Entry routes

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We offer four entry routes into policing. Our PCDA and DHEP routes provide you with a fully funded degree or graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice as part of the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF).

You’ll be employed as a police officer from day one, learning alongside experienced officers on the front-line, while earning a competitive salary and enjoying other discounts and benefits.

Choose the option that best fits your qualifications and experience – whatever you choose, you will be a welcome member of our team.

We have agreed intake sizes for each of our entry routes. If oversubscribed, it may be necessary for us to make changes to your entry route to secure your optimum date. If this is the case, we will contact you.

Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), is a professional framework for the training of all new police officers who have joined Essex Police under the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) or the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). Over time the framework will cover the training for police constables through to chief officers to further professionalise policing as a career by raising educational standards.

Essex Police have partnered with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to provide our degree in policing. You will become a paid officer from the first day that you join us and will work alongside experienced officers on the front-line while earning a competitive salary, enjoying staff benefits and supporting local communities.

Your initial training is changing and will be based on a professional framework for police officers. It’s devised on a modern curriculum of dynamic operational training, underpinned by sound theoretical education. First and foremost, you will be protecting and serving the county as a Essex Police officer whilst working towards achieving a formal qualification.

During training, you are eligible to specify three area preferences where you would like to work. Your preferences are not guaranteed but you will be matched with your choice of area to work as closely as possible. Postings are based on organisational/operational need.