Police Officer - Policing PLUS (Detective Constable) - HC617056

Police Officer - Policing PLUS (Detective Constable) - HC617056

Detective Constables are the key role responsible for bringing justice to victims impacted by crime. 

As a Detective Constable (DC), you will work across an increasingly diverse community and face an ever-changing criminal landscape. 

What is the difference between a Police Constable and a Detective Constable?  

Whilst these two roles work hand in hand and both respond to victims of crime, Police Constables are at the forefront of the prevention and detection of crime, keeping communities safe and acting on emergency calls, whereas Detective Constables focus on the investigation of serious and complex crime which impacts the victims and communities.  

Both roles play a key part in responding to crime, keeping communities safe and delivering exceptional, local policing. 

About the Role

You will build on the core skills gained as a Police Constable, and develop the skills and knowledge to deal with new and emerging types of crime, such as cybercrime and fraud as well as high-harm offences like rape and domestic abuse. You could find yourself:

• Supporting victims and witnesses

• Safeguarding vulnerable people and preventing them from being victimised

• Investigating reported crimes

• Apprehending, arresting and interviewing suspects 

• Leading at crime scenes

• Engaging with children and young people to help change perceptions of the police

• Working with emergency service colleagues and those from a range of other agencies including social services 

• Collating and presenting evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to ensure we bring offenders to justice

Training

All new recruits will undertake our elite training programme where you will become a Police Officer from day one. Once the core skills are taught, the training is then adapted to train you to become a Detective Constable.  

You’ll receive world-class training and mentoring, which will see you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be able to: 

• Ensure public order and safety while supporting major police operations 

• Put victims first whilst responding to and investigating crime 

• Apply investigative skills and intelligence to solving crimes 

• Deliver exceptional, local policing 

• Deliver national policing objectives at a community level 

Salary and Benefits

Your starting full time salary will be over £28,000 plus allowances and benefits. 

You will have the opportunity to earn over £40,000 after seven years as a Detective Constable.  

In addition to the competitive salary and highly rewarding career, our benefits include, but are not limited to;  

• Competitive pension scheme;
• Generous annual leave allowance;
• Retail, food and leisure discounts through Hampshire Police Leisure & Sports and Blue Light Card;
• Excellent wellbeing support;
• Gym facilities at several of our buildings;
• Fantastic career progression including development and secondment opportunities.
• A rewarding job where no two days are the same
• Feeling valued in your community
• Training and development opportunities throughout your career
• Wellbeing support and advice, for professional and personal matters including an employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and an in-house occupational health service

• Access to supportive and active staff groups, networks and associations including:

Mental and emotional wellbeing support

Age Network

BEAM Network

Christian Police Association (CPA)

LGBT+ Network

Inspire

Men's Forum

Trauma & PTSD Support

Menopause Support

Career Opportunities

Once you have completed your Detective training you can choose to specialise in a particular area of detective work, such as:  

• Child Abuse Investigation 

• Rape and Serious Sexual Offences  

• Economic Crime 

• Major Crime including Murder Investigations  

• Counter Terrorism  

• With experience, you will also be able to apply for promotion to Detective Sergeant, Detective Inspector or Detective Chief Inspector as your career progresses.  

About You

We want you for the person you are, the work and life experience you have and the skills you can bring to the organisation. 

We need people who: 

• Can cope under pressure and never give up,
• Can negotiate and deal with sensitive situations,
• Can work both independently and as part of a team,  
• Have excellent communication skills,
• Are able to solve problems,
• Can write concise reports or other documents, 
• Can make logical, confident decisions,
• Have great leadership skills, you will be able to lead by example and seek advice when needed,
• Can develop and maintain resilience.

Apply today to start your career with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and make a difference to your life, career and community.

If you want to learn more about the force and our mission, you can watch this video.

We have entry routes that will allow you to become a Police Constable or a Detective Constable.

For further information and insight into the role, please click here.

Entry Requirements

In addition to being able to demonstrate a good standard of Maths and English (written and spoken), you must meet at least one of the following criteria at the point of application:

• 2 x Level 3 qualification passes 
• A combination of Level 3 qualification equivalent to 2 A-levels (Or Higher)
• A qualification from outside England and Wales which the UK National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) recognises as a Level 3 qualification equal to 2 A-Levels.
• Have completed and passed the Level 3 certificate in Knowledge of Policing or Police Law and Community Certificate.
• Have previously served in the military or armed forces, or similar law enforcement agency, and successfully completed the minimum term of service and have an exemplary reference (previous service in military or armed forces is a minimum of 2 years within the last 5 years).
• Have previously served in another emergency service (this includes Special, PCSO or other operational role in Hampshire or another Police force) and have an exemplary reference. (Previous service in an emergency service is a minimum of 2 years within the last 5 years and have worked in an operational role).
• Have at least 2 years recent experience in digital forensics-discovery and cybercrime investigations and a relevant qualification/training.

A full manual driving licence is required upon application.

To check the levels of your qualification please click here

You don’t have level 3 qualifications? If you have worked in a job where you’ve had to use your judgement, solve complex problems, build relationships you might be able to join us without qualifications. Do you have any previous work experience in the Armed Forces or in a role in law enforcement, this might be all your need to become a police officer.

Worried about your level of fitness? Whilst it is your personal responsibility to maintain your own health and fitness, we are very keen to support where we can. Please see here for ideas on how you could improve your current fitness level to achieve the required standard.

Positive Action

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recognises that being representative of all the communities we serve will help us to deliver a more effective operational policing service.  We, therefore, welcome and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.  

To ensure every potential candidate has an equal opportunity, we offer support and guidance from the start. Whether you are just thinking about a role within Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary or have already applied, our Positive Action Team can assist you. For more information please email: positive.action@hamphire.police.uk

Contact details for an informal discussion

Please contact the Recruitment Team at  police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk or call 023 8045 1611.