Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Can you see yourself as a Police Officer?

Do you want a career which is challenging, where no two days are the same and where your actions and decisions will help to ensure that Staffordshire is a safer place to live?

Are you interested in obtaining a degree and being able to “learn while you earn”?

If so, then a career as a police officer with Staffordshire Police may be just the job for you. Police officer recruitment has changed and new student officers will learn on the job as well as studying at for a degree.

To be eligible for this route and to apply you must have the following; 

Please be aware, we will require copies of your certificates in order for you to progress through the recruitment process - Please upload these via the Certificate upload section. 

• Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths for example a GCSE at grade C (level 4) or above, Functional Skills Level 2, Key Skills Level 2 (Communication and / or Literacy) or Adult Numeracy / Literacy PLUS
• Level 3 qualification(s) in any subject(s) that equate to 64 UCAS points (or a full level 4 or 5 qualification) - these points could be from your A Levels, Level 3 Diplomas, NVQs and an International Baccalaureate to name a few. Please check your UCAS points before applying here; https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
• Please note you will be required to upload your Maths & English certificates as well as all Level 3 qualification(s) certificates
• Hold a full UK manual driving licence

For more information about becoming a Police Constable at Staffordshire Police, please click on the link below:

Police Officer | Staffordshire Police

We have a range of intakes, candidates will be informed on which intake they would join following a successful selection process.

Familiarisation Event

If you would like to find out more about the role there will be a familiarisation event on 11th June 2026 at 1800 on Microsoft Teams. To register for this event please click on on the below link. Please ensure you register by 12 midday the day prior in order to receive your link.

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) Familiarisation Event - 11th June 2026 - MS Teams - Staffordshire Police

We will also be holding a familiarisation event on 6th August 2026 at 18:00hrs at Staffordshire Police HQ, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0YY. Please ensure you register by 1200 the day prior, if you do not register then you will not be permitted to attend. 

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) Familiarisation Event - 6th August 2026 - Staffordshire Police HQ - Staffordshire Police

Selection Process

•    Application - Open until 11th September 2026
•    National Sift - Throughout vacancy live dates
•    Online Assessment Centre - 20th August-27th August 2026, 24th September-1st October 2026, 22nd October-29th October 2026.
•    Face to Face Interview - w/c 12th October 2026, w/c 9th November 2026 and w/c 7th December 2026
•    Pre-Employment Checks

**PCDA Courses running on various dates throughout 2027**

In addition to your salary, you will have access to a range of benefits including:
 
•    Access to health and wellbeing support 
•    Eye care vouchers
•    On site Gyms 
•    Annual Leave entitlement.
•    Pension Scheme 
•    Sick pay scheme
•    Fostering friendly policy
•    Family friendly policies – maternity, paternity, parental leave, adoption, disability leave and carers leave 
•    Reward and Recognition
•    Blue light Card 
•    Lottery
•    Free Parking at selected sites 
•    Onsite Catering facilities 
•    Federation Support
•    Financial Products and services 
•    Staff Networks to support 
•    Cycle to work scheme

Please note; Annual leave dates are already set for the duration of the course therefore if you have any holidays/special occasions booked for 2027 these may not be accommodated and result in a delay of a start date. Please inform us of any dates at the point of an offer.

Closing date for receipt of submitted applications: 12 Midday 11th September 2026

Due to the high volume of interest in this position, we may have to close the advert earlier than anticipated. We would encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Staffordshire Police is fully supportive of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and strives to employ a workforce that represents the community we serve. 

Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit.  We encourage and welcome applications from  all underrepresented groups which include: Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, female, people who have a disability, those who are neurodivergent and persons of the LGBTQ+ community.

We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted step-In support and advice sessions.  If you have the skills, experience and values, that here in Staffordshire Police we pride ourselves on, then we would welcome you to apply.

There will be Step in support sessions throughout the selection process. The first session will take place on DATE ,For more information on Positive Action please email the team on positive.action@staffordshire.police.uk

Residency Eligibility 

Please note you will need to have been a resident in the UK for the last three years consecutively for RV Level roles and five years for MV Level roles (see below link around Vetting for more information)

Please note if you are successful at interview and commence pre-employment checks this will include vetting, please see what this involves and the process via the below link:

Police vetting process | Join The Police (joiningthepolice.co.uk)

We want to continually improve our recruitment processes and to remove any barriers to equal opportunities that could disadvantage those from particular backgrounds. In order for us to have the information to do this, we ask you to please complete the diversity section of the online application process. We use a “blind” shortlisting process and we hope that by using this method we will be able to promote greater diversity in our workforce and remove any subconscious decisions based on biases.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible and we operate the Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

If you need reasonable adjustments to progress your application please contact hrrecruitment.team@staffordshire.police.uk to discuss your needs.

Staffordshire Police aim to ensure a person with a disability has the right to access everyday work spaces and services. Access is not only about a physical means of entry; it is about making services easy to use for everyone.