Durham Constabulary

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Job Opportunities

Durham Constabulary are not currently accepting transferee applications for police officers.

Durham Constabulary's 1,705 officers are supported by over 650 members of police staff and 106 special constables.

Police Staff

Durham Constabulary relies on the support and dedication of over 650 members of police staff. We value all of our staff as indicated by our accreditation to Investors in People and aim to operate a one-employee culture. More information on Police Staff.

View current vacancies and apply online.

Police Constables

As a probationer constable, your personal self-development will be assured by a comprehensive training and development programme. This continues on completion of your probation with regular appraisals and opportunities to for you to progress your career.

One of the most important roles is that of the uniformed constable, protecting and reassuring our communities. In particular the designated beat officer has ownership of a particular area to patrol and works closely with other partners in the community to resolve local problems.

Other career development may take the form of working in the areas of criminal investigation, intelligence, child and family protection, traffic, firearms, dog section, training, community safety and youth offending. There are opportunities for promotion and full support will be given to applicants to the High Potential Development Scheme.

Police Officer Entry Requirements

Check out if you are eligible to join before completing an application form.

Visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk

We are searching for women and men over the age of 18 years from a wide range of backgrounds. You must be physically fit and able to pass the national eyesight and medical standards.

We welcome applicants from black and minority ethnic groups.

You must demonstrate sound common sense, good communication skills, and an ability to work under your own initiative, and as part of a team. Personal qualities, which include integrity, honesty and a determination to serve the people of County Durham and Darlington, are essential. There is no minimum standard of education.

We prefer officers to reside in the Force area, however there is some flexibility depending upon the distance involved.

Candidates must be prepared to resign from the Special Constabulary, Military Adult Voluntary Reserve Forces. These are defined as the TA., the Royal Naval reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Please note the Chief Constable has the right to reject your application at any stage in the process, without giving reason.

How to apply

Durham Constabulary are not currently issuing application forms for the post of Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer.

Please keep checking the website for details of any future recruitment, no dates are currently set.


Selection Process

The selection process is divided into 3 phases

  1. Application Form
  2. Assessment Centre (held locally)
  3. Fitness Test

Please visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk and click on Selection Process for full details of the national selection process. Make sure you are well prepared for each stage.

If you need any help, ring the recruitment team on 0345 60 60 365.


Firearms officers in Durham Constabulary

Durham Constabulary does not have a centralised Firearms Unit. The majority of AFO`s are posted to the RPU providing or backfilling the ARV function.

Durham Constabulary is half way through a `joint project` with our neighbouring force Cleveland Police with a view to achieving harmonisation and greater interoperability in the provision of operational firearms services. The project aims to achieve standardisation of all policies, procedures and equipment ranging from the firearms used by and personal protection equipment issued to all AFO`s across both forces. For 6 years AFO`s of both forces have trained together and `harmonising` operational practices is seen as a natural progression of this close working relationship.

The project will culminate in the submission of a business case to the Executive officers of both forces. One of the options presented in this business case will be to create a `joint` full time firearms unit with Cleveland Police, but this is outside the remit of the current project.

Transferring to Durham as an AFO?

Transferring to Durham Constabulary can only happen at a time when the force is recruiting. There is no direct route to transfer as an AFO to bypass the normal transfer application process.

However at the time of transfer to Durham Constabulary, if there are any vacancies within a firearms role, you may be able to retain and enhance your aquired firearms skills within the force, subject to satisfactory assessment by our Chief Firearms Instructor.

Acquiring AFO status within Durham Constabulary.

On joining Durham Constabulary any officer who is not a current AFO will be able to apply to become an AFO in response to any advertised vacancy for such. The success of any initial application to become an AFO will be dependant on the officer meeting all of the requirements of the following selection criteria.

Any officer requiring further information in relation to becoming a firearms officer within Durham Constabulary should, in the first instance, contact the Firearms Logistics Department at Police HQ Durham on 0191-3752109/3752366 or Inspector Ken Cook (ken.cook@durham.pnn.police.uk) or Sgt Jon Curtis (jon.curtis@durham.pnn.police.uk).