Detective Constable
The role of a Detective
As a Detective, you will be involved in handling serious and complex investigations, motivated by the desire to do the right thing and bring justice to victims.
Your work will be demanding but rewarding, requiring strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to serving the community and ensuring public safety.
Most importantly, teamwork will be a key part of your day-to-day job, working collaboratively with social care, health teams and schools, working alongside your uniformed colleagues to build the strongest cases.
Could you be a Detective?
We want to empower you with all the information you need on your journey to becoming a Detective Constable (DC), and to this end, we encourage you to read the information presented in the sections below.
From learning what we can offer you if you choose to start your policing career with us, the recruitment process explained, to the way we value difference in our workforce, we hope you will find all you need to take the next step and join our team.
As a Detective you will:
- manage investigations from start to finish
- analyse evidence
- conduct interviews and interrogations
- work in partnership with a variety of teams and departments, but also with external stakeholders
- work a mix of early, late, weekend and bank holiday shifts (see here an example of a Detective’s shift pattern)
We are looking for resilient individuals whose first instinct is to help and support others; those who are problem-solvers who pay high attention to detail, those calm under pressure and patient, who ask questions and are curious, but also approachable with a natural ability to communicate with people from all walks of life.
If this sounds like the role for you, join our team as a Detective via our Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP).
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.
With a force size that guarantees a broad range of crime and a reputation for solid investigations there is no better place than Thames Valley Police (TVP) to become a Detective.
We have an established, comprehensive investigative structure and are the host force for a number of South-East regional crime teams; for example Counter Terrorism Police South-East.
We believe it’s important that our Detectives 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.
Here are some of the reasons you should join the TVP family:
- the starting salary for all new recruits is £32,907 (which includes £3,000 South-East allowance). On the current salary scales, after seven years of service the salary will be in excess of £51,000 (which includes £3,000 South-East allowance);
- bonus payment, variable depending on location and department;
- support with National Investigators’ Exam (NIE) – access to the full Police Pass Revision Package, including manuals, lectures, online question bank and crammer course;
- military veterans transitioning into a police officer or detective constable role with TVP will be supported with 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;
- additional benefits including pension scheme and annual holiday entitlement;
- wide range of discounts for retailers, restaurants, travel, tickets and more available via our TVP Reward mobile benefits app plus eligibility for Blue Light Card membership;
- wide ranging career prospects including opportunities for promotion and specialisation;
- a focus on your continuous professional development which includes a structured Performance Development Review;
- our ‘Support for Study’ scheme 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 Wellbeing, Financial Wellbeing, Leadership Wellbeing and Health & Safety at work;
- A wealth of support services are available through membership of the Police Federation,
- a variety of Peer Support, 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 and how we value difference at TVP.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 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;
- residency – have been a UK resident for the last three years;
- hold a full manual UK or EU driving licence by the time of formal offer;
- 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 30 crow miles/40 road miles/ a 1 hour commute of two of our main police stations by formal offer of appointment. A degree of flexibility is expected in terms of postings as we may be forced to post to locations within policy parameters if organisational need dictates this.
Educational requirements for our 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
The recruitment process to become a Detective via our Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) takes a bit longer than other roles, due to the nature of the job, so we want to provide you with a realistic overview of the steps involved.
Once you start your application, our recruitment team will support you every step of the way, and they are always available to answer your questions. You can contact them at RecruitmentPoliceOff@thamesvalley.police.uk
Application process explained:
Typically, the process from initial application through to start date can take nine to twelve months and includes:
- Step 1: Self-assessment questionnaire – we encourage all applicants to self-assess your eligibility prior to applying;
- Step 2: Application including proof of eligibility – be prepared to apply;
- Step 3: Online assessment process – National Sift – taking approx 1 hour to complete;
- Step 4. Online assessment centre – Interview/Written/Briefing – taking approx. 3 hours to complete;
- Step 5. Provisional offer;
- Step 6. Interview – panel interview led by a Senior Detective and including an additional assessment based on the skills required to be a detective. Please note all candidates (internal and external) will be required to do a panel interview;
- Step 7. Pre-employment checks including fitness test, medical, references and vetting. Useful information about the fitness test and vetting can also be found in the videos below;
- Step 8. Attendance at induction weekend, where you will find out more about the programme and hear from guest speakers and current or previous students;
- Step 9. Start date.
At Thames Valley Police, we are committed to better reflect the communities that we serve.
We encourage applications from our underrepresented communities including all ethnic or religious backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and women.
Our Positive Action and Engagement Team provide support and guidance to anyone from an ethnically diverse background throughout the Detective Constable recruitment process as well as advise on career development and progression. They can be contacted via: positiveactionteam@thamesvalley.police.uk
Learn more about the team and the support they can provide you to start your career in policing.
- Self-assessment Questionnaire
- Recommended Medical Standards
- Eyesight Standards for Police Recruitment
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Vetting – Frequently Asked Questions
- A-level Equivalency Table
- English & Maths Level 2
- Competency and Values Framework
- National Sift COP Guidance
- Officer Rates of Pay
- Local Policing Areas
Our Detective Entry Route
At TVP, we are proud to provide the Detective Constable Entry Programme (DCEP) so that anyone interested in becoming a Detective can attain their dream career. This 2-year programme is for those eager to pursue a career in investigation, going straight into the Detective role at completion.
The programme
The programme welcomes both non-degree and degree holders, and includes:
- 25 weeks foundation training
- Blend of practical experience and classroom-based learning
- 10 weeks of individual coached patrol followed by 6 weeks continued operational duties with the same team before moving into an investigative department for the duration of your programme
- Additional investigative training at set points within your first two years
- View the 2-year DCEP overview
Register your interest for this programme and be the first to hear once we open.
Foundation training
To become a substantive Detective Constable, you will first complete foundation training so you can develop your knowledge and skills to help effectively protect our communities. This will be similar to the training our Police Officers receive.
We work with a range of experts to compile and deliver leading foundation training for our new recruits:
- 25 weeks of training you’ll undergo a blend of classroom (including e-learning) and practical learning to understand the basics of general policing and prepare you for operational policing.
- This will include knowledge of operational guidance, legislative powers, and Thames Valley Police (TVP) mandated policies/systems, and will be centred around vulnerability and risk, investigations and criminal justice.
- On a typical day-to-day, your mornings will consist of teaching followed by an afternoon of applying that knowledge. For example, you could spend the morning learning about the theory and principles behind stop and search powers, and then put that learning into practice in the afternoon with role play scenarios. Want to know what you’ll be doing? See what an example training timetable looks like.
- Find out more about Foundation Training.
After completing your foundation training, you will have to take your National Investigators’ Exam (NIE). You will be given the Police Pass revision package to aid your studies. In the weeks prior to the exam, you will be given study days to attend a dedicated crammer course.
Work after foundation training
After completing your foundation training and NIE, you will be spending the next 16 weeks of your training in uniform in Incident and Response (ICR). During this time, you will be working a full pattern of day and night shifts (see an example of a typical ICR shift pattern for a 10-weeks period).
After completing your training in uniform, you will start your DC tutoring in plain clothes, in one of the following three teams:
During your second year of the programme you will undertake two further periods of training:
- Serious and Complex Crime Interviewing (SACCI): a two-week course which delivers the foundations to empower participants to understand the theory and develop the practical skills to undertake witness & suspect interviews for serious and complex criminal investigations.
- Investigators’ Development Programme (IDP): a four-week course which equips investigators with the knowledge, skills and processes associated with serious and complex investigations.
Following these courses you will begin working towards the completion of your Level 2 Professionalising Investigation Programme qualification (PIP2 Portfolio).
Having completed the DCEP programme and requisite portfolios you become an accredited DC and a whole world of roles and opportunities opens up within some of our specialist investigative teams.
Career opportunities as a Detective
Throughout your career with Thames Valley Police (TVP), you’ll receive support and ongoing training to make sure you have everything you need to carry out your duties competently and confidently.
Most importantly, the opportunities to progress and develop as part of TVP are nearly endless.
From progressing through the ranks, or taking on a specialism, you can expand your policing career based on your skills and interests – your career is yours to tailor, and TVP will be there to help you along the way.
As with Police Constables, Detectives can progress their careers through the rank structure:
- Detective Constable (DC) – starting point
- Detective Sergeant (DS)
- Detective Inspector (DI)
- Detective Chief Inspector (DCI)
- Detective Superintendent (DSI) or (DSupt)
- Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS)
- Assistant Chief Constable (ACC)
- Deputy Chief Constable (DCC)
- Chief Constable (CC) – highest rank in policing
Discover below some the specialist investigative teams you can join once you become a substantive Detective:
Whilst serving in all investigation departments there is the option to complete specialist courses such as being a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) where you might be deployed to support a family of a victim of a homicide, or a negotiator, or be an enhanced suspect or witness interviewer.
Meet our Detectives
Read some of the inspiring stories of our Detectives, and how they are protecting our Thames Valley communities.
A history in investigation
Thames Valley Police has a rich history of first-class investigation including associations with the 1963 Great Train Robbery and baby farmer Amelia Dyer from the 1890s, more recent cases have included Op Naseby and Op Navigator.
The force is also featured in the Channel 4 British true crime documentary series ‘Catching a Killer’ which shines a light on five of our recent and complex cases, following Detectives in our Major Crime Unit as they investigate a murder.
Learn more about some of our most challenging cases:
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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