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The Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) is replacing the Detective Degree Holder Programme (DDHEP) and is a new and exciting opportunity if you are considering a career as a Detective.
The DCEP will help ensure forces are able to best represent the communities they serve. It’s an opportunity to embark on an extraordinary two and a half year journey, where you’ll go from being a student officer to a Detective constable.
Unlike the DC DHEP, DCEP is a non-accredited pathway into policing that is designed for candidates with or without a degree. No academic award is granted at the end, instead, the training combines practical “on-the-job” experience, classroom sessions, scenario-based training, virtual learning, and assessments, which will equip you with the skills and experience you need to meet the demands of modern policing.
The curriculum for all entry routes has been modernised to equip officers with the skills needed to meet the complex policing challenges we face today, whilst contributing to a positive policing culture.
You will also sit the National Investigators’ Examination to become a fully accredited Detective. You will be employed as a Police Officer from day one and will receive a starting salary of £31,907 which includes a £2,000 South East allowance with the potential to rise to £52,231 (including a South East allowance of £2,000), within the first seven years.
The course combines practical “on the job” training with academic learning, allowing you to ‘earn while you learn’.
During your initial 16 week training period at Lewes Headquarters you will work from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Student Officers are expected to be at Headquarters ready to start training at 8am and you are expected to work 40 hours per week during this period. Flexible working can only be applied for once Student Officers have attained Independent Patrol Status (IPS). Student Officers must work a minimum of 28 hours per week to meet the requirements of the programme and will have their probation period and programme length extended to allow sufficient time to do so.
You will be fully supported throughout the process, helping you to develop and enhance the skills and experience you need for this challenging but rewarding role.
Keep reading below to find out if this role and route is right for you.
We are ready for anything. We are Sussex Police. Are you?
As well as your starting salary of £31,907, which includes £2,000 South East allowance, you have the potential to rise to £52,231 within the first seven years. There’s also:
Our dynamic force embraces tolerance, trust, empathy, openness, patience and teamwork. The force’s many staff networking groups promote belonging, safety, inclusivity and make sure our people’s voices are heard. To reflect and protect the communities we serve, we employ individuals from all backgrounds and experiences, and actively promote equality, diversity and inclusivity.
We have worked hard to create a safe, open and inclusive culture. To find out more visit our culture visit our Inclusion page.
If you’re confident, calm, compassionate, empathetic, resilient, and able to make quick, informed decisions, you’re who we’re looking for to help keep Sussex safe. Not only is this a diverse and challenging career, but it’s also incredibly rewarding because we’re the change we want to see in our community. Police Officers are the face of our force so in this role communities will rely on you, on the front line, to protect them, catch criminals and deliver outstanding service.
Separating emotion from fact can be challenging; you’ll receive the training and support to make it possible. Your listening and communication skills will not only help you ask the right questions to gauge situations, they’ll help you build trusting relationships with the public, victims, witnesses and suspects. We’re in a fast-paced 24/7 environment where no two shifts are ever the same.
You should consider whether you can:
You’ll receive training and support throughout your career to help you manage the demands of policing, but it’s important to be sure that becoming a police officer is right for you.
As a 24/7 service, detectives typically work 40 hours per week, in shifts incorporating early shifts, late shifts and night shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. We also recognise the benefits of flexible working and are committed to equality of opportunity and the promotion of work-life balance. We will support opportunities for flexible working within the organisation where practical and suitable to promote a work-life balance and enable the recruitment and retention of a workforce which is representative of the diverse communities we serve.
After you successfully pass training flexible working can be requested. We assess each request based on its own merits and take into account what you need, and what the force needs too.
By successfully completing the recruitment process, you will be one of the first people in the county to join Sussex Police as a detective on this new entry route into policing – the Detective Constable Entry Programme.
These entry routes recognise police officers operate at a level where they take personal responsibility for decisions in complex, unpredictable environments and help provide the skills and capabilities necessary for policing in the 21st Century.
You will be employed as a Police Officer from day one, gaining valuable experience of the police officer role while studying towards your accreditation as a detective.
Training will initially be at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes, where you will gain the fundamental skills and knowledge you need to succeed. You will then be posted to a division, applying what you have learnt and, with the support of your coaching and development officer, take on your first cases.
You will also be required to sit the National Investigators’ Examination; a multiple choice exam which is designed to ensure individuals have the right knowledge, understanding and application of relevant law and procedure to perform effectively as a detective.
So you want to join us as a Detective.
The application process consists of several stages and it’s important to note that because of this, the average time from application to appointment is between 8–10 months.
The different steps of the recruitment process are detailed below, so you know what to expect at each stage.
Stage One: Application form
Stage Two: National sift involving Behavioural Style Questionnaire (BSQ) And Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Stage Three: Online Assessment Centre
Stage Four: Detective Assessment
The assessment will consist of:
Based on the Competency and Values Framework.
Stage Five: Pre-employment checks
This is when we begin our pre-employment checks which consist of a medical, vetting, biometric vetting, substance misuse and a fitness test.
References: we'll ask for references from each of your previous employers and/or educational establishments for the last five years. Any gaps in employment will need to be explained and verified. If you haven't been in employment for five years, we'll ask for a character or educational reference.
Helpful tips on the Assessment Centre.
You are strongly advised not to hand your notice into your current employer until you have received your Formal Offer. Successful candidates will receive their Formal Offer of Employment once all pre-employment checks have been successfully completed and an intake date confirmed.
If you have questions about the recruitment process, entry requirements, training, or progression get in touch. You can meet us at one of our recruitment events, email [email protected] or book a 1:1 recruitment call.
To apply for the role you must:
If you have a criminal record, this doesn’t mean you won’t be considered. This depends on the nature of your conviction. Please declare any current or previous cautions or convictions, including cautions as a juvenile, on your application form.
To be considered for entry to the DCEP, applicants must provide copies of the following qualifications:
Applicants without Level 3 qualifications can be considered if you have served in an emergency services role, military, armed forces or similar law enforcement agency considered to be operational by Sussex Police for a minimum of 2 years within the past 5 years and have an exemplary reference.
Applicants who do not hit the above Level 3 criteria and believe they have current experience equivalent to a Level 3 qualification, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis so please apply.
You will be required to upload and attach your relevant qualification certificates when you apply.
I haven’t got my degree certificate or transcript – am I still eligible?
We need to see evidence, so you will need to request a certificate from your exam board. You can find more information here on gov.uk
I am currently studying can I still apply?
Applicants in their final year of study can apply. You will need to upload a copy of your predicated grades when you apply.
Does the grade of my level 3 qualification matter?
You will need to have one Level 3 at grade A* - C or equivalent. The Level 3 qualification must be a minimum of 32 UCAS points. You can find out how much your qualification is worth using the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Does the subject of my Level 3 or above matter?
No – we can accept Level 3s in any subject.
I have a qualification from another country – will it still count?
You’ll need to provide evidence that your qualification is equivalent to or higher than the qualification(s) that are required for the appropriate entry route. For the UK and European countries you can check on the gov.uk website.
For qualifications from other countries we’ll need a translation of any certificates that are not in English and you may need to provide evidence of the comparative level, a formal Statement of Comparability can be purchased via ENIC.
I don’t have copies of my qualifications, what can I do?
You will need to provide copies of your qualifications or evidence of completion of university modules to date when you apply. We can accept statement of results but you will need to provide copies of the original certificates before being invited to an assessment centre. If you are unable to locate your certificates, Gov.uk can provide information on how to request duplicates or an accepted ‘certified statement of results’. We will be unable to able to allocate you to a course until we have received your certificates.
I don’t have a level 2 qualification in English and Maths, what can I do?
If you are on the Degree Holders Entry Programme, you do not need a level 2 in Maths and English as you will not be on an apprenticeship scheme.
I’m not a British Citizen, can I still apply?
You can as long as you are an EEA National or a Swiss National. Commonwealth Citizens and Foreign Nationals are required to have leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK for an indefinite period and unrestricted permission to work in the UK.
Can I apply without a driving licence?
Yes. You do not need a driving licence to apply. However you will need to have a full UK manual driving licence for us to offer you a start date so start taking those lessons!
I have motoring offence, can I apply?
We assess motoring offences on an individual basis. However, if you have more than six penalty points you will not be eligible to apply to join Sussex Police as a Police Officer.
If I have a disability, can I still apply?
Yes. We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you consider yourself to have a disability, please inform us within your application form of the type of reasonable adjustments you might need to assist you in participating in the recruitment and selection process. We will make these wherever we can.
Is there a height restriction?
No, there is no minimum or maximum height restriction.
I have attended the National Assessment Centre before and failed. Can I apply and take it again?
If you have attended the National Assessment Centre before and failed you will be able to reapply after six months. If it was between three and six months ago, you may be able to reapply, depending on your assessment centre scores. Please contact the Recruitment Team for clarification via email.
I have recently passed the National Assessment Centre while applying to join another force. Can these results be used in my application to Sussex Police?
We are not currently accepting transfer of assessment centre scores for our Degree Holder Entry Programme. This decision may be reviewed in the future and our website will be updated accordingly. You may be able to transfer your score to Sussex Police for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. Click here for more information.
I have a medical condition, is that an issue?
Every candidate is individually assessed. Those with pre-existing medical conditions may be asked to provide additional medical evidence to support their application. The below acts as a mere guide to answer your initial questions.
Asthma - You will be individually assessed. Individuals with asthma that is well controlled with inhalers are usually acceptable.
Diabetes - Your blood-sugar levels need to be well controlled and you need to be able to adapt to the demands of the job such as varying shifts and meal times. You will be asked to provide evidence that your diabetes is well controlled.
Epilepsy - It is recommended that you have not experienced a seizure for at least 18 months (with or without medication) before you apply and have a full driving license
Stress, Anxiety or Depression - These roles are front-line and public facing, requiring the ability to deal with the public in a wide range of situations as well as exposing you to potentially upsetting incidents. A high level of emotional resilience is required to undertake this work. It is recommended that you have been stable and well for at least 1 year before you apply.
Dyslexia - We are able to support reasonable adjustments if you have a report confirming your condition. For police officers this report must be carried out as an adult. Support is available during training and in the workplace.
Severe Allergy - Most allergies are compatible with these roles, but if you have a severe allergy (including a history of collapse or breathing difficulties) we may require further information to establish your fitness for role.
Any type of blood clotting disorder which requires medication such as Warfarin - We may require further information to establish your fitness for role.
What does the medical involve?
To ensure you are fit for the role we ask you to undergo a fitness test and an individual medical assessment. Your medical assessment will take place with the Sussex Police Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service under strict confidence. Disabilities will be assessed taking into account the Equality Act 2010 and recommendations regarding reasonable adjustments made where appropriate. If you have a health problem, or recently had a lot of time off, we may need to see a copy of any relevant medical records, such as specialist reports, test results or a note from your doctor. You will not be able to proceed until we have received your GP report and optician test results
I wear glasses/contact lenses, can I apply?
A general level of eyesight is required to ensure you are able to carry out your role safely while driving police vehicles, taking accurate statements and relaying evidence in court. DVLA guidelines apply together with eyesight standards from the College of Policing. Corrected distance visual acuity must be 6/12 in the better eye and 6/6 or better binocularly. A field-of-view of at least 120 degrees horizontally by 100 degrees vertically is required. Those with monocular vision should be able to reach the visual field requirements and 6/6 corrected vision in their eye and be subject to a risk assessment by the organisation. Corrected near static visual acuity must be 6/9 or better binocularly. Glasses and contact lenses are both acceptable. Seeing a qualified optician every few years is a good way to ensure your eyes are healthy. For Police Constables we ask you to see a qualified optician prior to your medical appointment.
I am colour blind, can I apply?
Mild colour vision deficiencies are not generally a problem but you might not be able to progress into some specialist roles, such as roads policing officer or Taser/firearms officer. Unfortunately, if your colour vision deficiency is monochrome you are not eligible to apply.
What if I have hearing issues?
A good level of hearing is required to ensure you are able to carry out your role safely, to be able to document and relay what you have heard in a potentially crowded and noisy environment whilst also listening to your personal radio. Each ear individually for low frequencies (0.5+1+2) should be below 84 dB and for high frequencies (3+4+ 6) below 123 dB. Hearing aids are acceptable as long as they correct your hearing to adequate levels. Ensure you protect your ears from loud noise, e.g. when listening to music either live or through headphones or when riding a motorbike but also if you work in an environment that exposes you to loud noise such as drills or firearms. Avoid exposure to loud noise and flying the days prior to your medical.
Is there a specific weight / BMI I need to be?
Being overweight affects your overall health and puts you at increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can also affect your joints and might make it harder for you to achieve the fitness levels required for your role. Equally, being underweight can mean that you lack muscle mass to ensure adequate fitness levels. During your medical appointment your BMI will be calculated and used as a guide to assess your health risks and fitness levels. A BMI in the healthy to overweight range is desirable, if your BMI is 35 or above for PCs we will also assess your body composition and you might be deferred unless your body fat percentage is below 30% for men or 36% for women. Your best option is to ensure a healthy balanced diet and regular moderate exercise to ensure your own personal health and wellbeing as well as fitness for your role in policing. Check your BMI at www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight and assess your diet with the eat well plate guide www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide.
What does substance misuse testing entail?
We will invite you in to attend an appointment where we will collect a sample of hair of approximately 50 to 100 strands from the crown of the head to test for the presence of inappropriate substances.
I’m nervous about the fitness test
We understand that some people may feel nervous when it comes to the fitness test, however you don’t need to be a professional athlete to succeed.
What does vetting mean?
We will carry out security checks on you and your:
I have a relative who has convictions, can I apply?
If your friends or family members have criminal convictions, you must disclose this when asked on your vetting application. Your application will not be automatically rejected and consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis.
Can I still apply if I have a criminal record?
Applications will be rejected in all cases where:
For all other convictions or cautions, there is a rebuttable presumption that they should be rejected. In particular, the following would result in rejection: offences where vulnerable people were targeted; offences motivated by hate or discrimination; domestic abuse offences. Although the rebuttable presumption is that these should lead to rejection, there will be cases where this may be disproportionate in the circumstances. For instance, where the offence was committed as a juvenile, it was not serious and the individual has demonstrated a commitment to help individuals or communities in the subsequent years. In these cases, vetting acceptable may be justified.
Do I have to declare if I was arrested but not charged?
Yes. You must declare if you have ever been subject to a criminal investigation whether or not this led to a prosecution. Failure to make such declarations will lead to your application being rejected.
I’ve been bankrupt, can I apply?
You can still apply, but only if it is three years after bankruptcy debts have been discharged.
How about County Court Judgments (CCJ)?
If the judgment has been discharged then you can be considered however if you have an existing judgment your application will be unsuccessful.
I have an Independent Voluntary Agreement (IVA), can I apply?
Applicants with current IVA’s will be considered. However, you will be required to show that there is an IVA repayment plan in place and that you’ve maintained regular payments over a significant number of months.
Can I continue with my other business?
You must declare any other employment for hire or gain or any other business interests that you intend to maintain. A decision on whether it is considered that your business interests are compatible with performing the role of police officer will be made on the basis of the information you provide during application.
Do I need a degree to apply to be a police officer?
We can only accept applications from candidates who have already graduated with 360 credits and can upload their degree certificate on application for the Degree Holder Entry Program. If you do not hold a degree you can apply for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.
With the new entry routes, do I need to pay for the qualifications?
No. We will pay for your degree and instead you will earn while you learn. All we ask is that you complete your probationary period which is two years for the DHEP.
Will I be expected to go to University?
No. All training will be delivered locally by a combination of police staff trainers and University staff. Regional webinars will be conducted enabling Q&As in relation to the coursework from the University, working towards the degree.
Do I have right to work in the UK?
Your right to work in the UK depends on your immigration status - this is also called your ‘leave’. If you don’t have the right to work, you might be able to apply for it.
You automatically have the right to work in the UK if:
You might have a right to work in the UK if you have a visa with a time limit. This is called having 'limited leave to enter or remain’.
If you entered the UK illegally or your leave has ended, you don’t have the right to work in the UK.
How do I prove my right to work in the UK?
You might be able to prove your right to work online or by showing your employer certain documents. Any document you show your employer must be:
For further information about Right to work in the UK, please refer to the gov.uk website.
Can I transfer my assessment centre score?
If you have passed the National Assessment Centre (SEARCH, Day One or Online) in the past 24 months, you may be able to transfer your score to Sussex Police for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.
We can accept scores of 50% and higher for SEARCH, 55% or higher for Day One and a pass for the Online Assessment. Scores are valid for 24 months from the date of your assessment centre.
To transfer your score, please send a copy of your assessment report to [email protected].
How can I contact you if I have more questions?
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact us via email at [email protected]