Professional Policing Degree

If you already have a Professional Policing Degree (PPD), also known as the Pre-join, then this is the route for you!

To be eligible to apply, you will have taken a three-year BSc Professional Policing programme offered by universities that are licensed and validated to deliver the degree by the College of Policing. Check if your university is on the approved list.

Your application to the role as a police officer will be conditional on graduating successfully and passing all stages of the force's recruitment process. We will need to see a copy of your certificate prior to appointment in the role. Please note: You must apply to join the force within five years of your graduation.

If successful, you will start your two-year probationary period and also be required to attend our training centre before being assessed on the core areas of policing.

Once you have completed your additional training you will be placed onto an operational policing team with a Tutor Constable where you will be required to demonstrate competence in the police constable role and record your evidence in an operational competence portfolio (OCP). You will be with your tutor for up to 12 weeks after which you will be given independent patrol status and expected to continue to demonstrate competence as police constable during your remaining probationary period.  

On successful completion of your probationary period your appointment as a police constable will be confirmed.

Eligibilty criteria

You must be at least 17 to apply. You must be 18 at the time of appointment.

• Applicants should be British citizens, or passport holders from a full EU Member State. You can also apply if you're a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.
• You must have lived in the UK for three continuous years immediately prior to application.
• You will have achieved a Professional Policing Degree Level 6 to an Honours level and be within five years of your graduation
• Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) plus other organisations such as Combat 18 or The National Front.
• If you have a criminal record, this doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible; it depends on the nature of your conviction. Please declare any caution or conviction on your application form. Failure to do so will result in failing vetting due to integrity issues.
• You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts (excluding student loans), have outstanding County Court Judgements against you, or be subject to a current Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).
• Tattoos which are offensive, garish, prominent or numerous are not acceptable. Please supply photos and measurements of any tattoos along with your application, as per application guidance.
• You must hold a full manual driving licence prior to commencing with Durham Constabulary.

How to apply

Check our vacancies page for details on current recruitment.