DC DHEP (Detective Constable Degree Holder Entry Programme)
Become a Detective - Direct Entry Programme for Graduates
Use your degree to fight crime and make a real impact
SALARY RANGE - £29,907 - £48,231
Are you ready to start a meaningful career where no two days are the same? Join us as a Direct Entry Detective and use your education, curiosity, and determination to tackle some of society’s most serious crimes.
We’re recruiting graduates from any discipline to train as detectives through our Direct Entry Programme – no prior policing experience required. If you apply to this campaign, we would be aiming for you to commence on the programme in early 2026.
As a student police officer, year 1 will be spent in initial training, working on response and volume crime investigations. In year 2 you will move to an investigate team where you will work on more serious and complex cases and progress towards a Detective accreditation.
As a Detective, you’ll investigate crimes such as domestic abuse, sexual offences, serious assaults, robbery, child abuse and serious organised crime. You’ll be on the front line of complex investigations from day one, supported by comprehensive training and mentoring to help you succeed.
Typical activities Detectives are involved in include: arresting suspects; searching premises; house to house and cctv enquiries; interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects; reviewing digital evidence; preparing case files; supporting victims and working with partner agencies.
This 2-year programme will see you:-
- Complete the student officer portfolio to be confirmed in rank as a police officer
- Pass the National Investigators Exam
- Complete the Detective Development Portfolio to be confirmed as a Detective
- Obtain a diploma in Professional Policing Practice
Here at Warwickshire Police we have a strong family ethos, where our friendly teams work closely together to get the job done and where you will be treated as a valued member of the team.
What we offer:
- A structured 2-year training and development programme
- Full salary while you train – starting from £29,907
- Nationally recognised accreditation as a Detective Constable
- A unique, rewarding career with real responsibility and purpose
- The opportunity to work on high-impact cases that protect the public and deliver justice
Who we’re looking for:
- Graduates (Bachelor’s degree or above in any subject)
- People with strong problem-solving, communication, and emotional intelligence skills.
- Individuals who are resilient, ethical, and thrive under pressure
- Team players who are also capable of working independently and making critical decisions.
- People wanting to put the public first
Start your journey towards a detective career that challenges, inspires, and makes a difference.
We strongly recommend that you attend one of our recruitment events to gain further insight into the role from our current Detectives. More information about our upcoming events and other information for your awareness about the Programme will be published on our website: Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) | Warwickshire Police
At the time of application, candidates must have a full UK driver's licence OR be working towards achieving this before the start date and must have achieved, or are due to graduate in the year you are applying, with a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Please ensure that you upload the copies of your relevant qualification certificates onto your application form when you complete it.
Next Steps.....
We will check over your application form to ensure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements and if eligible to apply, you will be sent an automated invitation email for you to complete an online National Sift process involving two exercises:
- Situational judgement test (SJT)
- 15 scenarios
- 4 responses per scenario – candidates will rate responses in terms of effectiveness
- Behavioural style questionnaire (BSQ)
- 80 statements
As this is a nationally led selection process, you will be required to register on the system separately, however it is an extremely short registration process!
You will have 7 days to complete the exercises. These can be completed in any order you prefer, and at any time of day, 24/7, during that time.
Reasonable Adjustments: The national sift is not timed, therefore no reasonable adjustments are required. It is automatically compatible with text to speech software, changes to background colour and coloured overlays.
If you are unsuccessful you will be provided with feedback and will be eligible to re-apply after three months, however, you are only able to complete the national sift twice within a rolling 12 month period.
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If successful at the national sift you would then be required to complete an assessment centre, which you would be booked onto and have a week to complete it.
The assessment centre is designed to measure the behaviours and values required for the role of police constable as set out in the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). You can find out more about the CVF here:
Competency and values framework (CVF) | College of Policing
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If you are successful at the above stages you will then move to an in person, formal interview.
If successful here, we then progress you onto our pre employment checks which includes, references, vetting, fitness test and medical.
Please see the below link for fitness test guidance from the college of policing:
Job-related fitness standards | College of Policing
For further guidance on the recruitment process:
Police officers | Warwickshire Police
For any further queries, please contact the recruitment team at recruitmentsupport@warwickshire.police.uk
Good luck with your application!