Force launches new police officer entry routes
Lancashire Constabulary has today announced its move to the national Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) for the future recruitment of its police officers, along with its partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to deliver the training.
The force will actively be recruiting for its first cohort of officers to start training as apprentices on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) from July 2019. This will be followed by recruitment opening for the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) shortly after.
From 2020, nationally, entry requirements into the role of police officer will change and all new officers will need a degree-level qualification upon entry or achieve one through an apprenticeship route with the Constabulary.
The change to the entry criteria for policing is the first in over a decade and has been implemented to further formalise policing as a career and reflect and acknowledge the high level of service required from an officer in today’s complex and challenging policing environment.
The three new national routes of entry to become a serving police officer are:
1. Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)
A three-year professional policing degree apprenticeship, providing an exciting opportunity for successful applicants to achieve a degree in Professional Policing Practice with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) following appointment as a police officer.
2. Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)
A two-year academic professional policing diploma, providing the opportunity for successful applicants with any degree (except in Professional Policing) to achieve a diploma in Professional Policing Practice with UCLan following appointment as a police officers.
"We are proud to be partnering with Lancashire Constabulary to deliver degree apprenticeships as part of the Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF)"
3. Pre-Join Degree Route
For candidates who hold a degree in Professional Policing. From 2019 a number of Higher Education Institutions (including UCLan) are offering degrees in Professional Policing. After being awarded the degree any graduate could apply to join Lancashire Constabulary as an officer and be trained in operational duties.
The salary for all of the above entry routes is £24,177. Funding for the PCDA and DHEP is provided. Any students undertaking the Pre-Join Degree would fund the Degree themselves.
Chief Constable, Andy Rhodes said: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the University of Central Lancashire to deliver our PCDA and DHEP programmes. These are challenging times for policing at the moment and the new process acknowledges the ever-increasing complexities in crime today.”
Head of People Victor Robinson said: “The PEQF is designed to support the development of policing as a profession with qualifications being delivered through collaboration between police forces and higher education partners. These programmes, being delivered with UCLan, balance the need to provide newly appointed officers the opportunity to receive operational training alongside professionally based academic qualifications.”
Rachel Cragg, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) at, UCLan added: “We are proud to be partnering with Lancashire Constabulary to deliver degree apprenticeships as part of the Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF).
“This builds on our existing relationship with the Constabulary where we are successfully delivering the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy (LFSA).
“UCLan is an experienced provider of Degree Apprenticeships across a range of disciplines to enable public service and private sector employers to develop their workforce.
“We look forward to welcoming learners who are seeking a policing career in Lancashire.”
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “"Police officers come from all walks of life and work around the clock to keep people safe. Investing in our officers will always be a top priority and this new recruiting process is a good opportunity to gain hands on operational policing experience, whilst at the same time obtaining valuable academic qualifications to equip officers with the skills necessary to manage the increasing demands of modern policing."
*Banner picture above shows from left to right: Dave Smith, Lancashire Constabulary PEQF co-ordinator, Ian Allison, Executive Dean of Engineering and Digital Technology at UCLan, Rachel Cragg, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) UCLan, Clive Grunshaw Police and Crime Commissioner, Jon Martin, Head of Change, Lancashire Constabulary, Clive Tattum, UCLan, Victor Robinson, Head of People, Lancashire Constabulary