Frequently Asked Questions

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

The new national entry route for police officers. You join the force on the PCDA for a minimum of three years. You’ll earn while you learn and gain a Level 6 Degree in Professional Policing Practice with the opportunity to potentially specialise in your third year.

Degree Holder Entry programme (DHEP)

For those who already have a degree in any discipline (other than the Professional Policing Degree) the DHEP is a two-year work-based training programme supported by off-the-job learning.

Volunteer as a Special Constable

Volunteer as a Special Constable Volunteering as a Special Constable gives you the opportunity to experience life as a Police Officer alongside your other commitments. You can also use working as a Special Constable as an entry route to joining the PCDA if you don’t have the education entry requirements and have gained independent patrol status. This will also require you taking a study skills test.

• Candidates can apply when 17 years old but must be 18 by the time training commences. Must have minimum of a Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics - Grade C/4.
• Must have either a minimum of 64 UCAS points, or 32 UCAS points plus at least 2 years’ relevant experience such as Specials, Armed Forces, Nursing, Carer etc.
• Must hold a full UK manual driving licence upon application.
• UK Citizen or legal right to enter or leave to remain in the UK (lived in the UK for at least 3 years).
• Tattoos which are discriminatory, offensive, or provocative will not be accepted.
• Medical conditions will be assessed throughout the recruitment process, including eye tests and fitness tests.
• Background security checks will take place upon application; any formal dealings with the police must be declared.

In lieu of 64 UCAS points, PCDA candidates may still be able to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• 0-63 points, candidates can be sent the aptitude test if they have 4 years armed forces experience or 2 years special constable or PCSO experience.
• 32-64 points, candidates can be sent apt test if they have experience in any of the following sectors:
• Nursing / Care Sector
• Social Work
• Youth Work
• Teaching
• Experience in the justice and law enforcement sectors
• Police Staff – particularly Custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles, investigative roles
• Criminal Justice sector/CPS/Courts
• Border Force
• Prison Service
• Relevant local authority experience which has involved close and sustained working with police.
• Experience of emergency services – ambulance, fire
• Experience of cyber/digital and financial fraud/crimes
• Roles which have focused on promotion of equality of opportunity and inclusion (including Charity work)
• MOD as a civilian security officer that works closely with the police

Each case is considered on its own individual merits in relation to the role being undertaken and assets being accessed.

Applications for a position as a police officer; a special constable; or as a member of police staff where that member of staff may be in the evidential chain are rejected in all cases where:

• offences were committed as an adult or juvenile which resulted in a prison sentence (including custodial, suspended or deferred sentence and sentences served at a young offenders’ institution or community home); or
• the applicant is a registered sex offender or is subject to a registration requirement in respect of any other conviction.

Your training will depend on your entry route:

Degree Holder Entry Programme

This route is for those who already have a degree in any discipline, other than the Professional Policing Degree from the College of Policing. It is a two-year work-based training programme supported by off-the-job learning.

During training, you will focus on a specialist area of study from either Investigation, Intelligence, Community, Road or Response policing.

You will earn a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. 

What does the training look like?

• Your training will commence at Martlesham, Suffolk or Hethersett, Norfolk for a minimum of 22 weeks and includes a week’s leave at around 12 weeks and another week’s leave at the conclusion of the training. You will be working Monday-Friday usually from 0900-1700hrs each day.
• This training is made up of a combination of classroom-based lessons and practical skills development session, delivered jointly with our academic partner Anglia Ruskin University.
• The next phase is your first operational deployment, where you will be demonstrating the practical policing skills and knowledge you have gained in initial training and complete a competency-based portfolio to show your ability to work independently as a police Constable.
• This phase is for a minimum of 13 weeks, and you will work alongside an experienced officer trained to be a tutor.
• You could be based at any station across the County, and you will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Earlies, Lates and Nights including weekends and bank holidays.
• Once you have achieved independent status you will have the opportunity to develop your investigatory and community policing skills up to the end of your first year.
• Year 2 will involve further classroom based learning and academic assignments which you will be expected to complete alongside your operational policing duties, responding to calls for service from members of the public and managing a workload of investigations.

Note: Any of these phases can be extended if you need more time to achieve the required standard of knowledge and skill for each stage and throughout your probationary period.

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

This is the new national entry route for police officers. You join the force on the PCDA for a minimum of three years and will earn while you learn.

You will gain a Level 6 Degree in Professional Policing Practice, potentially specialising in your third year.

What does the training look like?

• Your training will commence at Martlesham, Suffolk or Hethersett, Norfolk for a minimum of 22 weeks and includes a week’s leave at around 12 weeks and another week’s leave at the conclusion of the training. You will be working Monday-Friday usually from 0900-1700hrs each day.
• This training is made up of a combination of classroom-based lessons and practical skills development session, delivered jointly with our academic partner Anglia Ruskin University.
• The next phase is your first operational deployment, where you will be demonstrating the practical policing skills and knowledge you have gained in initial training and complete a competency-based portfolio to show your ability to work independently as a police Constable.
• This phase is for a minimum of 13 weeks, and you will work alongside an experienced officer trained to be a tutor.
• You could be based at any station across the County, and you will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Earlies, Lates and Nights including weekends and bank holidays.
• Once you have achieved independent status you will have the opportunity to develop your investigatory and community policing skills up to the end of your first year.
• Years 2 and 3 will involve further classroom based learning and academic assignments which you will be expected to complete alongside your operational policing duties, responding to calls for service from members of the public and managing a workload of investigations.

Note: Any of these phases can be extended if you need more time to achieve the required standard of knowledge and skill for each stage and throughout your probationary period.

Professional Policing Degree (PPD)*

This degree is completed before applying to join the police. It lets you focus on studying for the best degree result, rather than working full time alongside studying. You will end up with a Level 6 Professional Policing Degree.

There are three-year or two-year versions and you will pay for the course yourself. It can be taken alongside special constable voluntary service to develop operational competence alongside knowledge and skills and on completion of your degree, you then apply to our force (and can benefit from a shorter two-year probation period).

When I join, what does the training look like?

• Your training will commence at Martlesham, Suffolk or Hethersett, Norfolk for approximately 10 weeks. You will be working Monday-Friday usually from 0900-1700hrs each day, and you will have a week’s leave at the end of the course.
• This training is made up of a combination of classroom-based lessons and practical skills development session, delivered by experienced police trainers.
• The next phase is your first operational deployment, where you will be demonstrating the practical policing skills and knowledge you have gained in initial training and complete a competency-based portfolio to show your ability to work independently as a police Constable.
• This phase is for a minimum of 13 weeks, and you will work alongside an experienced officer trained to be a tutor.
• You could be based at any station across the County, and you will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Earlies, Lates and Nights including weekends and bank holidays.
• Once you have achieved independent status you will have the opportunity to develop your investigatory and community policing skills up to the end of your first year.
• Year 2 will focus on operational policing duties, responding to calls for service from members of the public and managing a workload of investigations.

Note: Any of these phases can be extended if you need more time to achieve the required standard of knowledge and skill for each stage and throughout your probationary period.

No. The costs of the course are covered by Norfolk/Suffolk Constabularies.

* If you a joining with a Professional Policing Degree, you may have already paid for this degree yourself, but any additional training provided will not be charged.

Unfortunately, yes. It is essential that candidates are able to complete the 22-week training programme uninterrupted. There are two weeks leave within the training period, one at week 12 and then the final week.

For Police Constables, all applicants will start on a salary of £28,551 which increases in increments every 12 months up to £46,044.
• Year 1 £29,907
• Year 2 £31,164
• Year 3 £32,427
• Year 4 £33,690
• Year 5 £36,216
• Year 6 £41,304
• Year 7 £48,231
Plus paid overtime/unsociable hours.

If you were to work your way up the ranks, Sergeants start on £51,408, Inspectors on £61,197 and Chief Inspectors £67,509.

All officers and police staff’s pay automatically increases in increments every 12 months.

You will be required to work shifts over evenings, nights and weekends. The role of a PC is 365 days a year including bank holidays and sometimes you may even be required to stay on duty past the end of your shift. 

After you have completed your first year of training, if you have responsibilities, for example caring duties that might prevent you from undertaking particular shifts, we will discuss alternative options with you. ​​The usual shift pattern for a police officer is six days on four days off including two earlies, two late and two nights. 

Postings are determined by need and you will be notified of your posting during your training. We will try to accommodate requests where possible, but the needs of operational demands must be our priority when agreeing postings.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies hold career development in high regard and to ensure we are supporting our workforce to develop themselves; we regularly offer promotion opportunities.

Promotion is a highly competitive process, but we believe it is right to enable eligible candidates to apply to build on their natural strengths and talents, giving them greater opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for promotion. Promotion opportunities in policing can be broken down as follows:

College of Policing National Police Promotions Framework (NPPF)

• PC to Sergeant
• Sergeant to Inspector

College of Policing Fast Track programmes

• PC to Inspector
• Inspector to Superintendent

All other officer promotions, including Executive level, will follow an internal promotions process.

The rank structure is as follows:

Police Constable
This is the starting rank for police officers.

Sergeant
First supervisory rank. Typically responsible for a team of constables.

Inspector
Oversees a shift of constables and sergeants. Also takes charge of major incidents in their force area.

Chief Inspector
Typically acts as a senior police officer in larger towns, overseeing large teams such as investigations or operations.

Superintendent
Senior management rank. Usually in charge for a section of a Command.

Chief Superintendent
Typically responsible for policing of a geographical area of their force.

Assistant Chief Constable
Mainly responsible for a specific function or area within their police force e.g. Investigations or Operations.

Deputy Chief Constable
Supporting role to the Chief Constable, handling the running of the force.

Chief Constable
Responsible for the effective running of their force.

• Police pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement which increases as part of your service
• Norfolk/Suffolk Police supports work-life balance supported by family friendly policies
• Be part of a wider police family
• Access to officer and staff associations, active groups and networks
• Enhanced maternity benefits
• 24/7 wellbeing support and advice for professional and personal matters 
• Access to discounts schemes via Bluelight Card

All applicants must complete vetting prior to joining a force, to identify whether they are suitable to become a police officer. The vetting process also includes disclosing information on your friends and family, to ensure that you aren’t vulnerable to extortion or blackmail.

You’ll be asked to provide information on:

• Yourself (personal, financial, police, criminal history)
• Your family (parents, parents’ partners, siblings, partner(s), children)
• Co-residents
• Associations that may cause a conflict of interest with your role or the police service

Vetting also includes:

• Background checks across all police information systems on you, your family and other associates i.e. individuals with whom you have significant financial arrangements, such as business partners and those who make child support payments
• Credit reference checks (to make sure money problems don’t make you vulnerable to blackmail or corruption)
• Social Media and Open-Source checks (these are checks on content about you that is publicly available on the internet to ensure there’s nothing linked to you that could undermine public trust and confidence in the police service)
• Other government and overseas agency checks

Financial checks are used to assess whether applicants have been, are currently, or are likely to be in financial difficulty, or show signs of financial irresponsibility to the extent that they could become vulnerable to financial inducement.

It is unlikely that you will be successful in your vetting clearance if you:

• have existing county court judgments outstanding
• have been registered bankrupt and have not discharged your bankruptcy. Applicants will not be considered until 3 years after the discharge of the debt. Debt Relief Orders (DRO) are treated in the same way as bankruptcy
• refuse to discuss a relevant matter or engage with the vetting process.

Careful consideration will be given if you have a history of late payments, a current individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) or debt management plan. Where a formal repayment plan is in place, force vetting managers will need to satisfy themselves that you have maintained regular payments over a number of months before making clearance decisions.