Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)


Posted on 1st Sep 2025

Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)

Are you looking for a career like no other? Do you want the opportunity to use your degree while gaining hands-on experience from day one? If so, join West Midlands Police through our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).
 

As a Police Constable, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, protecting the vulnerable, and tackling crime. This is a challenging but hugely rewarding career where no two days are ever the same.

About the DHEP Programme

  • Graduate Route, open to graduates in any subject, this programme allows you to train as a Police Constable while studying for a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing.
  • Two-Year Programme, a balance of in-house training, university-led learning, and frontline policing.
  • Blended Learning, classroom teaching (delivered at WMP sites and virtually) is combined with on-the-job experience and digital study.
  • Ongoing Support, you’ll receive guidance and mentoring from experienced officers throughout.
  • Future Opportunities – Once you’ve completed your two-year probation, you’ll have access to a wide range of career paths, including specialist units (Firearms, Dogs, Roads Policing, Investigations, Drones) and progression into leadership roles.

Please note: This is not a direct Detective route. However, after initial training, you may apply to join our Detective Academy pathway.

What’s in it for you?

  • Starting salary: £29,907, rising annually up to £48,231 within seven years.
  • Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing (on successful completion).
  • 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after five years.
  • Extensive benefits, including a pension scheme, employee support, staff networks, and professional development opportunities. See our benefits webpage for more details.
  • A career that matters, make a lasting impact on communities while developing your skills and future.

Who can apply?

You must have:

  • A degree (Level 6 or above) in any subject, at any grade, OR
  • Be in the final academic year of your degree (eligibility dependent on completion).

Only final degree certificates will be accepted, these must be uploaded with your application.

Fitness, Medical & Vetting 

  • Must meet the bleep test standard of 5.4. 
  • Must pass medical checks, which may include drug and fitness testing. 
  • Must pass our required vetting checks. See our Vetting FAQ for more information.

Residency & Nationality

  • Lived in the UK for the past three years.
  • Must be a British, Irish, or EEA national, or have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

Application Process

  • Our careers website provides a step by step breakdown of the application process.
  • Training & Probation – A two-year blended learning programme combining policing experience with academic study.

     

More Information Application Help

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