Police Now |

Police Now are recognised as a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer and offer two award-winning national graduate programmes:

National Graduate Leadership Programme

National Detective Programme

Graduates work on big societal issues, help create safer communities and drive a positive and fair internal culture in policing. Police Now programmes offer graduates a salary from day one while they train to become neighbourhood police officers or police detectives. The training empowers graduates to make an immediate and real impact on the lives of society’s most vulnerable and gain the confidence needed to drive transformative change. 

Over two years, graduates develop their problem-solving and leadership skills, beginning with an award-winning training academy, while receiving support from a dedicated Performance and Development Coach to aid their growth. 

After successfully completing the two-year programme, graduates become fully warranted officers. Ongoing career and promotion support is provided by Police Now beyond the programme and throughout their policing careers. 

Graduates from all degree disciplines have the potential to join a Police Now programme. 

Few careers offer the combination to make a meaningful difference where it matters most, and a breadth of opportunities for progression.

National Graduate Leadership Programme 

The two-year programme trains and develops you to become a leader in neighbourhood policing. You’ll be placed in some of the most challenging communities in England and Wales, getting to know the issues up close and developing innovative ideas and techniques to tackle the challenges the communities are facing.

National Detective Programme

Throughout the two-year training programme, you’ll be empowered to make a direct impact, support victims of crime, and have the chance to contribute to how policing is perceived and delivered. You’ll play an integral part in solving crimes while developing leadership and problem-solving skills to equip you for modern detective and investigative work.

Salary, benefits, and progression

By joining the police through Police Now’s graduate programmes, you can expect:

• A salary paid from day one when you start our training academy.
• Training delivered by experienced police officers, designed for graduates.
• Access to coaches that will support your development as you navigate a new career.
• A national peer network of over 3,000 police officers.
• Ongoing development and promotion opportunities upon completing the programme, through our Alumni network.

Leave

This ranges from 22 days (in addition to public holidays) when you’re starting out to 30 days for long-serving staff. You can also expect other forms of leave including adoption, maternity and paternity.

Work-life balance

This is not your typical 9-5. Police officers work varied shift patterns which gives them flexibility and freedom to maximise their time outside of work. Different to your typical working week, you’ll often receive several days off in a row. It may take some time to adapt to shift pattern working, but once you do, you may find that the flexibility of the schedule allows you to better balance work and home life. 

Pension

You’ll automatically be enrolled as a member of the Police Pension Scheme 2015, which awards police officers for their dedication and service to the public. It offers a generous and secure retirement package, providing officers with financial stability and peace of mind.

Training and development

Our programmes start with an initial residential training academy. You will then take part in various sessions over the two years, designed to develop your leadership and policing skills, as well as reflect on the impact you have made. You will also have access to a dedicated Performance and Development Coach during the two years, who will provide tailored support and guidance.

Career progression

Following completion of the programme, you can enrol in the promotion process, and you will join our alumni community, where you can receive support with progression. We have alumni across the country who are represented at levels up to Chief Inspector who are leading change and exploring new approaches to policing.

There are four stages to our application process during which you’ll gain insight into the role:

1. Online application. This is where you'll provide details, so we can see if you meet our eligibility requirements. It's also a chance for you to make us aware of any adjustments you may need during the process.
2. Immersive assessment. If you are eligible for the programme, you'll be invited to complete an immersive assessment where you will experience a number of scenarios which will bring to life the police officer role.
3. Assessment centre. If you pass the immersive assessment, you'll be invited to a digital assessment centre and offered dates to choose from. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your motivations for joining and gain further insight into the role you've applied to.
4. Conditional offer. If successful at assessment centre, you'll receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer. They will be there throughout your onboarding journey and assist you with your pre-employment checks including: fitness test, BMI, medical, references and vetting.

There is support available throughout the process from our recruitment team and adjustments can be made at all stages. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer and be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Officer to assist with your onboarding and pre-employment checks including: fitness test, BMI, medical, references and vetting.