Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)
A Practical Route into Policing
The Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) is a two-year programme designed for people who want to start a policing career through practical, hands-on experience.
From day one, you'll be employed as a police officer and begin developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a fully operational Police Constable.
You'll combine classroom-based learning with frontline policing experience, supported by experienced trainers, tutor constables and operational supervisors throughout your journey.
What You'll Be Doing
Your training will start with an intensive learning phase where you'll develop a strong foundation in:
- Police powers and legislation
- Criminal law and procedure
- Victim care and safeguarding
- Professional standards and ethics
- Communication and conflict management
- Personal safety and officer safety training
As your confidence and capability develop, you'll begin applying this learning in operational environments alongside experienced officers.
You'll progress towards achieving Independent Patrol Status, enabling you to perform many policing duties independently while continuing to receive support and development.
Learning and Development
Training is delivered through a combination of:
- Classroom learning
- Online learning
- Practical roleplay exercises
- Operational policing placements
- Coaching and mentoring
- Guided self-study and reflection
Most training takes place between Merseyside Police's Training Academy at Mather Avenue (South Liverpool) and your assigned operational policing station.
Throughout the programme you'll receive dedicated support including:
- One-to-one development meetings
- Coaching and mentoring
- Personal learning plans
- Regular feedback from supervisors and tutors
Operational Experience
As a PCEP student officer you'll gain experience across a variety of policing environments.
This may include exposure to:
- Response Policing
- Neighbourhood & Proactive Policing
- Community engagement activity
During your second year the focus shifts increasingly towards operational policing, allowing you to develop confidence whilst responding to real incidents and supporting local communities.
Assessment
Throughout the programme you'll complete a range of assessments designed to help you demonstrate your knowledge, skills and operational competence.
Assessments may include:
- Roleplay exercises
- Tutor observations
- Portfolio submissions
- Professional discussions
- Knowledge checks
- Problem-solving projects
You will also be assessed operationally to demonstrate:
- Independent Patrol Status
- Full operational competence
- Readiness for confirmation in rank
Part-Time Working
Following achievement of Independent Patrol Status (normally around week 31), applications for part-time working may be considered.
Please note that all initial training phases must be completed on a full-time basis.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applicants who have previous policing-related experience, such as:
- Special Constable service
- Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) experience
- Relevant policing qualifications
may be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Any decisions regarding RPL will be considered on an individual basis.
Where Could This Lead?
Following successful completion of the programme and probation period, you'll be confirmed in rank as a Police Constable.
Most officers begin their career in Response Policing, providing a strong foundation for future opportunities such as:
- Neighbourhood or Proactive Policing
- Investigations
- Roads Policing
- Criminal Justice
- Firearms
- Dogs & Mounted Section
- Public Order
- Intelligence
- Counter Terrorism
- Contact and Crime Management
- Promotion opportunities
As well as a starting salary of £32,256.00 a year - potentially rising to £52,017.00 within your first seven years – you can also expect:
- 22 days annual leave entitlement, rising in line with length of service
- Police Pension Scheme membership
- Lifestyle benefits, such as a range of sports clubs and on-site gym facilities, Blue Light discount scheme with dozens of online and high street brands
- Continuing professional development and career progression opportunities
To apply, you need to:
- Be over the age of 17 – although we will be happy to take your application, you will not be offered an intake date which starts prior to your 18th birthday (please bear this in mind when applying as this could make your application process quite long).
- You must be a UK, EU citizen with EU settled status, a commonwealth citizen or a foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the UK.
- Resident in the UK for the last 3 years (except for UK military or HM Government personnel working overseas).
- Have Level 2 English and Maths qualifications.
- Have not had a Police Officer application rejected by ourselves, or another Force, in the last 3 months.
- Not be a member of an extreme political organisation such as BNP, Nation Front or Combat 18.
- Not have any tattoos (irrespective of what they are) on the face or neck that are visible above the collar line or below the cuff line.
- Not have any tattoos that may be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or lewd in nature irrespective of placement on the body.
- Not have any charge or summons currently outstanding against you.
- Have not been sentenced to a custodial sentence.
- Not been registered as a sex offender.
- Not be currently registered as bankrupt.
- Have a UK Manual driving licence.
We hold our officers and staff to rigorous standards of behaviour and conduct, and so the process between submitting an application and joining isn’t a quick one.
The different stages of the application process are:
- Basic eligibility check
- Application form submission
- National sift
- Online assessment
- Competency-based video interview
- Written exercise and briefing exercise
- Invitation to interview
- Pre employment checks -
- Fitness
- Medical
- Vetting
- Biometric
- Final reference checks
- Final offer confirming start date
We know the application process can be long, but it’s essential we do everything in our power to only employ the staff and officers our Merseyside communities deserve.
To help make Merseyside Police representative of the communities we serve, we have a dedicated Inclusion team who provide support and guidance throughout the recruitment application process to candidates from underrepresented groups. You can learn more about the support available here.
Ready to start your policing career? Apply for the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) today.