Detective
Detective Entry Routes
Detective pathways built on the constable entry routes: a detective degree holder entry programme for graduates and, in some forces, a detective police constable entry programme that usually needs no degree.
Also searched as direct entry detective, detective constable jobs, dc dhep. We currently see 5 forces referencing this route, with 2 live adverts we can read directly.
Short answer
Detective pathways built on the constable entry routes: a detective degree holder entry programme for graduates and, in some forces, a detective police constable entry programme that usually needs no degree. New constables start on £32,255 a year, more in London and South East forces that pay allowances. On 1 October 2026 the national joining the police website listed 10 forces recruiting through this route. You apply to the force, not to a national scheme.
Forces listing Detective on 1 October 2026
From the national joining the police website's Detective entry list, read on 1 October 2026. It is a dated reading, not a live feed, and drops off this page once it is more than five weeks old.
Cumbria
North West · from £32,255
Essex
East of England · from £35,360
GMP
North West · from £32,255
Hampshire
South East · from £34,325
Kent
South East · from £35,360
Leicestershire
East Midlands · from £32,255
the Met
London · from £42,334
Northumbria
North East · from £32,255
Suffolk
East of England · from £32,255
West Midlands
West Midlands · from £32,255
Length
Two-year probation, plus the learning needed for PIP 2 accreditation
Who it's for
Candidates who want to work in investigation (CID, safeguarding, major crime) from the start rather than in response policing.
Pay
£32,255 from day one, more with allowances
What you need
- A degree for the detective DHEP; the detective PCEP usually needs no degree
- A pass in the National Investigators' Exam (NIE) before sign-off as a PIP 2 investigator
- The same eligibility, vetting, fitness and medical standards as any constable
Worth knowing first
- You are a warranted constable first and may do some uniformed duty
- Only those signed off at PIP 2 can use the title substantive detective (College PIP policy)
- Detective intakes are force-specific and open less often than general routes
Forces advertising Detective
Filtered to forces where our last check found this route. Forces whose systems block automated reading won't appear here even if they are recruiting — the full board shows every force with its data source.
35
live vacancies we can read
1
forces with a readable job feed
2
forces confirmed recruiting
Last checked today. We check every force twice a day and show you exactly where each answer came from.
Showing 5 of 43 forces
West Midlands Police
Read from West Midlands Police's own job board, today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Greater Manchester Police
Read from Greater Manchester Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Derbyshire Constabulary
Read from Derbyshire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Leicestershire Police
Read from Leicestershire Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
City of London Police
Read from City of London Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£42,334
incl. £10,079 allowances
≈ £2,528/mo take-home
Detective questions
Which forces are recruiting Detective in 2026? +
On 1 October 2026 the national joining the police website listed Cumbria Constabulary, Essex Police, Greater Manchester Police, Hampshire Constabulary, Kent Police, Leicestershire Police, Metropolitan Police, Northumbria Police, Suffolk Constabulary, West Midlands Police as recruiting through detective entry (degree holder or force detective programme). Routes open and close often, so confirm on the force's own site.
What is Detective Entry Routes? +
Detective pathways built on the constable entry routes: a detective degree holder entry programme for graduates and, in some forces, a detective police constable entry programme that usually needs no degree.
Who is Detective for? +
Candidates who want to work in investigation (CID, safeguarding, major crime) from the start rather than in response policing.
How long does Detective take? +
Two-year probation, plus the learning needed for PIP 2 accreditation. You are a warranted constable first and may do some uniformed duty.
What do you need to apply for Detective? +
A degree for the detective DHEP; the detective PCEP usually needs no degree. A pass in the National Investigators' Exam (NIE) before sign-off as a PIP 2 investigator. The same eligibility, vetting, fitness and medical standards as any constable.
What does Detective pay? +
Detective entrants are paid as police constables from day one: £32,255 a year at pay point 1 on the national scale, more in forces that pay a London or South East allowance. That is roughly £1,952 a month after tax, National Insurance and the police pension contribution.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
PCDA
Three years, with a three-year probation
DHEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
Transferee
Set by the receiving force; vetting and references are the usual waits
Rejoiner
Probation of 6 months if you rejoin within 12 months at your old rank, otherwise 12 months
Specials
Ongoing, with a minimum monthly hours commitment set by each force
PCSO
Permanent role, starting with an initial learning programme
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts