Police Officer - Direct Entry Detective Constable Programme - HC619974

This advert relates to our Direct Entry Detective Constable (DEDC) programme, which provides candidates the opportunity to become an accredited detective within two years. Initial training for this programme will commence in November 2025.

We open this challenging programme for a limited time each year to ensure we attract the best candidates and provide dedicated support to your development.

The DEDC programme is a competitive process and only a select number of applicants will be successful. If you meet the core requirements of a Police Constable throughout the process, but do not make it onto the DEDC programme, you may revert to a PC pathway and still have the opportunity to accredit as a detective within three years on our internal routes. There is no need to apply for the PC pathway at the same time as this.

Please note, this advert will close once we have sufficient interest.

What does a detective do?

Detective Constables are police officers performing one of the most demanding, but also rewarding roles in policing. Detectives Constables are the same rank as Police Constables but undertake different roles. As a detective you will deal with the most serious and complex crime including serious assault, homicide, fraud, robbery and serious and organised crime.

Detectives will investigate by gathering and analysing evidence in some of the most challenging circumstances. They solve cases by being tenacious, inquisitive and having an unwavering sense of duty to reach the truth.

What does the training look like?

Your initial training will provide you with core policing knowledge, and equip you to take the National Investigators Exam. This exam tests your legal knowledge and we will provide you with support to give you the best chance of success.

You will then be attached to our uniform emergency response teams where you will practice core policing skills and be supported towards independent patrol status. After this, you will move to our investigative teams where you will have a number of attachments to equip you to become a detective. On completion of these, you will attend our detective training and the remaining part of your two years will be investigating serious and complex crime and becoming accredited as a detective.

What are we looking for?

If you are looking to challenge yourself in a fast-paced and rewarding environment, read below to make sure you are eligible to apply.

Eligibility requirements. You must have:

• A full manual driving licence must be held upon application.
• A Bachelor’s degree or overseas equivalent as recognised by UK NARIC / UK ENIC. This can be in any subject. Please note, you are still eligible to apply if you are in your final year of study, however your application will be paused at the point of conditional offer of employment, until your results are confirmed.
• Have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to application.
• Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or similar organisation.
• Not have tattoos which could cause offence.
• Be a British or Commonwealth citizen, or an EC/European Economic Area national, or a foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted. Be able to pass the Job Related Fitness Test.

Attributes of a detective

A detective skillset is developed over years of training and experience, but the following attributes are key:

• Critical analysis
• Taking ownership
• Ability to work under time pressure

Recruitment Process

This programme requires several stages of assessments, and can take a number of months, during which you can expect the following:

• Eligibility checks
• College of Policing online assessments
• Application questions to be marked
• In-house assessment day including but not limited to:
  • Job related fitness test (JRFT) (5.4 on the bleep test)
  • Interview
  • Presentation
  • Group discussion
• Pre-employment checks which include:
  • A medical
  • Vetting
  • References
• Initial postings – this can be anywhere in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Preferences are taken, however there is no guarantee that you will be allocated to your preferred location.

Pay & conditions

Your starting full time salary will be over £31,907 (which includes £2000 South-East allowance) plus benefits and will rise to over £50,000 after seven years.

There are lots of lateral opportunities for career development, and you can progress as a Detective Sergeant, Detective Inspector and beyond through our clear promotion framework.

In addition our benefits include:

• Generous annual leave allowance (starting at 22 days a year rising to up to 27);
• Retail, food and leisure discounts through Hampshire Police Leisure & Sports and Blue Light Card;
• Excellent wellbeing support including access to counselling and physiotherapy;
• Assisted further education;
• Gym facilities at several of our buildings;
• Access to supportive and active staff groups, networks, associations and bespoke neurodiversity support.

Want more info?

Recruitment team

Please contact the Recruitment Team via email: police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk or call 023 8045 1611.

Positive action

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognises that being representative of all the communities we serve will help us to deliver a more effective operational policing service. We, therefore, welcome and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.

To ensure every potential candidate has an equal opportunity, we offer support and guidance from the start. Whether you are just thinking about a role within Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary or have already applied, our Positive Action Team can assist you. For more information please email: positive.action@hampshire.police.uk

Want to speak to a detective to know more about the role?

If you want to have a 15 minutes teams call with a detective to ask your questions you can check the availability by clicking here:

Please note that the email address you supply when submitting an application will be used for contact throughout the full lifecycle of that vacancy. You will not be able to amend your contact details. You should therefore ensure that you choose an appropriately accessible email address, being mindful that the process may take several months for some roles.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is an inclusive employer and strives to have a workforce representative of the communities we police and serve. We recognise that we are not fully representative and are working to address this imbalance through a variety of initiatives.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is an equal opportunities employer that positively promotes flexible working, enabling officers and staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance whilst meeting operational requirements of the constabulary. We actively encourage applications to be made on a full time, part time or flexible working basis.

The Equality Act 2010 allows us to promote equality within Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary by adopting Positive Action to support people from under-represented groups. Our aim is to recruit talented people with a diverse range of skills and experience and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our Positive Action team are available to provide support through the application and assessment process by contacting: positive.action@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

The Disability Confident campaign aims to remove barriers, increase understanding and ensure that people have opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We will accommodate requests for reasonable adjustments where possible throughout our recruitment and promotions processes and encourage anyone requiring reasonable adjustments to disclose this at the earliest opportunity.