Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)

Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)

Are you looking for a career like no other? Do you want the opportunity to use your degree while gaining hands-on experience from day one? If so, join West Midlands Police through our Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP).

As a Police Constable, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, protecting the vulnerable, and tackling crime. This is a challenging but hugely rewarding career where no two days are ever the same.

About the DHEP Programme

• Graduate Route, open to graduates in any subject, this programme allows you to train as a Police Constable while studying for a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing.
• Two-Year Programme, a balance of in-house training, university-led learning, and frontline policing.
• Blended Learning, classroom teaching (delivered at WMP sites and virtually) is combined with on-the-job experience and digital study.
• Ongoing Support, you’ll receive guidance and mentoring from experienced officers throughout.
• Future Opportunities – Once you’ve completed your two-year probation, you’ll have access to a wide range of career paths, including specialist units (Firearms, Dogs, Roads Policing, Investigations, Drones) and progression into leadership roles.

Please note: This is not a direct Detective route. However, after initial training, you may apply to join our Detective Academy pathway.

It is important to note that alongside your role as a Police Officer, you will study toward a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. If you are not interested in completing a further educational qualification, please explore our PCEP or DCEP routes.”

What’s in it for you?

• Starting salary: £31,164  rising annually up to £50,256 within seven years.
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing (on successful completion).
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after five years.
• Extensive benefits, including a pension scheme, employee support, staff networks, and professional development opportunities. See our benefits webpage for more details.
• A career that matters, make a lasting impact on communities while developing your skills and future.

Who can apply?

You must have:

• A degree (Level 6 or above) in any subject, at any grade, OR
• Be in the final academic year of your degree (eligibility dependent on completion).

Only final degree certificates will be accepted, these must be uploaded with your application.

Fitness, Medical & Vetting 

• Must meet the bleep test standard of 5.4. 
• Must pass medical checks, which may include drug and fitness testing. 
• Must pass our required vetting checks. See our Vetting FAQ for more information.

Residency & Nationality

• Lived in the UK for the past three years.
• Must be a British, Irish, or EEA national, or have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

Application Process

• Our careers website provides a step by step breakdown of the application process.
• Training & Probation – A two-year blended learning programme combining policing experience with academic study.
• Police Constable - Degree Holder Entry Programme - (DHEP)