Police Officer - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is a three‑year, fully funded route that lets you earn, learn and serve from day one. You’ll become a warranted officer immediately, gaining real operational experience while working towards a BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing Practice.

What Your Path Will Look Like:

Year One — Learning the Foundations

Your story begins with a blended programme delivered by Thames Valley Police and our Higher Education Institute. You'll spend time at one of our training centres in Sulhamstead (near Reading) or Kidlington (near Oxford), learning the essentials of policing including Officer Safety, Arrest procedures, Stop and Search and Community engagement.

Then you’ll join your Local Command Unit, supported by experienced officers as you gain Independent Patrol Status.

Year Two — Growing Your Operational Confidence

You’ll gain deeper operational exposure, including Response Policing, Investigations, Community Policing and Intelligence.

You may be selected to join a specialist attachment in the Assessment & Investigation Unit or Neighbourhood Policing.

Year Three — Becoming a Fully Competent Officer

You will further develop your operational and professional practice while completing an evidence-based research project focused on a policing issue relevant to operational policing.

By the end of the programme, you’ll graduate with a degree and complete your probation as a fully qualified Police Constable.

Learning During Your Programme

Throughout the programme, you will undertake a variety of operational and academic assessments, including knowledge tests, written assignments, presentations and workplace assessments, supported by dedicated protected learning time.

Where You’ll Serve

This recruitment window is for Buckinghamshire, covering Amersham, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes. If you can commute to stations in Berkshire or Oxfordshire, we’ll consider this when allocating postings. Please apply for one county only.

What You’ll Earn

• Starting salary: £35,361 (including £3,105 South East allowance)
• Based on current pay scales, officers typically earn £55,000+ by year seven
• As your career grows, so does your earning potential

Who You Are

• You don’t need a degree
• You don’t need to have worked in policing before
• You just need the drive to serve the community.
• You need the resilience to learn, and the motivation to undertake and successfully complete a degree-level qualification

Eligibility to Apply

• Aged 17+ on application (18 on first day)
• British citizen, EEA national with Settled status, or ILR holder
• UK resident for the last 3 years (some exceptions considered)
• GCSE English and Maths (A*–C / 9–4)
• Two A‑levels (A–E) or equivalent Level 3 qualifications
• or one A‑level plus relevant professional experience
• or relevant professional experience only (assessed by TVP)
• Full UK driving licence before formal offer (manual or automatic)
• Good physical and mental health
• Tattoos/piercings appropriate for a public‑facing role
• Live within 40 miles / 1 hour of two main stations before offer
• All roles require police vetting in line with the National Vetting Code of Practice

Application Process

The full process typically takes around 9 months:

• Self‑assessment
• Application and eligibility checks
• National Sift
• Online Assessment Centre
• Interview
• Provisional offer
• Pre‑employment checks (fitness, medical, references, vetting)
• Formal offer and posting confirmation

What We Give You in Return

• Annual Holiday Entitlement
• Police Pension scheme and Group Insurance schemes
• Wellbeing services
• Staff support networks
• Buddy schemes
• Discount schemes including Blue Light Card
• Access to regular training courses including leadership development
• Continuous professional development with opportunity for career progression