Detective Constable Programme (DP26,C1)

Do you have a keen eye for detail?

Are you prepared to challenge assumptions and not take information at face value?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then you should consider a career as a detective at Derbyshire Constabulary.

As a police detective, the most serious crimes land on your desk. You’re the key role responsible for bringing justice to victims impacted by crime. You need the resilience to overcome obstacles, the clarity to never take things at face value, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life and gain their trust.

Each case is unique, and often relies upon the quality of the evidence, the emotional state of the victims, your ability to persuade and influence, and persevere right up until the end. Cases can be a lengthy process, and you’ll learn to maintain relationships and deal with setbacks caused by failures.

As a detective there is no room for assumptions. Being diligent and collecting evidence based on facts are all part of each line of enquiry you’ll follow. You’ll work on some of society’s most challenging issues including child exploitation, sexual assault and murder. You’ll be driven by your personal mission of working to protect the victims of crime from future harm. You’ll learn about humans, how they behave, and how they shape the fabric of society.

It's a unique role with unique demands that are ever-changing. You need to be adaptable to change and ready to think on your feet. At the same time, it's a role that can give you some of the best and proudest days of your life. From protecting the vulnerable and saving lives, it's exciting, diverse and vitally important. In return, you will have the benefit of working for a creative, forward-thinking force that is dedicated to keeping Derbyshire a safe place to live, work and visit.

Salary

• The starting salary is £31,164 with annual increments, moving to £50,256 within 7 years.

What you’ll be doing

• You’ll provide initial and ongoing frontline response to a wide range of incidents that may include complex and confrontational situations, assessing immediate risk, threat and harm to determine a proportionate response in line with the law, policy and guidance.
• Take a leading role in effective localised partnerships to problem solve, engage with, reassure and support organisations, groups and individuals across communities in line with the Force’s planned approach.
• Effectively engage with victims, witnesses, suspects and the vulnerable, in accordance with equality, diversity and human rights considerations, to provide initial support, direct towards relevant services, establish relationships and gather information that prevents and reduces crimes.
• You’ll maintain awareness of potential and actual risks to individuals, taking appropriate action to protect and support those in need of public protection to pre-empt or effectively address safety / vulnerability issues.
• Conduct effective and efficient priority and high-volume investigations as requested in line with standards of investigation to inform the development of high-quality case files and initiation of criminal justice proceedings.
• Gather and handle information, intelligence, and evidence, from a variety of sources, in line with legislation, policies and guidance, taking the appropriate action to support investigations, law enforcement and criminal justice proceedings.

The must haves

• Hold 2 A levels or a level 3 that is equivalent qualification in any subject or are in your last year of study.
• Or are a current serving PCSO, who has completed your professional development plan, passed your probationary period and served 12 months in post and you are up to date with all mandatory training at the time of submitting your application.
• Or are a current serving Special Constable who has attained independent patrol status at the time of application, who is consistently completing sixteen hours per month and is up to date with all mandatory training
• Or are a current serving NIO, who has attained a PIP1 qualification, passed your probationary period and served 12 months in post and you are up to date with all mandatory training at the time of submitting your application.
• Or are currently employed and have served 2 years in a front facing role from the date of application in one of the following areas:
  • Investigation Officers
  • Emergency Services
  • Armed Forces
  • Prison Service
• hold a full UK manual driving licence by pre-employment stage, which is typically 14-16 weeks prior to the start of the cohort.

Please review the qualification and experience guidance attached to check you are eligible before you submit your application. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet these requirements at the time of submitting your application. 

You are anticipated to start in Autumn/Winter 2026. Your training will last for 32 weeks and throughout this period your leave will be pre-booked.

What’s in it for you?

At Derbyshire Constabulary, we aim to create an environment that puts people first. We want you to feel supported in everything you do, so you can give your very best. What’s more, we have a range of reward and benefits that if you join us you could enjoy.

Next Steps

To support you with your application we have provided some guidance on our recruitment process.

Once we have sufficient applications, we may close this campaign earlier than expected.

Who we are

Derbyshire Constabulary has a strong and unequivocal commitment to delivering a high-quality policing service for everyone in the county - whether for our one million residents or our ten million visitors to the Peak District. By joining us you'll play a unique role in helping us to keep Derbyshire as one of the safest places to live and work in England.

To understand how you can make Derbyshire safer together visit our careers website.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and encourage anyone who has considered a career in policing to apply. We’re particularly keen to increase the number of females and candidates from black and minority ethnic communities and the LGBT community, so that we can truly reflect the communities that we serve in.