Transferees

Norfolk is the largest county in East Anglia. There’s lots of picturesque countryside, 90 miles of unspoilt beaches and the Broads National Park. It’s home to the city of Norwich, vibrant towns and many attractions. We can offer you job satisfaction combined with a great quality of life.

Norfolk is divided into four policing commands:

• Norwich
• Broadland and South Norfolk
• Great Yarmouth and North Norfolk
• King’s Lynn and Breckland

Find out more about living in Norfolk.

We are only accepting applications from experienced officers from Home Office forces who have completed their probationary period and are confirmed in rank.

To apply to transfer to Norfolk Police, you must:

• be a police officer in a home office force
• have a minimum of 2 years’ service left to commit to
• hold ‘response driving level’. If not, a start date if successful will be aligned to a response driving course. Please note this can in some cases delay by several ‘months’ due to course availability
• be able to provide your last two Performance Development Reviews (PDR)
• pass the necessary vetting, fitness test and occupational health checks
• meet our attendance standards
• have no outstanding complaints or disciplinary matters and a history that indicates high professional standard and conduct
  be financially solvent
• declare any business interests at the time of applying

The recruitment process will consist of initial application short listing, Professional Standards Department clearance, interview, fitness test, vetting clearance, medical and references. 

If you are ambitious and aspire to a diverse policing career in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, come and join us.

To request an application form and more information, please hit the button above.

Norfolk Police actively promotes an equal opportunities policy. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.

We're looking for police officers and detectives to join us in our beautiful coastal county. As well as career opportunities to match your ambition, we have miles of unspoilt beaches, the fine city of Norwich, and the world-famous Norfolk Broads. 

As a detective, you'll also have the opportunity to work in our modern new policing hubs in Broadland and Swaffham.

About You and Your Policing Background

What is your current rank and role?

Detective Constable – Broadland CID Team 4

How long have you served in policing, and what roles or specialisms have you previously worked in?

I joined Essex Police in March 2021 on the Detective Fast Track Programme, completing initial training and 10 weeks uniform tutorship before beginning my detective pathway career. I have spent time on a Domestic Abuse Team dealing with medium and high-risk DA incidents, CID dealing with a wide range of offences such as stabbings, stalking, robbery, blackmail, arson, spiking and burglary. Before transferring I was on the Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team under the Public Protection Command investigating penetrative sexual offences, this role also meant I frequently assisted the Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Which force did you transfer from?

Essex Police.

What motivated you to consider transferring to another force?

Essex is a very expensive area to live, and property is very expensive for what you get. My wife and I recently got married and our son was born in 2024. We were looking to relocate to a different area of the UK where the cost of living is not as expensive and the pace of life is not as hectic.

Why did you choose Norfolk Constabulary specifically?

Norfolk and more specifically Norwich is an area my wife and I were both familiar with, she had attended university here and I had regularly had family holidays in the area. It is an area that we both loved the idea of moving to. It is a perfect mix of bustling metropolitan areas and more relaxed rural areas.

I specifically chose Norfolk Constabulary as from the outside it appeared to be benefitting from significantly better funding/budget management than my previous force. Also the majority of posts online that I read about working in the force were positive sighting a better work/life balance and more reasonable hours.

Were there any particular aspects about Norfolk—such as culture, leadership, opportunities, community feel, or work–life balance—that stood out to you?

Everything I read online about working in the force seemed positive. Work-life balance seemed much better than in Essex, workloads were lower and generally the feel of the force seemed more relaxed whilst still professional.

How did you find the transfer process from start to finish?

From start to finish the transfer process was pretty straight forward and the recruitment team were always on hand to assist in any questions I had.

It still took quite a while for the process, around 6 months from first expression of interest to landing in Norfolk on my first day. Although, I feel like this can’t really be avoided. It was a long road, but it was a smooth road and everyone I interacted with along the way was helpful and friendly.

What surprised you most when joining Norfolk?

The fact that there are policing teams that actually have time to be visible and proactive in the community. In Essex there was so much ‘new’ crime coming in that there was never any time to conduct proactive enquiries, policing in Essex always felt very reactive. In Norfolk I regularly see RAPT teams conducting speed checks and there are a multitude of different teams such as CPT out and about being visible and taking the fight to the criminals.

How has transferring impacted your career progression or aspirations?

This has remained the same as when in Essex – I know that I am happy to remain where I am for a few years with the view to seek promotion or a more specialist role later down the line. I can see clear opportunities for this in Norfolk.

Are there new opportunities, training, or specialist roles you have been able to explore here?

I have been fortunate enough to be enrolled on training courses in Norfolk much sooner than I would have been enrolled on them in Essex. An example of this is the SSAIDP course, in Essex I was booked on a course in September 2026. I have transferred to Norfolk in January 2026 and already have a place booked for this course in March 2026.

Have you felt supported by your supervisors and colleagues since joining?

Yes! 100% and I can’t stress this enough. Moving to Norfolk has meant my wife, son and I have moved 100 miles away from our normal support networks. Unfortunately, since moving here my son has been ill on multiple occasions meaning I’ve had to take time off work to care for him. My supervisors have made sure I have been able to take the time I need to care for my family and alleviated any concerns I had that I would be judged by the team for having to take time off so early in my career with Norfolk.

How would you describe Norfolk’s policing culture and team environment?

The culture I have seen so far is extremely positive, there is definitely a ‘team feel’ and everyone looks out for each other. I feel supported by my managers but also no one is ‘work shy’ in my team. Whenever there is a live incident or prisoner to deal with everyone is keen and willing to volunteer and help out.

In what ways has transferring influenced your morale, motivation, or passion for policing?

Since transferring I have definitely felt an uplift in my motivation and passion for policing, the challenge of policing a new area with new people and a new culture is very exciting for me. Not only this but workloads are significantly lower than in my previous role, this has meant that I have much more time to dedicate to each individual investigation and I feel like I can positively progress my workload. This is a feeling I did not experience in my last team as resourcing was poor and the workloads were extraordinarily high.

Has joining Norfolk impacted your wellbeing or work–life balance? If so, how?

YES! Since joining Norfolk my work-life balance is significantly better. I am off late far less often as I was in my previous role and I find myself thinking about work less when at home.

The shift pattern here is also significantly better than in Essex for time with my family. I have come from working a 6 on 3 off pattern meaning that some months I never had a weekend at home. The pattern I work now means I have 50% of my weekends at home, this has helped my work-life balance and wellbeing massively.

What differences have you noticed between Norfolk Constabulary and your previous force?

The biggest differences for me have all been around processes and paperwork. I know what I want to do but figuring out how to do it here has been a challenge. Whether it’s because forms or systems are different or sometimes things that would be mandatory to do in Essex for certain investigations aren’t a necessity here and vice versa. Learning all these nuances is proving to be quite a big adjustment for me.

Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of transferring to Norfolk?

Transferring to Norfolk has had a massively positive impact on my personal life, I have been able to buy a home for my family, and my work-life balance is better meaning I have more time to spend with my family. Seeing the impact this is having on mine and my family’s wellbeing has been the most rewarding.

What has made you feel “at home” here?

Everyone who I have come across is open and friendly and always happy to help. This applies across the spectrum of seniority and rank.

What would you tell an officer who is thinking about transferring but unsure about taking the leap?

Do it! The grass isn’t always greener but on this occasions it most certainly has been.