Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)

Start your policing career – practical, hands-on learning with no degree requirement.

Do you want a career like no other? To be part of a team working to reduce crime and engage with local communities? Join West Midlands Police as a Police Constable through our Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP).

As a Police Officer, you’ll play a vital role in keeping communities safe, protecting the vulnerable, and maintaining law and order. No two days are the same – you could be making an arrest, supporting a domestic abuse victim, policing a major event, or responding to 999 calls. This is a rewarding and challenging career that allows you to make a real difference.

If you already have an active application to become a Police Officer, please do not submit another. You can log into Oracle to check the progress of your existing application. If you were successful in becoming a Police Officer within the past 3 months, please do not reapply. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept new applications if you were unsuccessful within the past 3 months.

About the PCEP Programme

• Practical Route – A two-year work-based entry programme with a focus on on-the-job training.
• Initial Training 22 weeks at our Tally Ho! Training Centre, combining classroom learning and practical instruction.
• Frontline Experience, You’ll spend the majority of your probation working alongside experienced officers in operational roles.
• Ongoing support, mentoring and coaching ensure you develop into a fully competent Police Constable.
• Future Opportunities after probation, you can explore promotion and specialisms across the Force, including Firearms, Dogs, Roads Policing, Complex Investigations, and Drones.

Please note: This is not a direct Detective route. After completing initial training, you may apply to join the internal Detective Academy pathway.

What’s in it for you?

• Starting salary: £31,164.00, rising annually up to £50,256.00 within seven years.
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after five years.
• Extensive benefits, including pension scheme, employee support, staff networks, and professional development opportunities. See our benefits website for more details.
• A career that matters, make a lasting impact on communities while developing your skills and future.

Who can apply?

You must have:

• Level 2 English (Grade C/4 or above) AND
• Level 3 qualification, 2 A-levels, or an equivalent qualification.
• OR 12 months relevant policing experience (e.g., Special Constables, PCSOs, PSI/PSIOs, Detention/Escort Officers, Force Contact).
• Or at least 12 months as a Prison Officer.
• Or at least 12 months in a frontline NHS role providing patient care (e.g., Healthcare Assistant, Ambulance Technician).
• Or at least 12 months in a social services setting providing direct care to young or vulnerable individuals, or supervising those who do (e.g., supporting families in fostering or adoption).
• OR 18 months current military service in place of Level 3 qualification.

Only final certificates will be accepted, these must be uploaded with your application. Visit our careers website for more information about the qualifications required for different career routes.

Fitness, Medical & Vetting:

• Must meet the bleep test standard of 5.4.
• Must pass medical checks, which may include drug and fitness testing.
• Must pass our required vetting checks. See our Vetting FAQ for more information.

Residency & Nationality

• Lived in the UK for the past three years.
• Must be a British, Irish, or EEA national, or have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.

Application Process

• Our careers website provides a step by step breakdown of the application process.
• Training & Probation – A two-year programme combining classroom instruction with extensive frontline experience.

West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in the country, serving the three major cities of Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, alongside the districts of Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, and Dudley.

 Against this backdrop, the force handles more than 2,000 emergency calls every day, while patrolling the streets and responding to incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have made significant improvements in reducing overall crime, improving call response times, and increasing arrest rates. This work can only continue with the right people, therefore as an employer of choice, we are looking for the right people who can serve and protect our communities.