Join us as a
detective

What does a detective do?

Detective constables – or investigators – uncover the story behind every crime, seeking out the smallest clues to solve the biggest cases. Their role is to:

Connect the dots
Detectives gather intelligence, forensic evidence, and witness testimony to build the full picture of a crime.
Drive investigations forward
It’s a detectives’ responsibility to plan the investigation, from interviewing suspects to analysing material.
Build trust with victims
Detectives support and safeguard victims through difficult times, making sure they feel heard, protected, and empowered.

What skills make a good detective?

A methodical approach
You’ll have the skills to analyse and evaluate investigative material to help identify offenders.
You take ownership
You’ll need the resilience to be able to work alone, taking responsibility for an investigation as well as working as part of a bigger team.
Professional curiosity
To thrive in an investigative role you’ll need flexibility, tenacity and the mindset to question why something has happened.

What is life like as a detective?

You’ll be earning from day 1 of your training as an investigator, with a salary of £29,907 plus a generous shift allowance.

Detectives work a range of shift patterns over daytimes and evenings, but not full night shifts. On the current pattern, our CID teams work for 4 days then are off for the following 4 days, with a mix of weekend and weekday working.

Detectives begin their career working in a local criminal investigation department, who lead investigations into robberies, drug supply, assaults and other serious category crimes.

What are my long term career options?

Your options as a detective are vast. You could move into one of our specialist departments working on homicide, sexual offences, safeguarding or cyber investigations. Becoming a detective opens doors for moving into covert or intelligence roles, or becoming a specialist interviewer or family liaison officer.

You can also become more qualified as a detective, enabling you to investigate more serious and complex types of crime as you progress through the framework. As with uniformed officers, you’ll have the choice to move through the ranks, from a first line leader to a member of the senior leadership team.

Explore our roles and ranks

Next steps

Sign up to our 2 year graduate detective programme

You’ll need to already have a degree in any subject to qualify.

Learn more

Don't have a degree and prefer not to study towards one?

Choose our non-degree entry route to become a detective.

Learn more

Ready to get started?

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.

Choose your preferred date below to sign up to an upcoming Teams, online event.
Can’t make these sessions? We’ll be running events all year, check back for later dates.

Join us as a detective