Police officers

Minimum qualification requirement – None

The PCDA is a three-year practice-based higher-education programme, leading to a BSc Hons Degree in Professional Policing Practice. It will bring together class room based learning with practical learning and on the job training and experience. The force covers all course fees relating to this entry route.

Those successful on the PCDA entry programme will be fully qualified and signed off as Police Officers after three years.

There is no minimum limit for qualification requirements to join through the PCDA. If you have a level 3 qualification this can be uploaded at the point of application as your education requirement for this route.

If you do not have a level 3 qualification you will be asked to complete an online English and Maths competency based assessment. Successful completion of this online assessment will qualify as your education requirement for this route.

Minimum qualification requirement: Degree Level (minimum Level 6)

The DHEP is a two-year programme combining on-the-job practical learning and operational competence with academic learning. Upon completion, successful candidates will also achieve a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice. The force covers all course fees relating to this entry route.

Those successful on the DHEP entry programme will be fully qualified and signed off as Police Officers after two years.

Minimum qualification requirement: Degree in Professional Policing Practice

The Degree in Professional Policing Practice is for those who have chosen to complete the degree at a Higher Education Institution of their choosing, at their own cost.

Candidates recruited via this route will also undertake academic and practice-based training to develop specific skills and will be assessed against national criteria and operational competencies.

To be eligible to apply via this route applicants must achieve their Professional Policing Degree before applying to join the police service or be in the final year of their degree at the time of application and achieve their degree prior to appointment. Successful applicants will then enjoy a shorter on-the-job training programme. N.B. If you wish to take this route into Gwent Police you must apply to join within 5 years of graduating.

Joining Gwent Police as a new police constable is the start of an exciting and rewarding journey that could take you anywhere.

Policing is not all about being on the front line. Once you have completed your probationary period and become a full constable there are a variety of different roles you can progress into, each with competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
Whether its dog handling, public protection or the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), there is a range of potential career opportunities waiting for you.

The recruitment process can typically take at least 6 months to fully complete. Further information on each stage of the application/recruitment process can be found further down the page.

• Online Application Form
• Online Assessment Centre
• Force Interview
• Pre-employment Checks
• Successful appointment

Before starting the recruitment process, please view the video testimonials at the bottom of this page to see if a career in Policing is right for you!

The first step will be an online application process which includes some eligibility ‘killer questions’. If you pass this stage you will be required to complete several online tests and an application form. There are 2 tests that every applicant must complete (regardless of qualifications), these are a Situational Judgement Test and a Behavioural Style Questionnaire. Both of these must be passed in order to continue in the application process. All test results are provided instantly online.

Proof of Qualification

You will be required to upload and attach your relevant Degree or Level 3 or equivalent Certificate before you submit your application. If you do not have a copy of this you will need to obtain one from the appropriate educational establishment.

If your Degree (or Level 3 qualification) was achieved outside of the UK, you must achieve ratification from a Higher Education Establishment within the UK to evidence your qualification is recognised at Degree standard (or level 3 standard). You can obtain a statement of comparability via this website - https://www.enic.org.uk/

If you do not have a Level 3 qualification or above you must also successfully pass a verbal reasoning and maths calculation test. This will test your academic ability to Level 3.

Due to COVID 19 an online assessment process will be used until further notice.

The new process will enable rapid recruitment without face-to-face contact while social distancing measures are required. It will also enable secure online assessment to be part of an efficient and user-friendly candidate journey in the future.

The online assessment process consists of a three-stage approach designed for the efficient assessment and recruitment of police constables.

Stage 1 – Situational Judgement Test (SJT)

This test measures your ability to choose the appropriate action in situations similar to those you are likely to face as a police constable. This test will measure your judgement and ability to make effective decisions against the Competency and Values Framework for Policing.

Gwent Police uses our own shortlisting tools so if you are invited to take part in the online assessment centre you will start the process at STAGE 2.

Stage 2 – Competency-based Interview

You will be asked a series of questions about how you have dealt with specific situations in the past. This is your opportunity to provide some examples of the key competencies and values that are important for police constables. You can use examples from both your work and your personal life.

Stage 3a – Written Assessment

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have to complete an urgent written task for your line manager. You will receive four items of information to help you with this task.

Stage 3b – Briefing Exercise

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have responsibility for dealing with some issues presented to you. You will be tasked with providing a response to a number of questions in relation to this issue. You will be provided with preparation materials to consider your answer.

Please note that you will receive and be able to take stages 3a and 3b separately.

What technology do I need?

You can use a desktop or laptop computer, as well as mobile devices to complete your assessments and interview. If planning on using a mobile device, please download ‘Launchpad interview’ from your device’s app store.

Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, browsers are supported and recommended, though others may work too.

You will need speakers or headphones to hear instructions, and a webcam or inbuilt camera and microphone, to record sound and video.

The interview process has been designed to get a more rounded picture of you as an individual. It examines how your values and those of Gwent Police might match.

By carrying out this interview we are ensuring that you are making the right career choice and thus will have every chance of being a successful Gwent Police constable.

The purpose of the second interview is to verify your suitability in line with the Policing values and behaviours within the competency value framework to become a police officer at Gwent Police.

During the interview, we will check your understanding of the police force, your previous experience and skills and your desire to become a Police Officer and serve the community.

You will be asked four questions during the interview, but may be probed further to ascertain more information.

We may ask for specific examples of when you have dealt with situations focusing on your experience and skills.

We may also ask you forward facing questions on how you would deal with certain circumstances.

You may want to structure your response in line with the STAR Model:

• SITUATION - Set the scene.
• TASK - Outline what the goal to achieve was.
• ACTION - Describe the actions you took.
• RESULTS - What was the RESULT or a need to REVIEW.

The interview will last approximately 30 minutes.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of interview.

Try to relax and be yourself during the interview, be honest and tell us about yourself.

Please wear smart business attire and arrive on time for your interview slot.

Further to your assessment centre, there are various in-force stages you will also be required to successfully complete:

Fitness test

• You will be required to meet the national standards for police officers. This involves a shuttle run to level 5/4 (bleep test).
• If you don’t meet the standard first time around, you can take the test again (up to a maximum of three times).

Drugs and biometric testing

• The drugs test will involve undergoing a questionnaire on any medication you are taking, or have been taking, and a hair sample.
• Biometric testing will involve taking fingerprints and a DNA (mouth) swab, which will be checked against a national database.
• If you should fail the drugs test you will not be offered a position with Gwent Police. Any internal candidates who fail a drugs test will have their offer withdrawn and the results from the drugs test may be used in accordance with the Gwent Police Staff Discipline Police and Police Staff Code of Conduct.

Vetting and references

• References are required to cover a minimum of 3 years of continuous employment history. If you have not been in employment for 3 years we will look to obtain education and personal references.

Medical assessment

• Due to the nature of police work, good health and fitness is paramount. However, applications are welcome from people with disabilities and every effort will be made to make reasonable adjustments if required. There are certain medical conditions and disorders that may have a detrimental effect on your ability to conduct the role effectively; each case will be considered carefully as part of the medical process.

• The Home Office sets BMI standards for police officers. The current Home Office circular 59/2004 outlines this as between 18 and 32. Applicants who do not meet this standard may find their application delayed and / or will not be appointed.

• Police Officer applicants with a BMI over 32 will not be considered fit unless their body fat percentage is less than 30% for men or 36% for women.

These pre-appointment checks can sometimes take between three and six months. Please be aware that you must attend any appointments in your own time, including your uniform fitting appointment.

Once you have completed all pre-employment checks, you will move to the next stage of the process.

For uniformed roles, you'll be allocated a place on the next available intake and allocated a uniform fitting appointment.

For staff roles, you will receive information about a start date, be provided with an offer letter, the terms and conditions applicable to the role and receive contact from your line manager.

Our exciting new PCDA and DHEP courses and the academic regime behind them, mean that annual leave will be restricted during the initial 6 months of your probation. On appointment you will be provided with 3 designated weeks off during your initial 6 months of training. Unfortunately, due to constantly changing force requirements we are unable to provide intake/leave dates in advance.

The first 26 weeks of police training will be classroom-based. Police officers and police staff trainers will deliver the course at a police-training establishment in Cwmbran.

This is a non-residential course designed to help maximise learning potential both academically and practically and start developing operational policing skills. The classroom syllabus is based on the curriculum developed by the College of Policing, which covers all areas required for the role of a Police Constable. Various E-learning packages alongside fitness, first aid and personal safety training will also be undertaken.

At various stages of the course, student constables will need to demonstrate their understanding and knowledge through informal and formal assessment processes. This will include multiple choice examinations, assignments and practical assessments. Constables are always expected to display the appropriate behaviour and attitude during their training in line with the police service’s Code of Ethics.

Following the successful completion of classroom-based training, officers will commence a period of tutoring at an operational police station with a qualified tutor. Successful completion of the tutor phase will allow student constables to be placed on independent patrol.

In years two and three (depending on entry route), whilst working in an operational environment, student constables on the apprenticeship will be working towards achieving a degree in Professional Policing Practice whilst Degree holder student constables will be working towards achieving a Graduate Certificate in Professional Policing.

Recruits on both programmes will be required to complete an occupational competency portfolio during their probationary period and will be required to complete a level of private study, outside of working hours.

Please be aware that on appointment and during your service you may be posted to any location in Gwent Police based on operational need.

Applicants should also be aware that although they will be entitled to a level of protected study time in the workplace to support their professional development, it is also likely that some students will also need to undertake private study, outside of working hours. It is estimated that any learner on a degree or graduate diploma programme will carry out an average of 5 hours per week private study, although this will very much dependent upon the student.

All learners are required to successfully complete the required qualification. Please note that “protected learning time” will be subject to organisational need.

You'll enjoy the advantages of a contributory pension scheme, which is a Career Average Revalued Earnings Scheme (CARE).

Our equality and diversity objectives are enforced through an established Equality and Diversity Board. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring we consistently treat our colleagues and public with fairness, dignity and respect.

Our employee assistance programme is provided by CareFirst, is free to all and available 24 hours a day all year round, providing confidential support for problems that can affect performance, health, and mental and emotional wellbeing.

We offer an Occupational Health and Welfare Unit to help maintain both your physical and psychological health while at work. The service is confidential and includes a counselling service. 

The Occupational Health team aims to support attendance and effectiveness by working proactively to minimise health risks and to promote individual responsibility for health, fitness and wellbeing. You are also eligible for a free eye test.

There are many sports teams for you to join from running, hockey, fishing and football. There are also free gym facilities at a number of our sites.

We have a full occupational maternity leave policy available to all employees of Gwent Police. 52 weeks maternity in total: 18 weeks at full pay, 21 weeks of statutory maternity pay, and 13 weeks of no pay. This is subject to length of service. We also offer an adoption leave policy.

There are a range of associations, networks and groups supporting our workforce and Gwent Police has a range of initiatives and schemes to help colleagues develop.

Our staff networks offer support and friendship to our officers, staff and the local community alike. They work to support and advise colleagues nationally and we are proud of the active part they play in influencing policing across the UK.

The networks and associations include:

• The Disability Support Network
• The Women in Policing Network (GWiP)
• The Gwent Police Ethnic Minority Association (GEMA)
• The LGBT+ Network
• The Christian Police Association
• The Mental Health Support Network
• Police Sport Gwent
• Police Superintendents Association
• Welsh Speakers and Learners Network
• Unison and
• The Police Federation.

Only Police Officers can join the Police Federation, if you opt to join the Police Federation, you can choose to join a life insurance scheme with awards payable to your spouse or partner, and to any dependents. In addition to accessing crucial illness and sickness cover, you can take out insurance, at a preferential rate, to cover any legal expenses connected to your job, and also benefit from the best rehabilitation facilities.

To promote healthy journeys to work, Gwent Police and Cycle Solutions have working together to provide staff and officers with the opportunity with a new bike and safety equipment, with big discount off the total price, spreading the cost over 18 months.

Lifestyle and organisational discounts including gym memberships (as well as on-site gyms), restaurants, takeaways, travel, financial products, an eye care scheme and more.