PCEP DC pathway

The current salary is £28,551 - £46,044 (from 1st September 2023)

Our detective police constable entry programme, or PCEP DC pathway programme, is a two-year programme, which enables a successful applicant to gain the knowledge skills and behaviours required to be a Police Officer, whilst specialising in the second year in a CID placement as a Trainee Detective.

This route is for those who would like to work as a detective constable for Cumbria Constabulary.

To be eligible for this role you will need -

A level 3 or 2 A Levels or equivalent qualification in any subject as part of the pre-employment checks.

Or

Are currently serving, or have previous work experience in the following areas within the last 5 years (from the date of your application). Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and all previous experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis:

• Armed forces
• Border force
• Criminal justice sector/CPS/courts
• Cyber/digital and financial fraud crimes
• Emergency services
• Health and social care sectors
• Justice and law enforcement sectors
• Police staff, particularly custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles and investigative roles
• PCSO or Special Constable
• Prison service
• Professional services/project management
• Teaching
• Youth work

Please note we require candidates to have a full manual UK driving licence in order to apply.

To be accepted onto the PCEP DC entry route, candidates have to meet the Constabulary's detective entry route eligibility criteria and successfully pass the stages of the Constabulary's police officer recruitment process.

The PCEP DC Programme involves a two year training programme with course work, assessments and examinations. This coincides with serving as a student training constable, with active frontline duties within Cumbria Constabulary.  The first year will be spent as a response Officer and the second year of the programme is a placement in CID as a Trainee Detective.

Successful officers will complete the Police Constable Entry Programme. Officers will also undertake the National Investigators Examination (NIE), Tier 2 Interview Course and the PIP2 programme. (Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) 2: Serious and complex crime.)

As per police regulations an officer can apply for part time working and the request will be considered following the initial delivery phase and the officer is confirmed as independent in post. Should an officer move to part time working during their probationary period, the length of the probationary period will be extended on a pro-rata basis.

The academic learning for the PCEP DC entry route is Cumbria Constabulary.

Student officers working towards a PCEP DC Pathway will receive support from officers and staff from the Police Training team at Cumbria Constabulary and will be supported with the operational role, by the Area Professional Development Units (Area PDU).

The detective PCEP pathway is two years long programme, during the first year you will be in uniform as a response Officer and in the second year you will have a CID placement as a trainee detective.

These two years will be your probation as a student officer as well.

After the two years you will be confirmed in post and complete and your probation as a Police Constable, continuing  in CID to complete your detective accreditations in your third year of service.

During the Detective PCEP programme the majority of your time will be spent in force on frontline duties.

You will also receive protected learning time in order to achieve the Occupational Competence Portfolio and complete the PCEP programme assessments. In the second year whilst on your CID placement, you will receive protected time to complete your National Investigators Exam (NIE), Tier 2 interviewing Course and PIP 2 Course.

Each recruit is allocated a tutor while they learn. Your tutor will provide you with support via email and face-to-face meetings at the Constabulary's HQ in Penrith.

Recruits on the PCEP DC pathway programme are assessed on their practical work, assessments, course work and exams.

Before new recruits join the detective pathway, candidates will be required to pass a national sift through the College of Policing. You will then take part in the assessment centre, followed by a interview over Microsoft Teams.

There are also vetting and fitness tests that need to be passed before being enrolled onto the detective pathway programme (note places are limited in each intake, enrolment onto the course is subject to availability and, should the programme be popular, candidates may experience a waiting period before being offered a place).

To apply to the police service you must be at least 17 years old. You must be 18 at the time of appointment. Please note you require a degree to be applicable for this programme.

All taught block and lessons will be delivered at a Cumbria Constabulary site, usually at Carleton Hall in Penrith.

At the end of your course, you will have a graduation ceremony.