DHEP Interview Questions
and Preparation
UK 2026
A complete guide to Degree Holder Entry Programme interview questions, graduate police assessment preparation, CVF Level 1 behaviours, STAR answer structure, common mistakes, and how to practise before your DHEP assessment.
Route
DHEP
Type
Graduate Entry
Focus
CVF Level 1
Method
STAR
Risk
Generic Answers
Mode
OAC + In-Person
What is the DHEP interview?
There is no separate DHEP interview. If you apply through the Degree Holder Entry Programme you go through the same four stages as other constable applicants: national application form, online sifting tests, the online assessment centre (including a competency-based interview) and a face-to-face interview with your force. You are assessed against the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework (CVF), whose three values are courage, respect and empathy, and public service. A structured STAR answer that shows what you personally did is a sensible way to answer.
A strong DHEP interview answer should:
- Answer the question directly
- Use a real example
- Follow STAR structure
- Focus on personal actions
- Link clearly to a CVF value
- Show maturity and judgement
- Include a clear result
- Explain what you learned
Independent Recruitment Preparation Notice
PolicePay is not part of any police force, the College of Policing, the Home Office, any university partner, or any recruitment provider. This guide is for independent preparation only. Your force sets your dates, deadlines and interview arrangements, so always check its official recruitment instructions. The factual points on this page come from College of Policing publications listed under Sources at the foot of the page. The practice questions, pacing, tips and example answers are PolicePay advice. It is not official guidance and does not guarantee a recruitment outcome.
Guide Directory
What is DHEP?
DHEP stands for Degree Holder Entry Programme. According to the College of Policing it is a two-year programme, fully funded by the police force, that gives you a graduate diploma in professional policing practice (120 academic credits at level 6). Entry requires a level 6 degree in any subject, other than the professional policing degree licensed by the College. It follows the national policing curriculum with some elements removed, such as research and study skills, and probation is two years. Your force lists its exact eligibility rules in its advert, and not every force offers every route.
It is not simply a "fast track". Candidates still need to meet recruitment standards, vetting, fitness, medical requirements and operational competence expectations.
| Feature | DHEP |
|---|---|
| Qualification Requirement | A level 6 degree in any subject, other than the professional policing degree licensed by the College of Policing. |
| Academic Component | Graduate diploma in professional policing practice (120 credits at level 6). |
| Programme Length | Two years (probation is also two years). |
| Interview Focus | CVF values and Level 1 competencies (our summary). |
| Assessment Type | The four national stages, including the OAC and a force interview. |
Is there a DHEP interview?
The national process has the same four stages for every police constable applicant (see below), so a DHEP candidate should expect the online assessment centre and then a face-to-face interview with the force. The route affects your training, qualification and probation, not the stages. Both stages assess your behaviours against the CVF.
The Online Assessment Centre (OAC) is stage three of the four-stage process and includes a competency-based interview (five questions, 60 seconds thinking time, up to 300 seconds to answer), a written exercise and a briefing exercise. Stage four is a face-to-face interview run by your force. Prepare for both; see the OAC explained guide and the in-person interview guide.
Practise both the recorded OAC format and a live-style interview in the simulator.
Start DHEP Practice →Common DHEP Interview Questions
DHEP interview questions are usually competency-based, values-based or motivation-based. They ask for real examples from university, work, volunteering or professional life.
Respect & Empathy
- - Tell us about a time you helped someone vulnerable.
- - Tell us about a time you dealt with someone from a different background.
- - Tell us about a time you adapted your communication style.
- - Tell us about a time you listened carefully before deciding.
- - Tell us about a time you treated someone fairly in a difficult moment.
Courage
- - Tell us about a time you challenged inappropriate behaviour.
- - Tell us about a time you made a difficult decision.
- - Tell us about a time you admitted a mistake.
- - Tell us about a time you stood up for what was right.
- - Tell us about a time you acted even though it was uncomfortable.
Public Service
- - Tell us about a time you put someone else's needs first.
- - Tell us about a time you improved something for others.
- - Tell us about a time you worked under pressure.
- - Tell us about a time you took responsibility for a problem.
- - Tell us about a time you supported your community.
Graduate Readiness & Motivation
- - Why are you moving from your degree into policing?
- - How has your degree prepared you for operational work?
- - Tell us about a time you used critical thinking to solve a problem.
- - Tell us about a time you handled competing priorities.
- - How would you adapt from academic life to shift work and scrutiny?
DHEP Assessment Centre Questions
The national process is more than one interview. Stage two, the online sifting tests, is a situational judgement test and a behavioural styles questionnaire. Stage three, the OAC, has a competency-based interview, a written exercise and a briefing exercise. Stage four is your force's face-to-face interview. The table below is our preparation advice.
| Assessment Type | What it Tests | How to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Interview | CVF evidence. | Prepare around six STAR examples (our suggestion). |
| Video Interview | Concise timed answers. | Timed practice (real OAC limit: up to 300 seconds). |
| Written Exercise | Judgement & written clarity. | Structured written answers. |
| Graduate Readiness | Not tested by the national stages; a force may ask (our view). | Examples of applied learning. |
What CVF Values
Matter for DHEP?
The CVF has three values: courage, respect and empathy, and public service. Initial constable recruitment is assessed at Level 1 of the six competencies. The fourth card, graduate readiness, is our own advice and is not a CVF value.
Respect & Empathy
Focus on listening, dignity, and adapting your style.
Courage
Focus on challenging behaviour and integrity.
Public Service
Focus on ownership and professional outcomes.
Graduate Readiness (our advice)
Critical thinking, reflection, and applied learning.
Coaching tip (our advice):
Do not over-intellectualise. Policing is practical and public-facing. Use plain English and focus on your actions.
How to answer DHEP
using the STAR Method
S: Situation
20-30s
Set the scene briefly.
T: Task
20-30s
Explain your responsibility.
A: Action
90-120s
Personal steps, decisions and communication. core marks.
R: Result
30-40s
Outcome, reflection and learning.
In our view the most common mistake is giving an academic explanation instead of a behavioural example. Focus on what you did. The timings above are our pacing suggestion, not official.
Practise a 3-minute STAR answer →
Example DHEP
Interview Answer
Practice question: Tell us about a time you used feedback to improve your performance.
Illustrative example written by PolicePay. It is not a real candidate answer and was not scored.
"At university I got feedback on an assignment, so I worked harder next time and got a better grade. It was helpful."
Why it fails:
Too vague, no detail on the feedback, no clear personal action or reflection.
Situation: Professional or academic setting.
Task: "My goal was to improve..."
Action: "I reviewed the feedback... I asked for clarification... I changed my approach... I reviewed the outcome..."
Result: "Improved performance... learned to treat feedback as a tool for growth."
DHEP Graduate
Readiness & Maturity
This section is our advice. Your degree is an entry requirement, and the national stages assess you against the CVF rather than academic ability. A force may still ask in its own interview how your degree prepared you, so it helps to have reflective, practical examples ready.
What to Show:
- - Critical thinking & logic
- - Learning from mistakes (Reflection)
- - Applying knowledge to people tasks
- - Professional communication
- - Resilience under dual pressure
"I can apply learning practically... I reflect and improve."
Test Your Graduate Answer →
7-Day DHEP Interview
Preparation Plan
Understand DHEP & Route
Learn the role of a constable and the DHEP expectations.
Select 6 Core Examples
Audit university, work, volunteering or professional life.
Map to CVF & Maturity
Ensure each story shows Respect, Courage, Service or Reflection.
Convert to STAR
Draft bullet points. Ensure Action is the longest part.
Timed Out Loud Practice
Speak answers out loud. Record yourself and check 'I' language.
Audit Result & Learning
Check reflection sections in every answer. Focus on applied learning.
Full Mock Assessment
Practise follow-up questions and timed video response format.
Common DHEP Interview Mistakes
Generic Graduate Talk
Preparing 'grad' answers instead of personal real-life examples.
Over-Intellectualising
Using complex academic language instead of practical behavioural evidence.
The 'We' Trap
Talking about the team's success instead of your personal action.
No Value Link
Failing to connect your actions to the specific CVF behaviour assessed.
Lack of Reflection
Forgetting to say what you learned or would do differently next time.
Route Ignorance
Not understanding that DHEP is an operational policing role first.
DHEP Interview
Preparation Checklist
Be able to explain what DHEP is and why you chose it, if asked.
Explain why graduate entry suits you.
Provide 2 examples for each CVF value.
Provide 1 example showing reflection/applied learning.
Answer in STAR format (Action is longest).
Speak for 3 minutes without rambling.
Use 'I' language consistently.
Give a clear result and personal reflection.
Understand basic police values and public service.
Practise follow-up questions.
Practise DHEP Questions
Before the Real Assessment
Reading questions is useful. Practising your answer out loud is what actually improves performance. Free practice mode gives you questions and a timer; personal CVF feedback on your own answers is a paid option.
DHEP Question Bank
Practice questions written by PolicePay for constable interviews.
Graduate Readiness Prompts
Practise answering questions about maturity & reflection.
CVF Level 1 Feedback
Identify missing behaviours before the real assessment.
Independent Preparation Tool. Not officially affiliated.
DHEP Interview
FAQs
What questions are asked in a DHEP interview?
The competency-based interview in the online assessment centre asks how you have handled situations in the past, using examples from work or personal life, and you are assessed against the CVF. Topics could include helping someone vulnerable, challenging poor behaviour, working under pressure or using feedback. A force may ask about your degree and motivation in its own interview. The questions on this page are PolicePay practice questions, not real ones.
How do I prepare for a DHEP interview?
Prepare by learning the three CVF values and the Level 1 behaviours, understanding the DHEP route, choosing real examples, structuring each answer using STAR, practising out loud under timed conditions and checking that each answer includes personal action, a result and reflection.
Is the DHEP interview different from PCEP or PCDA?
The four national recruitment stages and the CVF are the same. The routes differ in entry requirements and training: the College of Policing says the DHEP needs a level 6 degree in any subject and is a two-year programme leading to a graduate diploma in professional policing practice. In our view it is sensible to be ready to explain how your degree or work experience has prepared you, if your force asks, but the national assessments assess behaviours against the CVF.
Does DHEP use the Online Assessment Centre?
Yes. Since March 2026 all forces in England and Wales must use the same four stages for police constables: a national application form, online sifting tests, an online assessment (the OAC) and a face-to-face interview with the force you are applying to join. The requirement comes from regulation 10 of the Police Regulations 2003 and covers every new constable except officers transferring from another force. The route affects your qualifications, training and probation length, not the national sift or OAC exercises. Forces can add approved assessments: the College's reasonable adjustments guidance names a detective constable DHEP assessment process as one example. Your force sets your dates and deadlines.
What CVF values are tested in DHEP interviews?
Candidates are assessed against the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework (CVF), which has three values: courage, respect and empathy, and public service. The College sets initial police constable recruitment at Level 1, which applies to the six competencies rather than the values. The same framework applies whichever route you apply for.
How long should a DHEP interview answer be?
In the OAC interview you get 60 seconds of thinking time and up to 300 seconds to record each answer, so follow the on-screen timings. Our practice timer uses three minutes, which is our suggestion rather than a College rule. Keep the Situation and Task brief, the Action should be the longest part, and the Result should clearly explain the outcome and learning.
Can I use examples from university?
Yes. DHEP candidates can use examples from university, work, volunteering, sport, caring responsibilities or community experience, as long as the example clearly shows the behaviour being assessed.
What is the biggest reason candidates fail DHEP interviews?
In our view common reasons include weak STAR structure, using 'we' instead of 'I', vague examples, no clear result, poor reflection, over-intellectualised answers and failing to link the answer to the CVF value being assessed.
Should I memorise DHEP interview answers?
Do not prepare a script to bring: prepared notes or scripts are not allowed in the online assessment, and evidence that notes were prepared beforehand may result in an automatic fail. You can make notes on the platform during the exercise. Prepare flexible examples and practise structure instead, because memorised answers can sound unnatural and may not fit if the question is worded differently.
How can I practise DHEP interview questions?
Use timed practice, record your answers, review your STAR structure and check whether you clearly explain your personal action, result and learning. The PolicePay Mock Interview Simulator is designed for this type of practice.
Candidate Hub
Central police recruitment authority library.
5 min readAssessment by Entry Route
What is the same on every route and what can differ.
5 min readOAC Preparation Plan
2-week and 4-week plans for the online assessment.
5 min readMock Interview Simulator
Timed practice with CVF feedback.
5 min readPCEP Interview Preparation
Guide for the non-degree entry route.
5 min readPCDA Interview Preparation
Guide for the degree apprenticeship route.
5 min readHow to Pass the Interview
Practical CVF & STAR guide.
5 min readCVF Interview Questions
Level 1 questions and STAR structures.
5 min readOAC Interview Questions
Prep for the Online Assessment Centre.
5 min readPolice STAR Interview Answers
How to structure competency answers.
5 min readWhy Candidates Fail
Common mistakes and how to fix them.
5 min readLast reviewed 30 September 2026
Sources for the factual points on this page: College of Policing police constable entry routes (updated 5 November 2024) · College of Policing, police constable recruitment regulations change (17 March 2026) · College of Policing online assessment candidate guide (updated July 2026) · College of Policing Competency and Values Framework. Coaching tips, pacing suggestions and sample answers are PolicePay advice and are not official.
Methodology & Independence Notice
PolicePay is an independent explanatory and preparation platform. The factual points come from College of Policing publications listed under Sources above; the advice, practice questions and examples are ours. It is not official recruitment guidance, does not replace force-specific instructions, and does not guarantee any assessment outcome. Your force sets its own dates, deadlines and interview arrangements.