Detective constable
5. Training
After successfully completing the recruitment process and joining the two-year Detective Constable, Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), you'll start your learning to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and competencies required to be an effective detective, whilst working towards achieving a graduate diploma in Professional Policing Practice. All learning and operational deployments on the Detective pathway are contextualised and applied to an investigative context.
Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme
Unlike more traditional qualifications, the DHEP Detective entry route is a vocational course that focuses on practical learning and is specifically tailored for a career in policing. You’ll learn how policing works in theory, so that when you encounter practical situations in real life, you’ll be prepared and know what to do.
You’ll be employed as an detective constable from day one, spending the majority of your time on the frontline, you will be fully supported in applying your academic learning practically on the job. you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to be an effective officer and investigator, while you work towards gaining your diploma. This programme will be delivered in partnership with four London universities (Brunel University London; the University of West London; Anglia Ruskin University; and the University of East London).
You’ll start your learner journey to becoming a detective constable with a three-day induction at the Met and a further two days at your appointed university. Your learning will cover a wide range of policing topics including officer safety training, emergency life support, safeguarding, crime investigation and operational policing skills.
On successfully completing all elements of the DHEP, including operational and academic assessments, you'll be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice and will become a fully qualified substantive detective constable.
From your second week, you’ll undergo 16 weeks of initial police foundation learning at your university. During this time you’ll spend a week at your allocated Basic Command Unit (BCU) where you’ll have an opportunity to meet your colleagues and familiarise yourself with the area you’ll be working. You’ll learn more about frontline policing and undertake some operational training to help put your new skills into practice and contextualise your initial learning.
You’ll then do eight weeks of Street Duties on your BCU, where you’ll learn alongside experienced police officers putting your theory into practice with the support of dedicated detective tutor constable through coached patrols. You'll obtain Independent Patrol status (IPS) on successful completion of your Street Duties course.
Having achieved your IPS the remainder of your probation will primarily be spent on the frontline, doing a number of different operational deployments where you will be supported by investigative coaches.
You’ll start with eight weeks within the investigations team, developing your investigative skills whilst working towards achieving your Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) level 1 and National Investigations Exam (NIE). You’ll then return to university for six weeks of detective focused training.
For the rest of their first year, and during your second year, you will work in both local investigations and a safeguarding role within your BCU – developing the skills required to achieve PIP level 2 and Full Operational Competence by the end of your programme. You’ll return to university for two short blocks of learning during your second year.
You will compile an operational competency portfolio, including written and online assessments, throughout your probation to demonstrate you’ve got the skills and knowledge required to be confirmed in rank as an officer (having confirmed full operational competence), by the end of your probation period.
You must also have successfully completed the National Investigators Exam and achieved PIP2 accreditation to be deployed as a detective constable.