Law Enforcement
Police Officer - Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
Thames Valley Police
Location
Reading
Salary
£34,164 per year (including £3,000 South East living allowance)
Duration
3 years
Positions available
1
Degree awarded
BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice
Start date
Approximately 9 months from application
Vacancy reference
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
Minimum grades
GCSE English (Language or Literature) and Mathematics grade 4-9 (A*-C), Two A-levels grade A-E or equivalent Level 3 qualifications
About the role
A three-year professional degree-level apprenticeship programme combining on-the-job practical learning and operational competence with academic learning. From day one you are a warranted officer. Year One includes blended learning with initial training at TVP Training Centres followed by operational tutoring with Local Command Units leading to Independent Patrol Status. Year Two builds on operational focus including response, investigation, intelligence, community policing and roads policing. Year Three includes End Point Assessment and Evidence-Based Research Project demonstrating learning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Requirements
Age: at least 17 years old. British citizen or EC/EEA national with Settled status or Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain. UK resident for last three years. GCSE passes in English and Mathematics (A*-C / 9-4 or equivalent). Two A-levels (grade A-E) or equivalent Level 3 qualifications OR one A-Level with relevant professional experience OR relevant professional experience only. Full UK driving licence. No imprisonment or youth detention history. Good health and physical/mental fitness. No offensive piercings or tattoos. Not applied unsuccessfully to Home Office Force within past six months. Live within 40 road miles and 1 hour commute of two main police stations. TVP internal applicants must have been in PCSO, Detention Officer or Contact Management Call Handler role for 12 months.
Skills
Problem-solvingDecision-makingComplex information managementWorkload managementWorking under pressureOfficer safetyInvestigationCommunity policingCritical thinking
Required qualifications
Essential
GCSE · English Language or Literature · Grade 4-9
Essential
GCSE · Mathematics · Grade 4-9
Essential
A Level or Level 3 · Any · Grade A-E
Desired
Driving Licence · Full UK · Grade Manual or Automatic
Training & development
Year One: Blended learning programme with initial learning phase at TVP Training Centres in Sulhamstead, Reading and Kidlington, then operational tutoring with Local Command Units for Independent Patrol Status. Officer safety training, arrest procedures, stop and search techniques. Seven academic assignments required. Year Two: More operational focus on response, investigation, intelligence, community policing and roads policing. Seven academic assignments required. Possible attachment to Assessment and Investigation Unit (20 weeks) or Neighbourhood (12 months). Year Three: Four academic assignments and End Point Assessment with Evidence-Based Research Project.
Additional training
Protected Learning Time (PLT) built into all three years for both off-the-job training and independent study. Students may choose to spend additional time on training and assignment completion outside allocated hours.
Future prospects
On successful completion of programme and probation, learning accredited with BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice. Achievement of Full Operational Competence. Evidence-Based Research Project demonstrating practical policing purpose.
Company benefits
Comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes provided directly by organisation and via partnerships including Blue Light card. Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives. Active staff support networks and buddy schemes. Flexible working arrangements. Continuous professional development opportunities actively encouraged. Officers can expect to be earning in excess of £53,000 per annum by seventh year in the job.
Things to consider
Application process typically takes 9 months from initial application to start date. Must live within 40 road miles and 1 hour commute of main police stations. Flexibility expected for postings based on organisational need. Not eligible to apply if applied unsuccessfully to any Home Office Force within past six months. Pre-employment checks include interview, fitness test, medical, references and vetting.
About Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police works together to protect communities. The organisation strives to improve every day through flexible and capable workforce. Committed to building a workforce that better reflects communities served with an inclusive culture that values difference. Supports officer wellbeing and safety at the heart of all operations.
Website
www.thamesvalleypolice.ukContact phone
101
If this one works out
This role is in Reading. If you'd be moving for it, a room in a shared house there typically runs £650–£900 a month.