Direct Entry
Detective Constable
Step Into Investigation – Our Direct Entry DC Programme is now Open
The Direct Entry Detective Constable (DEDC) programme provides you with the opportunity to become an accredited detective within two years. Initial training for this programme will commence in November 2026.
We open this challenging programme for a limited time each year to ensure we attract the best candidates and provide dedicated support to your development.
The DEDC programme is a competitive process and only a select number of applicants will be successful. If you meet the core requirements of a Police Constable throughout the process, but do not make it onto the DEDC programme, you may revert to a PC pathway and still have the opportunity to accredit as a detective within three years on our internal routes. There is no need to apply for the PC pathway at the same time as this.
Watch the video below to hear about the role of a Detective Constable at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
What does a Detective do?
Detective constables are police officers performing one of the most demanding, but also rewarding roles in policing.
Detectives constables are the same rank as police constables but undertake different roles. As a detective you will deal with the most serious and complex crime including serious assault, homicide, fraud, robbery and serious and organised crime.
Detectives will investigate by gathering and analysing evidence in some of the most challenging circumstances. They solve cases by being tenacious, inquisitive and having an unwavering sense of duty to reach the truth.
For more information on what a Detective does head to our Detective FAQ page.
Attributes of a Detective Constable
A detective skillset is developed over years of training and experience, but the following attributes are key:
- Report writing
- Critical analysis
- Communication skills
- Taking ownership
- Ability to work under time pressure
Eligibility requirements
- A full driving licence must be held upon application
- A Bachelor’s degree or overseas equivalent as recognised by UK NARIC / UK ENIC. This can be in any subject. Please note, you are still eligible to apply if you are in your final year of study, however your application will be paused at the point of conditional offer of employment, until your results are confirmed.
- Have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to application.
- Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or similar organisation.
- Not have tattoos which could cause offence.
- Be a British or Commonwealth citizen, or an EC/European Economic Area national, or a foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted. Be able to pass the Job Related Fitness Test
Recruitment process
This programme requires several stages of assessments, and can take a number of months, during which you can expect the following:
- Eligibility checks
- College of Policing online assessments
- Application questions to be marked
- In-house assessment day including but not limited to:
- Job related fitness test (JRFT) (5.4 on the bleep test)
- Interview
- Presentation
- Group discussion
- Pre-employment checks which include:
- A medical
- Vetting
- References
- Initial postings – this can be anywhere in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Preferences are taken, however there is no guarantee that you will be allocated to your preferred location.
Step 1: Online registration and application
Initially you will need to submit an online application form.
Following submission of your application, the Recruitment Team will contact you to complete an eligibility assessment, to ensure you meet the entry requirements (such as the relevant qualifications / experience).
Step 2: National sift and online assessment
You will be required to complete two online assessment processes as part of the recruitment process.
The first assessment is the College of Policing national sift assessment, which includes a behavioural styles questionnaire and situational judgement test.
If you pass the national sift assessment, you will then be invited to take the College of Policing national online assessment.
Both of these assessments are completed online, full details will be provided in advance.
Online Assessment:
Step 3: Pre-employment checks
A ‘conditional offer’ will outline all of the pre-employment checks you need to complete, including ‘Right to Work’ documents, references, vetting, medical, job related fitness standards, qualifications and driving licence.
All pre-employment checks need to be satisfactory cleared before an application can proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
A ‘conditional offer’ does not provide confirmation of employment.
Prior to receiving a ‘conditional offer’ and before starting your pre-employment checks, you will need to attend an online awareness session.
The online awareness session provides further information on the role of a police officer, as well as information on the next stages of the recruitment process, and if successful, what your training will look like.
The online awareness session is mandatory as part of the recruitment process, and you will be invited to attend a session early in the recruitment process prior to a ‘conditional offer’ being made.
Pre-employment checks:
Step 4: Offer of employment
Once all pre-employment checks have been completed, you will be informed of the next available intake date / start date.
Once you have been offered an intake date, you will be provided with a ‘firm offer of employment’ which provides confirmation of your start date, alongside further details such as (but not limited to) your collar number, posting area and salary.
Further information will be provided prior to your start date in preparation for joining the Constabulary, such as details of your employment, uniform, and information regarding details for your first day.
Pay & Benefits
Your starting full time salary will be £33,164 (which includes £2000 South-East allowance) plus benefits and will rise to over £50,000 after seven years.
There are lots of lateral opportunities for career development, you can progress as a Detective Sergeant, Detective Inspector and beyond through our clear promotion framework.
In addition our benefits include;
- Competitive pension scheme;
- Generous annual leave allowance (starting at 25 days a year rising to up to 30);
- Retail, food and leisure discounts through Hampshire Police Leisure & Sports and Blue Light Card;
- Excellent wellbeing support including access to counselling and physiotherapy;
- Assisted further education;
- Gym facilities at several of our buildings;
- Access to supportive and active staff groups, networks, associations and bespoke neurodiversity support.
Initial Training
Your initial training will provide you with core policing knowledge, and equip you to take the National Investigators Exam. This exam tests your legal knowledge and we will provide you with support to give you the best chance of success.
You will then be attached to our uniform emergency response teams where you will practice core policing skills and be supported towards independent patrol status.
After this, you will move to our investigative teams where you will have a number of attachments to equip you to become a detective. On completion of these, you will attend our detective training and the remaining part of your two years will be investigating serious and complex crime and becoming accredited as a detective.
If you would like more information please contact us:
Contact the recruitment team;
Please contact the Recruitment Team via email: police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk or call 023 8045 1611.
Want to speak to a detective to know more about the role?
If you want to know more about being a detective you can email the Investigations Workforce Development Team and someone will get in contact with you: InvestigationsWorkforceDevelopmentTeam@hampshire.police.uk
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary serves a vast area of different communities. In order to create an engaging and effective organisation we need to reflect the diverse communities that we serve.
Historically, it has been found that particular groups face disadvantage in joining or progressing through organisations. These can be under-represented groups or individuals with a protected characteristic.
Therefore, positive action can be used to reduce this disadvantage, in the form of taking active steps to support those through recruitment or promotion stages. The Positive Action Team is here to assist in this process and to make Hampshire and IOW Constabulary a diverse and inclusive organisation