Detective route
Detective Degree Holder Entry Programme (DDHEP)
If detective is your dream job title, this is the ideal route for you. You could become a fully qualified detective in as little as two years.
The direct entry provides an exciting opportunity for people who are naturally curious, want to put some of Bedfordshire’s worst behind bars and make a difference to our county.
Our detectives investigate the crimes that cause the most harm to our communities, like burglary, robbery, sexual offences and organised crime, and safeguard victims against harmful offenders.
The detective route allows us to recruit people with new skills and experience to Bedfordshire Police. The process is quicker for people to become detectives compared to the other routes we offer, but it is an intense process. All candidates need to complete the relevant training and assessments as both a police officer and a detective to ensure they meet the standards required by the force.
Our police officer application process and guidance is very similar to the detective process, please view our information about the application process.
Successful applicants will complete 20 weeks of initial training, and then go on to work as a police officer across the county to gain valuable experience in both the force’s response and community teams.
Do you have a degree? Apply for the Detective Route.
After a year, if you have demonstrated that you meet the requirements expected, you will be placed into an investigative team and complete a year’s intensive Trainee Investigator training and obtain a qualification to enable you to become a detective.
You do not need any prior experience to apply. Those skills are learned through the initial training programme and the remainder of your student officer and trainee investigator journey.
This is an intense two-year programme which is doable with dedication and hard work. We will support you along your journey by providing you tutorship, revision sessions and sending you to a wide variety of jobs to help complete your portfolios.
DDHEP entry requirement
Candidates must hold an honours degree in any subject other than the degree in professional policing that is from a recognised higher education institution.
Benefits
You’ll enjoy the advantages of a contributory pension scheme, which offers generous benefits based on final salary. You’ll start with 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days, dependent on your length of service. You also have access to equity loans for housing under our Key Worker scheme and the opportunity to attend various free advice sessions through Police Mutal.
You can also join our sports and social club which will give you access to our onsite gyms, discounts at local attractions and businesses and where you can enter our force lottery. Staff can also sign up to the Blue Light Card where they can receive discount at many businesses.
There is free on-site parking at HQ and Luton, on-site canteens as well as many well-being resources and support groups available for all staff members.
An additional benefit to police officers is the huge range of career and training opportunities that will be available to you. After your probation period you will be able to apply to join the various teams that make Bedfordshire Police. You could move into community policing, work in cyber-crime, join the firearms or dog unit, join the detective pathway and more. The opportunities are endless. We will support you throughout your career with us and provide training when needed to help you achieve your goals. If you fall ill or have a long-term injury, we can look for you to work in a different department, more suitable to your needs.