Police Constable
Durham Constabulary’s police constable recruitment process has commenced, and application forms will now be accepted.
We are looking to recruit for training courses.
We are open for the following routes:
- Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PDCA)
- Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)
Closing for all applications is Friday 20th February, closing 5pm prompt.
The role
If you enjoy facing challenges, solving problems and would like to contribute to keeping your community safe while developing a wider range of skills, then policing could be for you.
As frontline police officer’s you will be the face of the constabulary supporting local communities, building relationships, and combating crime. It is a vital role and one that makes a tangible difference to the communities in which we serve.
It's a demanding and fast paced environment, but one that is incredibly rewarding for those looking to make a real difference. From providing community reassurance to making arrests, our officers are supporting the community 24 hours a day 365 days a year. You must be prepared to work a shift pattern, including nightshifts, work long hours, which will fall on Bank Holidays, Christmas, New Year and all Bank Holidays.
We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic people with a passion for serving the community and keeping the public safe. Our officers provide a vital frontline service for our community and visitors to County Durham and Darlington.
Salary: £31,164 - £50,256, plus 10% of the hourly rate between 8pm – 6am, when on shift.
Application process
To apply you will need to complete the below:
- Application form
You MUST send the following documents with your application where applicable, if you do not send all the appropriate paperwork with your application, it may be deemed as incomplete and will not be progressed, whereby you will fail the initial sift.
Original copies of Level 2 Maths and English certificates, GCSE A – C, 4 – 9 grades, or equivalent (PCDA & PCEP)
- Original copies of certificates for all Level 3 qualifications or above qualifications (PCDA & PCEP)
- Degree certificate (DHEP)
- Pictures of tattoos, if applicable
- Details of the national sift and online assessment centre score, valid within 24 months of application
Please ensure you send all the relevant above documents, all in the same email.
Police Constable Entry Programme Route (PCEP)
To be eligible to apply applicants must possess the following qualifications.
2 x A Levels or an NVQ Level 3 qualifications is a minimum.
GCSE Maths & English, A – C (9 – 4) grade
Degree Holder Entry Programme Route (DHEP)
To be eligible to apply applicants must possess the following qualifications.
Degree Holders, Level 6 with the following classifications Honours Level Degree (either First Class honours, Upper Second-Class Honours, Lower Second-Class Honours and Third-Class Honours).
Maths and English GCSE is not a requirement for the Degree Holder Entry Programme, however candidates applying - selected for these routes, your degree must include evidence of a written component.
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship Route (PCDA)
To be eligible to apply applicants must possess the following qualifications.
2 x A Levels or an NVQ Level 3 qualifications is a minimum, and in order to enrol onto the PCDA programme with Northumbria University you must be able to evidence a total of 112 UCAS points or higher. Plus, GCSE Maths & English, A – C (9 – 4) grade
For those candidates whose A Level qualifications/Level 3 may not reach 112 UCAS points, professional training or significant work experience may also considered to be equal to the above and in this instance, you MUST evidence your training/experience by completing and attaching the experiential learning form below. Please ensure you provide as much detail as possible regarding your professional roles, responsibilities, work-based training or activity that you believe to be relevant to this application.
Your UCAS tariff points can be made up of several different types of qualifications provided they are at the minimum Level 3 requirement.
Please ensure you check your qualifications UCAS points, you can utilise the UCAS calculation tool below to help you. If your UCAS points are less than 112 and you do not submit the experiential learning form this can delay the recruitment process for you.
Calculator for UCAS Tariff Points
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Certificates for your chosen route must be provided with your application form or we cannot progress your application.
If you have a valid online assessment score, valid within 24 months of sitting to submitting your application, we will also need evidence of this. Again, this must be sent with your initial application in order to progress your application.
Applications should be returned to this email only, [email protected] – hard copies will not be accepted.
The deadline for submission of applications is Friday 20th February 2026 by 5pm. Please do not leave to the last minute to complete and submit your application.
Please note that when we reach sufficient numbers of applications, we may close this process early.
What if I have studied abroad?
If you have studied a non-UK qualification, you can see how it compares to the standard entry criteria by reviewing Northumbria Universities website in relation to international qualifications www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry.
Also note you will be required to obtain a certified translation of qualifications if certificates are not issued in English, this will be at your own expense and must be available at date of submission of application.
Copies of all educational qualifications evidencing the above MUST be attached and submitted as part of your application. Please ensure you only send the relevant certificate as proof of the Level 3 or above. Where applicable we do need GCSE’s, Level 2 qualifications but for Maths and English only.
Tattoos
It is Durham Constabulary's policy that if someone is applying for what is a public facing role and they have tattoos which can’t be covered by normal work clothes/standard uniform apparel, the practical effect is that they are likely to be prevented from passing the ‘paper sift’ at the application stage.
Tattoos on face, neck, or hands (beyond the cuff) are not permitted. However, some small tattoos around your wrist or to side of palm for instance may be permitted but would be reviewed via an internal scrutiny panel.
Photographs of tattoos in such areas would therefore need to be included as part of the application process (see application form for further details).
Driving licence
Candidates must possess a full current driving licence at the point of application. This must be for a manually operated motor vehicle.
Should you hold a provisional licence and automatic licence only you cannot apply.
What happens next?
The first stage following receipt of your application documents will be an initial sift by Durham Constabulary, should you fail this stage you will be advised by email.
Should you be successful you will progress to the College of Policing National Sift - online, which includes a situational judgement test and behavioural style questionnaire, Once assessed you will receive email notification confirming the outcome.
If successful, you will then progress to the online assessment process. This will include
- Competency based video interview
- Written exercise and briefing exercise
The online assessment centre will be held from March 2026.
An individual’s overall online assessment score will determine whether they will then proceed to the final interview stage of the recruitment process.
Interviews will be held at Police Headquarters during March & April 2026
Course start date of are 3rd August 2026 (PCEP Only) and 28th September 2026 (DHEP & PCDA Only)
Please note all candidates are subjected to a fitness test, and full medical from our occupational health department. The department will follow home office guidance: National recruitment standards - medical standards for police recruitment - GOV.UK on suitability for the role.
If you have a valid online assessment centre score, dated within the last 24 months you will process directly to the final interview stage. This must be evidenced and submitted with your initial application.
Please direct any queries to Human Resources on 0191 3752124 or [email protected].
Good luck with your application.
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