Answer the call: Your police officer career awaits

Off By Ed Hanna

Durham Constabulary is looking for new recruits to help protect our neighbourhoods, tackle crime and solve problems.

It takes a great number of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area of County Durham and Darlington effectively.

Think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? We are inviting people from all backgrounds to consider joining us as a police officer.

As a police officer for one of the country’s top-performing police forces, you’ll be compassionate, resilient and above all, dedicated to making our communities a safer place to live.

For a Veteran seeking a new career path, this may be the call for you.

Your role as a police officer
The role of a PC is varied – it’s much more than blue lights, fast cars and catching criminals. You will be protecting the vulnerable, supporting victims of domestic violence, attending traffic collisions, defusing situations, giving evidence in court and working in partnership with communities.

It is about taking the time to understand someone, earn their trust, respect, and build positive relationships with people.

To equip our PCs to feel ready for these situations, we provide new recruits with a high standard, structured training programme – making sure you’re ready to step into action.

Armed Forces friendly
We are committed to being an Armed Forces-friendly organisation and signed the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2020. The covenant is a pledge that together the force will acknowledge and understand that those who Serve or who have Served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they Serve with their lives.

While the transition to a PC might seem natural as a Veteran, there are still challenges to navigate. Shifting from a highly structured Military environment to the civilian world can be daunting. However, the strong support network within Durham Constabulary, including fellow Veterans and wellbeing leads, are available to access.

Being part of the ‘Durham Difference’
Our officers start on £28,511 and with seven years’ progression will typically earn more than £46,000 a year. There will be endless opportunities to further your career too, with options to join specialist teams such as Roads and Armed Policing, Safeguarding or CID.

We are currently offering the following entry routes into becoming a police constable:

• Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

• Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)

• Detective Constable Entry Programme (DC DHEP)

• Pre-join/Professional Policing Degree (PPD)

They are demanding and fast-paced roles, but incredibly rewarding for those looking to make a real difference.