More DHEP information

Please note that this programme is subject to validation process at the University of Chester. The validation event is due to take place in June 2022.

Transfer my Assessment score to Cheshire Constabulary

As part of the recruitment process, Cheshire Constabulary will consider applications from individuals who have achieved an overall pass mark of 50% within the past 24 months at a SEARCH Assessment Centre, Day ONE or have achieved a pass mark at the Online Assessment.
If you have attended an assessment within the last 24 months, meet the national standard of 50% or above and the Cheshire Constabulary eligibility criteria then we would be happy to consider your application and request that you contact us prior to applying for further advice and guidance.

Feedback

Due to the large volume of applications we envisage to receive we are not in a position to provide any individual feedback in relation to candidate application forms or interviews. However, once all interviews are completed we will provide general feedback sessions which will cover common unsuccessful themes and improvements tips. Please note candidates will be invited to book on to these sessions.

If candidates would like to receive feedback regarding the assessment centre, candidates are advised to contact the College direct.

Giving notice

You are strongly advised not to hand your notice into your current employer until you have received your Formal Offer. Successful candidates will receive their Formal Offer of Employment once all pre-employment checks have been successfully completed and an intake date confirmed.

Tattoos

Tattoos that may be potentially visible on an officers’ arms should not be offensive or unacceptable if they could be reasonably interpreted as being discriminatory, violent, intimidating, aggressive, homophobic, offensive and/ or indicate attitudes or views inconsistent with the College of Policing’s Code of Ethics and the Standards of Professional Behaviour.
Tattoos on the neck, face and hands will not proceed through the recruitment process.
All tattoos that can be fully covered and that are not detailed in the Domestic Extremism: Symbols and Tattoos guidance will be reviewed as part of the recruitment process.
Cheshire Constabulary may also on occasions consider the merits of an individual’s application to be exempt from elements of the policy relating to tattoos. A panel chaired by the Deputy Chief Constable would make such decisions on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, such tattoos of a cultural nature will be considered and may be exempt from elements of this policy, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Contacting us about your application

Regular updates will be provided but candidates can also contact us about their application. Don't call 999 or 101 in relation to your application.

Age limit

To be eligible to apply, you must have obtained a degree. If you are 17 years old at the point of application you will not be eligible for this entry route, but you can apply for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.
It’s important to note that you will need to be 18 before you can start in the position.
There is no maximum age limit on applications, candidates are required to be both physically fit and healthy to perform policing duties safely and effectively.

Qualification Requirement

Applicants must have a United Kingdom- UK (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in any subject, minimum 2:2 classification.
The programme welcomes applications from individuals who have achieved a UK (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in any subject and lower than a 2:2 classification. Candidates will need to demonstrate relevant work or life experience and demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from Level 6 Graduate Diploma studies.

Prior to the interview stage of the recruitment process, it will have been identified if your current qualifications do not meet the standard entry requirements for the course. An Academic member of staff from the University will be a member of the interview panel (for the candidates in-force interview) and you may be asked additional questions by the academic member of staff. An academic equivalence interview sheet will be compiled from your response to the questions that are asked during the interview process.
Candidates will need to demonstrate relevant work or life experience and demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from Level 6 Graduate Diploma studies.

In this instance an Academic member of staff from the University will be a member of the interview panel (for the candidate’s in-force interview) and you will be asked additional questions by the academic member of staff.

Graduates who have completed and passed the BA/BSc in Professional Policing (Pre-join degree) or the BA/BSc in Professional Policing Practice (Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship – PCDA), are ineligible to apply for the programme.

Programme Progression

The Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice is aligned to the College of Policing’s National Curriculum for the role of Police Constable. Progression through the programme will depend upon the conditions set out below:

In order to progress into year 2, the DHEP Student Officer must have achieved:

• Independent Patrol Status by end of Year 1 of DHEP.
• The DHEP Student Officer will have successfully completed all first-year degree modules, including all practical performance learning outcomes

DHEP Student Officers’ will successfully complete the Programme assessment requirements if they achieve the below:

• Successfully pass the second -year modules.
• Achieving Full Operational Competence, evidenced by a work-based Operational Competence Portfolio (OCP)
• DHEP Student Officer will then be awarded the Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice

Commuting distance

If not in a commutable distance to Cheshire Constabulary you may need to consider moving to an area closer to work as if successful through the recruitment process you may be posted to any of our Local Policing Units across Cheshire.

Changes in circumstance

Any significant changes in personal circumstances during your application, such as permanent partner, new residents at your home, change of address, arrests, cautions or convictions or association with criminals you should contact us.

Medical history

Each application is considered on an individual basis and reviewed by our Occupational Health Department.

Probationary period

The probationary period for a police constables on the degree holder entry programme is two years.

Working hours

Police officers work a 40-hour week. Depending on where you are posted, the shift patterns may vary. A shift pattern will consist of early shifts, late shifts, night shifts, bank holidays and weekend shifts. Operational demands may require your rostered shift/rest days to be cancelled and re-scheduled at short notice.

Part-time work

The initial two-year probationary period is full-time. Once your probation has been confirmed a request for flexible working can be made.