Police Officer
Being a Police Officer is much more than blue lights and fast cars. It’s protecting vulnerable people, supporting victims, investigating crime and making decisions that can change lives.
Policing the Thames Valley operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you’ll work day and night shifts, responding to incidents, solving problems and helping people when they need you most. It’s a challenging and rewarding career that demands resilience, empathy, sound judgement and a commitment to public service.
Meet our Police Officers
Military Resettlement
We are proud to offer a second career to those who have previously served with His Majesty’s Forces. Learn more about the support we offer and how you can join our team – Military Resettlement at TVP
What do Police Officers do?
As a TVP Police Officer you will:
- engage on a daily basis with the community
- attend 999 and 101 calls
- prepare reports and take statements from members of the public
- investigate crimes and offences
- conduct searches
- make arrests and attend incidents
- work a full pattern of day and night shifts (see an example of a typical ICR shift pattern for a 10-weeks period)
Join us for a ride along
Gain valuable insight and first-hand experience of frontline policing by joining us on a ride along. If you’re thinking of applying to be an officer with Thames Valley Police then a ride along could be the perfect way to learn more about the job from the people that do it every day. Visit our Ride Along Scheme page and sign up now.
Ready to embark on a career as a Police Officer?
The quiz below can guide you towards a well-informed decision. Please note, this tool is a guide, not a definitive statement about your suitability.
What we offer
Reasons to join TVP as a Police Officer
We believe it’s important that our officers are supported to be the best they can be. Whether that’s through additional learning, support when things get tough or through discounts to enjoy with family and friends away from the workplace – your wellbeing will always be a priority.
- As of September The 2026 the starting salary for new officers is £35,361 (inclusive of £3,105 South-East allowance). On current salary scales this climbs in excess of £55,000 after seven years service
- Military veterans transitioning into a policing career with TVP receive an additional, one-off resettlement payment of £2,500 paid into their first month’s pay. For details on eligibility and expectations relating to this payment, see our Military Resettlement page
- Access to a wide range of discounts through Vivup, plus eligibility for Blue Light Card membership
- Discounts available to PCDA student officers via NUS Apprenticeship Extra and TOTUM
- Wide ranging career prospects including opportunities for promotion, development, and specialist training
- Our ‘Support for Study’ scheme that ensures you have the opportunity to gain additional accreditation and qualifications
- A well-established wellbeing function ensures you receive the support you need when you need it, including support for your mental, physical, financial and leadership wellbeing
- Support services are available through membership of the Police Federation
- Staff support networks and buddy groups, including: Support Association for Minority Ethnic Staff, Disability Support Network, Women’s Network, Gypsy Roma Traveller Police Association, Muslim Police Association, Christian Police Association and Men’s Forum.
Find out more about how we could be supporting you at Thames Valley Police.
Eligibility criteria
What criteria must police officer applicants meet?
All applicants must:
- be at least 17 years of age upon application but must be 18 years of age by your first day in the role (there is no upper age limit)
- be a British citizen, or an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) national, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain or Pre-Settled/Settled status and no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom (for PCEP, DCEP and PPD). Applicants for the PCDA cannot be accepted with Pre-Settled status due to national funding rules of the Apprenticeship
- have been a UK resident for the last three years
- hold a full UK driving licence (manual or automatic) by the time of formal offer
- not have engaged in conduct which attracts automatic disqualification from being appointed
- not have served any time in prison or youth detention (if you have a criminal conviction, it may lead to your application being rejected – we will take into account the date, nature of offence plus evidence of good character since the offence)
- be in good health and able to physically and mentally perform your duties
- not have any piercings or tattoos which could cause offence
- live within 40 road miles and a 1 hour commute of two of our main police stations before a formal job offer is made. Flexibility is expected in terms of postings as we may post to certain areas that might not be your preferred location based on organisational need
Educational requirements
What level of education do police officer applicants need?
Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) and Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP)
- You must have achieved English GCSE (A*-C/9-4) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification (e.g. Functional Skills, O-Level or CSE Grade 1) and two A-Levels (A-E) or equivalent, OR relevant professional experience. If you don’t have A-Levels but do have at least one year of professional experience working in areas such as those below, we encourage you to apply. (Note that this is not an exhaustive list and all previous experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.)
- Armed forces
- Border force
- Criminal justice sector/CPS/courts
- Cyber/digital and financial fraud crimes
- Dedicated investigation or analytical role
- Emergency services
- Health and social care sectors
- Justice and law enforcement sectors
- Police staff, particularly custody, public contact/demand hub/enquiry office roles and investigative roles
- PCSO or Special Constable
- Prison service
- Professional services/project management
- Teaching
- Youth work
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
- In addition to the above, you will also need Mathematics GCSE (A*-C/9-4) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification (e.g. Functional Skills, O-Level or CSE Grade 1)
The Police Education Consortium (PEC) is our trusted academic partner for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). Bringing together leading universities and extensive policing experience, PEC delivers high-quality education and support to student officers across England. For more information about the programme, student experience, and the work of PEC, please visit the Police Education Consortium website
Professional Policing Degree (PPD)
- You must have achieved English GCSE (A*-C/9-4) or an equivalent Level 2 qualification (e.g. Functional Skills, O-Level or CSE Grade 1) and the Level 6 Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Policing or be in the second or final year of study
Recruitment process
Once you start your application our recruitment team will support you every step of the way and are available to answer your questions. Contact the team at RecruitmentPoliceOff@thamesvalley.police.uk
During the recruitment process, we strongly recommend that you undertake a ride along to gain a better understanding of the Police Officer role. Apply for a ride along online.
What does the application process involve?
Typically, the process from initial application through to start date can take six to nine months
- Step 1 – Application, including proof of eligibility – we advise using a PC or laptop as it can be difficult to load on a mobile phone; if you do not have the requested documents to hand, then they can be supplied separately at a later date
- Step 2 – Online assessment process – National Sift – taking approx 1 hour to complete
- Step 3 – Online assessment centre – Interview/Written – taking approx. 3 hours to complete.
- Step 4 – Provisional offer
- Step 5 – Interview
- Step 6 – Pre-employment checks including fitness test, medical, references and vetting. Useful information about the fitness test, medical assessment and vetting can also be found in the videos below.
- Step 7 – Start date.
Playlist
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5:11
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Useful links
Appointment criteria
Education and Qualifications
College of Policing guidance
Health and Fitness
Vetting
General
Our Entry Routes
At TVP, we are proud to provide a number of entry routes so that anyone interested in becoming a Police Officer can attain their dream career. Regardless of the entry route chosen, all our Police Officers receive the same salary and opportunities.
PCEP
Read more
- For both degree and non-degree holders
- Two years programme of learning
- 24 weeks initial training
- Blend of practical experience and classroom-based learning
- 10 weeks of individual coached patrol and tutoring followed by work-based learning at your base station
- View the 2-year PCEP overview
We are now accepting applications for this entry route.
PCDA
This 3-year programme appeals to those who wish to attain a degree. Earn whilst you learn, with no student loans to repay.
Read more
- For those who want to obtain a degree
- Three years programme of learning
- 21 weeks initial training
- Blend of practical experience and classroom-based learning
- 10 weeks of individual coached patrol and tutoring followed by work-based learning at your base station
- Attain L6 accreditation in BSc Professional Policing Practice
- View the PCDA programme overview
- Learn about the PCDA programme through our academic partner, Police Education Consortium
We are now accepting applications for this entry route.
PPD
If you hold a Professional Policing Degree (PPD) or are in the second or final year of studies, this 2-year work based programme is for you.
Read more
- For those with a degree in Professional Policing
- Two years programme of learning
- 14 weeks initial training
- Blend of practical experience and classroom-based learning
- 10 weeks of individual coached patrol and tutoring followed by work-based learning at your base station
We are now accepting applications for this entry route.
DCEP
This 2-year programme is for those eager to pursue a career in investigation, going straight into the Detective role at completion.
Read more
- For both degree and non-degree holders
- Two years programme of learning
- 24 weeks initial training
- Blend of practical experience and classroom-based learning
- 10-14 weeks of individual coached patrol and tutoring followed by work-based learning at your base station
Learn more about the programme on our Detective Constable page.
Learn more about life as a Police Officer
Foundation Training
Transfer or Re-join
If you’re an existing officer considering a move to Thames Valley Police, or are thinking or returning to the force, we have a range of options available. Find out how you can transfer or re-join – Transferees & Re-joiners
Use of AI in Your Application
Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform such as ChatGPT or CoPilot can provide an excellent tool to help support your application to Thames Valley Police. However, it is important that AI is used appropriately and responsibly. Please visit our guide for using AI in your application.
Contact us
Our recruitment team is available to support you every step of the way and answer your questions. You can contact them at RecruitmentPoliceOff@thamesvalley.police.uk
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