OUR ROLES
Policing is a vast and varied career choice, with endless opportunities to progress. After your probation, you can move into a specialist police officer role or climb the ranks into senior policing.
Neighbourhood Officer
Neighbourhood officers are problem solvers, change-makers, and protectors at the heart of a community. Their role is all about finding solutions, building trust, and creating safer streets for everyone.
Mounted Officer
As well as supporting community engagement and patrolling the streets, you’ll work with our police horses to keep people safe at public events such as big football matches and demonstrations.
Marine Officer
Marine officers help police our waterways by checking ports and marinas, assisting with underwater evidence searches, and recovering bodies.
Dog Handler
You’ll conduct searches with your dog, including locating missing persons, assisting in arresting offenders and supporting officers in their investigations.
Motor Patrols
Our traffic officers provide a visible presence on the roads to deter crime and reassure the community. You’ll attend and manage the scene of road-related incidents, which may be serious, fatal, or life-altering.
999 Response Officer
One of the most fast-paced roles in policing, as a 999 response officer you’re the front line of the organisation. You’ll respond to emergency and time critical situations to protect victims, detect and apprehend offenders.
Firearms Officer
Specially trained firearms officers respond to high-risk incidents, take part in proactive policing operations and provide public reassurance at events.
Undercover Operative
As an undercover operative, you’ll build relationships with offenders to gather information and intelligence during investigations.
Detective
Detectives uncover the story behind every crime, seeking out the smallest clues to solve the biggest cases. As an investigator you’ll gather intelligence, forensic evidence, and witness testimony to build the full picture of a crime.
Ways into policing
From high-adrenaline and fast-paced work, to analytical and problem-solving positions, there’s a role that’s right for you.
Discover your path with a degree apprenticeship, graduate programme, or experience-led entry routes. Your journey into policing starts here.
Take your first steps into policing
Before you apply to become a 999 response officer, detective or neighbourhood officer you’ll need to join a mandatory information event.
Here, you’ll gain insight into what working at Northumbria Police is really like, find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the role, eligibility requirements, police officer pay & benefits, and you’ll have the opportunity to speak to current officers.
We’ll also guide you through the different entry routes available, including the degree apprenticeship, graduate programme, and experience-led pathways — so you can choose the route that’s right for you.
Choose your preferred date below to sign up for an upcoming online Teams event.
Can’t make these sessions? We’ll be running events all year, check back for later dates.