whole test takes three minutes and 40 seconds and covers a total of 525 metres. Level 5 is run at a speed of 10k/hr from line to line. You also need to factor in stopping, turning and accelerating away.

We’ve got tips to help you prepare. If you fail on your first attempt, don’t worry you can try twice more. Find out more on the College of Policing website.

The below video gives more information about the fitness test.