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The PCDA programme is an entry route into policing for those who want to become police officers whilst also earning a degree.
Open to non-degree holders, this three-year apprenticeship provides you with the opportunity to earn as you learn and achieve a BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Policing Practice on successful completion of the programme.
This programme is delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University and all degree costs are covered by the constabulary.
Key Features of PCDA
Teaching provider | Anglia Ruskin University & Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary Learning and Development Department |
Award accreditation | BSc (Hons) Professional Policing Practice |
Minimum qualification requirements |
Minimum Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) English and Maths and two A-Levels (or equivalent 64 UCAS points). |
Rank on entry | Police Constable |
Length of study | 3 years study (2 year probationary period) |
Mode of delivery | Year 1: Course at Hethersett Old Hall together with online courses and work-based learning thereafter. Year 2: Further work-based learning and 5 weeks and 4 days consolidation course. Year 3: 7 weeks consolidation course (Total 12 weeks, 4 days) |
Hours of working | Full time working (40 hours per week) requirement during initial learning phase with option of applying for flexible working thereafter. |
Annual leave entitlement | Officers working full-time are entitled to 22 days annual leave per year, excluding bank holidays. Entitlements are pro-rata for officers working less than full-time hours, and increase with length of service. |
Salary | £29,907, with annual increments rising to £48,231 within 7 years, plus paid overtime/unsociable hours and other benefits. |
Assessments and exams | Combination of written assessments, role plays and exams, as well as a work-based portfolio supported by tutor, supervisors and assessors. |
To be a police officer you must:
You will need a minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English (Language or Literature) and Maths at a GCSE Grade C and above or level 4 to 9, or equivalent.
In addition to this, you will also need:
Start your PCDA application here
If successful in your application you will receive further information on the structure, learning and assessment requirements of the PCDA programme, upon commencement of your employment.
Our training team are aware your detailed knowledge of policing may be limited, no assumptions are made, and each student officer is offered coaching to achieve the requirements in a very tailored way.
We also have lots of experience if you need any workplace adjustments – everyone will be screened for dyslexia and given personal support as necessary.
PCDA is a three-year learning programme commencing with a 22-week classroom-based learning phase.
The curriculum encompasses 5 core area of policing practice namely, response policing, policing communities, roads policing, information and intelligence and conducting investigations, all of which are critical to the performance of the role of a police constable.
As an Officer, you will also attend Personal Safety Training, First Aid and there are several ICT systems to learn about.
After the initial training course and a period of leave, you will join operational Professional Development Units (PDU’s) where over a period of 14 weeks you will be coached and mentored by trained tutor constables who will support you to achieve a “safe and legal” standard of practice in policing.
By the end of year one, you will have been assessed to check your suitability to be able to progress to Independent Patrol Status (IPS). In gaining IPS you will be fully operationally deployable and able to respond to and deal with incident by yourself.
On completion of your initial tutorship phase with PDU’s, PCDA students will progress to a further 14-week attachment. The teamws available for attachment afford students a protected opportunity to further develop their policing skills without a tutor, but with the close support of an experienced supervisor before entering their Independent Patrol Phase.
PCDA students begin their Independent Patrol Phase (18 weeks) at the beginning of year two where they will continue developing their confidence in an operational policing role and working towards completion of the Operations Competence Portfolio (OCP) and achievement of Full Occupational Competence (FOC).
During year two and three, students will return to the classroom for 12 weeks and 4 days to further develop their understanding about key topics such as leadership, investigation skills, case building and public protection.
To ensure you’ve got the right level of knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, and behaviours, there will be a range of different kinds of assessments across the two years, including:
Operationally you will also be formally assessed performing operational activities to ascertain whether you are a) able to patrol independently (Year 1) and b) toward the end of Year 2 be deemed to be fully competent to be ‘confirmed in rank’. These are key assessments that you must pass.
Throughout the three-year period, developmental review meetings and coaching/mentoring sessions will assist in your development and an individual learning plan will be created to ensure suitable direction and support is available to you according to your own learning needs.