Detective Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme (DCDHEP)

Join West Midlands Police as a Detective Constable through our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DCDHEP).

As a Detective Constable, you will investigate complex cases, uncover hidden truths, and deliver justice to those who need it most. You will provide critical support for victims of crime while building trust with communities to achieve successful case outcomes.

About the DCDHEP Programme

• Graduate Route: Open to degree holders in any subject, this two-year programme equips you with the skills to become a fully qualified Detective.
• Graduate Diploma: Alongside your policing career, you will work towards a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing, recognised internationally.
• Blended Learning: A combination of in-house training, university-led learning, and practical frontline experience. Training is delivered in WMP classrooms and virtually.
• Structured Pathway:
  • Year 1: Train as a uniformed Police Constable, working with Response and Neighbourhood teams, wearing uniform, and responding to emergency calls on a 24/7 shift pattern.
  • Year 2: Specialise in the Detective pathway, training with units such as the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and Investigations teams to build the expertise needed for detective work.
• Future Opportunities: Once fully qualified, you can apply for promotion or specialise in areas such as Counter Terrorism, Serious & Organised Crime, Fraud, or County Lines.

You could find yourself working in departments including the Public Protection Unit (PPU), FCID, Homicide, or the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).

What’s in it for you?

• Starting salary: £32,256, rising annually up to £52,014 within seven years.
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing (on successful completion).
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after five years.
• Extensive benefits, including pension scheme, employee support, staff networks, and professional development opportunities.
• A rewarding career – bring justice to victims, protect communities, and uncover the truth.

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.

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 process.
• Training & Probation – A two-year blended learning programme, combining academic study with specialist detective training.