Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme (DDHEP)

Being a detective is demanding, diverse and incredibly fulfilling.

From cyber-crime, domestic abuse and child protection, through to homicide, high level drugs importation and serious organised crime; you will help solve some of the most serious crimes possible. Analysing the evidence, interviewing suspects, taking a case to court – you will uncover the truth and seek justice for victims.

If you’re a degree holder with the compassion to help build trusting relationships; the tenacity to see a case through from start to finish; the desire to get justice for victims and the emotional resilience to keep calm, yet confident, then a detective career could be for you.

With our new and exciting Detective DHEP this is your opportunity to become a fully accredited detective in just two years; helping us to keep communities safe and feeling safe, identifying and protecting vulnerable people, preventing and responding to harm.

This is an intensive course, which will require commitment and dedication to both serving the public and meeting the demands of the development programme. You must therefore be willing and able to meet the academic demands and deadlines throughout the two year programme. You will be supported by Sussex Police and the University and 20% of your work time will be allocated as protected learning time. Enabling you to study, attend master classes and complete assignments and projects. In return, we promise a good starting salary, supportive working environment, great training experiences, opportunities for progression, and upon successful completion of your learning, a graduate diploma in professional policing practice.

We’re looking for the problem solvers, the curious and the tenacious. People who have the desire to follow every lead, discover the truth of what happened and seek results. Emotionally resilient and compassionate, you will need to stay calm in the face of adversity and build relationships with those who may be the victim or witness of a serious and violent crime. You will have to critically analyse the evidence, establishing the facts which will be used to obtain justice in court. And while it’s not always like what you see on the TV, you will get to deal with interesting and challenging situations daily.

Have you got what it takes?

As a Detective, you will hold one of the most vital roles within our community. The public face of Sussex Police, you will ensure we’re fulfilling our commitment to protecting our communities, catching criminals and delivering an outstanding service to victims, witnesses and the public. You could find yourself working in our Criminal Investigations Department (CID), dealing with crimes such as fraud, robbery and serious assaults. Or you may join one of our Safeguarding Investigations Units (SIU); protecting the most vulnerable adults and children from abuse and exploitation. Once accredited, you have the opportunity to work within Major Crime, investigating serious crimes such as homicides, or with our Serious Organised Crime Unit tackling high-level drug importation. No two cases, or days, are the same as a detective.

You will manage and conduct complex investigations throughout their entire duration, from the initial crime scene to the moment the verdict arrives in court. Typical duties include:

• Being the point of contact for victims of crime; seeking justice for them.
• Identifying witnesses and obtaining statements.
• Interviewing suspects.
• Handling forensic evidence and dealing with its submission.
• Preparing and submitting case papers and evidential files.
• Attending court, providing evidence and awaiting the verdict.
• Liaising with partner agencies i.e. social care and health teams, schools and courts.
• Working with crime scene investigators, uniformed officers and the media, among others, to help make a difference together.

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. The initial training will be full time for a minimum of 30 weeks. After successful completion of training and flexible working request can be submitted. Each application for flexible working will be assessed and determined on its own merits, taking into account the needs of the individual balanced with the operational requirements of the force.

 

To apply for the role you must:

• Be aged 17 years or older (you must be 18 by the time you are appointed)
• Be a British citizen, a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and free from restrictions.
• Have been resident in the UK for the past three years
• Have a full manual driving licence (by the time of appointment).
• Not have six penalty points or more on your driving licence.
• Not have tattoos which could cause offence.
• Not be registered bankrupt (or have bankruptcy debts that have been discharged within the past three years).
• Be able to pass a job-related fitness test.
• Be able to pass a medical screening and meet the minimum eyesight standards.
• Not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group.

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.

You also are required to hold the following qualifications:

• Have successfully completed, and be able to evidence, a UK undergraduate degree (360 credits) in any subject. 
• Applicants with non – UK degrees can be considered if their degree is recognised as equivalent by ENIC but will need to provide evidence of an acceptable English language qualification if their degree was not taught and assessed in English.

Applicants who are graduating in the summer of 2024 are able to apply with predicted grades. Applicants will need to upload evidence of completion of university modules to date when they apply.

To join Sussex Police in any role you will need to prove your right to work in the UK.

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’re a British or Irish citizen.
• you have pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or you’ve applied and you’re waiting for a decision.
• you have a family permit from the EU Settlement Scheme.
• you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
• you have right of abode in the UK.

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.

Proving your 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:

• valid - you can’t use a document that’s expired unless it’s a British or Irish passport.
• the original document - you can’t use a copy, however you can use a replacement birth certificate if you have lost the original.
• If your document is expiring soon and you’ve applied to extend your leave, you can still prove your right to work. You might need to use a different document or ask your employer to contact the Home Office Employer Checking Service (ECS) - it depends what kind of leave you have.

For further information about Right to work in the UK, please refer to the gov.uk website.

You will be required to upload and attach your relevant degree certificate and transcript to your application 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 University. If you have completed your qualification in the last few years we may well be able to check your Personal Learning Record (PLR), please contact the recruitment team on [email protected] and we can discuss this with you further.

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.

Applicants will be asked to provide proof of their qualifications when they receive them.

Does the class or subject of my degree matter?

No – any bachelor’s degree at any class is suitable.

Do I need to have honours?

No, you do not need to have an honours degree but you must have completed your degree in full.

What if I have a foundation degree?

Unfortunately these are not suitable and you will be unable to undertake a DHEP course, you will however still meet the eligibility for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) if you have Level 2 Maths and English as well.

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 an Undergraduate Degree. 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.

When you join Sussex Police, you can expect a career with variety, diversity, challenges, rewards and now, a professional qualification. You’ll be a key figure on the front line, a vital job that matters to the public but also matters to us.

We will give you:

A starting salary of £30,551 and includes a £2,000 South East allowance with the potential to rise to £48,044 (including a South East allowance of £2,000) within the first seven years.

• A fully-funded graduate diploma in professional policing practice on completion of your two years training and probation period.
• 22 days per year annual leave, rising to 30 days (based on a working day of 7.4 hours) a year depending on your length of service.
• Opportunity to progress through the ranks and/or specialise in an area of policing that interests you most.
• A competitive benefits package including:
  • Highly competitive pension scheme.
  • Flexible benefits.
  • An employee assistance programme for advice and counselling.
  • Access to discounts, savings and cash back rewards.
• Progressive approach to flexible working, enhanced maternity and paternity leave and potential for a career break (after two years’ service).
• Potential for a career break (after two years’ service).
• Opportunities to join various support networks, staff associations and sports club

To support your health and wellbeing we have excellent welfare services including employee assistance program, chaplaincy support and mental health first aiders who offer in-house service to support you mental health and wellbeing when you need it. Diffusers also offer post incident trauma support.

Sussex Police has a number of staff support networks, Unison support and advice for members, Sussex Police Federation and Sussex Police Charitable Trust who offer a helping hand to Sussex Police officers, staff, special constables, pensioners and dependent family members in their hour of need. We have on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs, all of which aim to promote health, friendship and fun amongst police officers and staff. With 30-plus activities to choose from there’s something for everyone, irrespective of age, rank, experience or sporting ability.

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 Degree Holder 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 21^st Century.

The Programme is aimed at degree-holders who have attained a degree in any subject area. 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 and your graduate diploma in professional policing practice.

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

• Your personal details will be checked and that all eligibility criteria has been met.

Stage Two: National sift involving Behavioural Style Questionnaire (BSQ) And Situational Judgement Test (SJT)

• A multiple-choice assessment, which will assess whether you have the right behavioural traits to work as a Police Constable.

Stage Three: Online Assessment Centre

• Online video competency-based interview – this interview will be based upon the competency and values framework.
• Briefing exercise – you will be presented with a short brief and have to prepare your responses to key questions.
• Written exercise – you will be provided with information and will be asked to provide written responses.

Stage Four: values based conversation and Detective Assessment

The assessment will consist of:

• In-Tray Exercise - you will be asked to prepare and deliver a verbal briefing to a panel based on a series of documents and information provided to you. 

• 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.

• Fitness Test: you will need to obtain level 5.4 in the bleep test. More details on the test and preparation for the test can be found on our Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT) page.
• Medical: you will be required to complete a questionnaire with your medical history.
• Biometric Vetting: we will take your fingerprints, DNA, and check them against the appropriate database.
• Substance Misuse: We will also collect a sample of hair to test for the presence of inappropriate substances.
• Vetting: this will assess you and your families’ criminal record, financial status and business interests.

• 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.

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.

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.

Why are you running online assessment centres?

The College of Policing has introduced a new online assessment process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consisting of a three stage process, this approach ensures our national recruitment standards are maintained. We will be reviewing this in the coming months and you will be advised should the approach change. Further information on assessment centres.

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:

• Spouse/partner
• Father/Stepfather/Mother’s partner
• Mother/Stepmother/Father’s partner
• Brothers/Sisters (full/half/step)
• Children/children of your partner (only those aged 10 years and over)
• Any other adult living at your address
• Financial circumstances
• Social media accounts.

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:

• 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)
• The applicant is a registered sex offender or is subject to a registration requirement in respect of any other conviction.

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.

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]