Police Officer - (November 2025-January 2026) - All entry routes

Dorset
Permanent
Student Officers
Forcewide - Dorset
Police Constable
External/Internal
£31,164
£31,164
40
Competency and Values Framework (CVF)
Level 1: click this link for details of the CVF level for this specific role.

If you enjoy facing challenges, coming up with solutions to problems and want to keep your community safe whilst developing your own skill sets, then policing could be for you.

You will work as an officer from your first day. As a police officer, you will engage directly with our communities and will be responsible for ensuring they receive an outstanding policing service.

Strong communication skills with the ability to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders, understanding their needs and concerns is essential. You’ll need empathy and compassion as well as a desire to make a difference.

Constables play a critical front-line role in the prevention and detection of crime and the criminal justice system.

There are currently Four entry routes:

1. Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

  • Obtain a fully funded, paid and supported Professional Policing degree in your first three years
  • Must have Level 2 (Grade C /4 or above) in English & Maths
  • Must have Level 3 (minimum - 32 UCAS points), 18 months service as a PCSO / Call handler / Special Constable

2. Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) - Available for Detectives and Response

  • Obtain a fully funded, paid and supported Diploma in Professional Policing degree in your first two years
  • Must have a Level 6 Degree in any subject except Professional Policing

3. Professional Policing Degree (PPD)

  • Initial Police Constable training only in your first two years
  • Must have a Level 6 Professional Policing Degree

4. Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) - Available for Detectives and Response

  • Obtain a fully funded, paid and supported level 5 diploma in Professional Policing Practice in your first two years
  • Must have Level 2 (Grade C /4 or above) in English & Maths & Must have Level 3 (minimum - 32 UCAS points)

         Or

  • 18 months service as a PCSO / Call handler / Special Constable or service in one of the other accepted roles – these can be found on our Force Website.

What you get if you join us:

  • A competitive salary with yearly increments up to £50,256 within seven years of joining
  • 25 days a year leave entitlement (excluding bank holidays), rising incrementally to 30 days following 10 years’ service.
  • Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
  • Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment).
  • Lifestyle benefits, including sports, gym and social facilities and activities and cycle to work scheme.
  • Company sick pay.
  • Competitive local government pension scheme.
  • Job related equipment, as required.
  • Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
  • Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
  • Development and training opportunities.
  • Career Opportunities available in various locations across the force area.
  • Access to supportive and active staff groups, networks and associations.
  • Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.

We want our officers to feel safe to disclose any disability or long-term health condition, feeling confident they will be supported as necessary.

We encourage you to tell us if you have a disability on your application so we can offer you support throughout the recruitment process and your career.

The information you provide us around any disability will be shared with our Occupational Health team and our Learning and Development Team should you be successful. These teams will support you and make sure you have all the required measures in place to carry out your role.

06/02/2026, 12:00

1
Please note: Whilst on probation you must work at least 24 hours per week (or 1,248 hours per year). However, initial training must be completed on a full-time basis (approximately first 31 weeks). Salary, leave entitlement etc would be calculated on a pro-rata basis. If you decided to apply as a part timer it would be really helpful if you indicated your intentions ideally on the application form or at the earliest opportunity. Importantly though, a request to work part-time will not affect or influence your application in any way, as a decision will be solely based on your evidenced application and subsequent performance over various assessments.
Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 this post is politically restricted.  A politically restricted post prevents an individual from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace and will automatically be disqualified from standing for or holding elected office.   They are also restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate, and speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party. For more information, please visit our website or see Alliance PSD20 Working Practice via SharePoint.

How to apply: To apply for this role please click the 'apply' button below, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application. 

Already have an account? If you have previously created an account please click 'login' at the bottom of the page next to the 'submit registration' button. Once logged in, you will be taken to the application.