Police Constable Entry Programme - Detective Constable (PCEP DC) February 2026
Job Title: Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) - Detective Constable
Salary: Starting Salary: £31,164 per annum (increasing to a minimum of £33,789 after 2 years, and £50,256 after 6 years if you remain in the police constable rank, subject to performance).
Location: Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees
Working pattern: Shift work – 24 hour shift patterns, including nights, weekends and Bank Holidays
Are you ready to begin a policing career focused on investigations, evidence gathering and problem solving dealing with complex crimes?
This route is for people who want to be a Detective Constable through the 2 year Police Constable Entry Programme – Detective Constable. The role involves 24/7 shift work and offers comprehensive training, a competitive salary and pension, and excellent opportunities for career development and progression.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Those on the Detective route protect vulnerable people and investigate serious crime across West Yorkshire, playing a vital role in bringing offenders to justice and providing closure for victims and families. You will work in specialist investigation teams within Safeguarding, Criminal Investigation or District Investigations, tackling complex and challenging cases.
Key Duties Include:
• Investigate a range of crimes, progressing to more serious and complex cases.
• Use investigative tools and techniques in both community and office settings. Gather and develop intelligence to support investigations.
• Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects using approved methods (e.g. PEACE).
• Manage and present evidence in line with legal and procedural requirements. Prepare high quality case files for supervisors, CPS, and court processes.
• Attend scenes, secure evidence, and safeguard those involved.
• Support investigations by tracing suspects, conducting searches, and taking statements.
• Work collaboratively with uniformed teams, CID, partners, and complete required training and portfolio work.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues and communities across West Yorkshire
• Operate 24-hour shift patterns, including nights and weekends
• Make critical decisions that can have a lasting impact on people’s lives
Expectations:
Members of the public expect West Yorkshire Police to recruit people who demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct, honesty, and integrity. We are looking for individuals who can:
• Deliver a high-quality, professional service at all times
• Be quick-thinking problem solvers and strong team players
• Communicate effectively with the public and colleagues
• Show resilience under pressure
• Demonstrate our Force Values: integrity, fairness, and respect
• Uphold the Policing Code of Ethics: public service, courage, respect, and empathy
After appointment, you will complete 17 weeks of initial training at West Yorkshire Police training facilities in Wakefield. You will then join an investigation team within Safeguarding, Criminal Investigation or District Investigations across one of the five West Yorkshire districts; Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds or Wakefield.
Following this, you will have 10 weeks’ mentorship on a uniform team at District before moving on to a specialist investigation team within the district. Upon successful completion of your two year training period, you will begin the intensive Trainee Investigator Development Programme, which focuses on building essential investigative skills, developing a portfolio of evidence, and completing the National Investigator Exam, leading to accreditation as a Detective Constable.
Essential Criteria:
All applicants for any police officer pathway must meet the following criteria at the application stage:
• Be at least 17 years of age, 18 at the time you are appointed to the role
• Be a British Citizen, or an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) national, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status and no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom
• Be a UK resident for the last three years
• Hold a full manual or automatic UK driving licence by the time of formal offer
• Pass the vetting process (applications from people with cautions or convictions are unlikely to be accepted)
• Be ready, willing and able to pass the job related fitness test (follow link: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/medical-fitness-standards-preparing-for-your-assessment#fitness)
• Be in good health and pass a medical examination
• Pass a drugs test
• Have a Level 2 / GCSE (A*-C or 9-4) or equivalent qualification in English Language and Maths.
• Possess a level 3 qualification within the meaning of Section 3 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 or equivalent (i.e. 2 x A/AS Levels Grade A to E, GNVQ/NVQ Level 3, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent). You must have received a confirmed result to be eligible to apply, we are not accepting predicted grades at this time.
• If you do not hold a Level 3 qualification but can demonstrate having the qualifications and/or experience as detailed in Police Regulations 2003, Regulation 10, Annex BA (i.e. you are a serving Special Constable or PCSO and have attained independent patrol status) then consideration will be given to your application.
For the full eligibility criteria, visit: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/police-officers/police-constable-entry-programme-detective).
How to Apply:
We currently anticipate that successful applicants will be considered for courses starting mid-2026.
To be accepted, you must meet all of the essential criteria and be prepared to commit to an extensive and intensive training programme. The recruitment process is demanding and requires timely responses to requests for information and attendance at appointments, as delays may affect your start date.
We are also currently recruiting to our Police Constable Entry Programme - Uniformed Constable (PCEP PC) entry route. For more information about this route, visit https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/police-officers/police-constable-entry-programme-uniform
You may only apply for one entry route. Please be aware that West Yorkshire Police are unable to support applicants switching between entry routes.
For more information about the different pathways we offer, please visit https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/jobs-volunteer/police-officers before applying.
This vacancy is scheduled to close on 4th March 2026, but this date may change dependent on the number of application received.