Apprenticeship non-degree entry
If you decide to take this route – known as the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) – you will be a police officer from the first day. With the recently agreed 7% pay increase for all Police Officers, the starting salary is now £28,551 and you'll have the potential to earn up to £46,044 in just six years. That means, gaining a degree you don't have to pay for, while working in the job as a police officer.
Entrants receive practical on-the-job training alongside academic theory and knowledge while earning.
This is a structured three year programme, after successful completion you are awarded a degree in professional policing practice at no cost to yourself. A £30,000 degree, fully funded by Northants Police.
Assessment of academic and operational competence is ongoing throughout the programme and carried out through a collaborative partnership between the force and one or more learning providers such as a university.
Education and development during this year is at academic level 4, with the aim of preparing officer for operational deployment with the support of a tutor or mentor. This is to enable you to achieve independent patrol status (IPS), which must happen by the end of year one.
The second year see officers take a significant step forward in the development of a highly skilled, multi competent police constable – academic level 5.
The apprentice will undertake advanced learning across five areas:
- Response policing
- Community policing
- Policing the roads
- Information and intelligence
- Conducting investigations
During year three the officer will undertake advanced learning, development and professional practice at academic level 6, associated within a chosen specialism from the five areas of professional practice covered in year two.
An officer's education will culminate in the completion of an evidence based research project and a reflective piece in the form of a presentation. Alongside the academic assessment, individual’s operational performance and competence will be assessed via the completion of an operational competence portfolio. Together they will form part of an End Point Assessment (this is an external site).
Hear from some of our current PCDA officers
Current vacancies
Our recruitment window for applications to the Police Constable Apprenticeship (PCDA) entry route is now closed.
Use the link below to see current vacancies with Northamptonshire Police.
For further information and support email: [email protected]
