Graduate Detective Programme (GDP)
Why choose the Graduate Detective Programme?
Our Graduate Detective Programme is a hands-on course, designed to help you start your career in policing as a detective.
This entry route is open to degree holders and final year students of any subject.
You’ll deal with serious and complex investigations, changing crime trends, collecting evidence and bringing offenders to justice.
If you thrive on problem solving, you’re adaptable and have the communication skills to support victims, this may well be the role for you.
Why choose the Graduate Detective Programme?
Our Graduate Detective Programme is a hands-on course, designed to help you start your career in policing as a detective.
This entry route is open to degree holders and final year students of any subject.
You’ll deal with serious and complex investigations, changing crime trends, collecting evidence and bringing offenders to justice.
If you thrive on problem solving, you’re adaptable and have the communication skills to support victims, this may well be the role for you.
What’s involved in the Graduate Detective Programme?
In the 2 year programme, you’ll be trained in investigation techniques including interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects. Your day to day work could see you undertaking search warrants, making arrests or pushing a case through the courts. At the end of the scheme you’ll become a qualified detective without having to complete the standard two years of response officer training.
The training programme will begin with an initial 17-week period of class-room based learning at our Coach Lane campus focusing on areas including law & legislation, understanding police powers, and elements of effective communication. Following this, you’ll work alongside experienced officers as part of a shift in a response team. You’ll have a dedicated tutor to guide you through your first 12-15 weeks, who will help you build your skills and offer practical and pastoral support. You’ll also complete a training module with one of our CID teams and experience life as a detective at TeamNP.
What skills do I need?
As a detective your mantra should be: ‘assume nothing, and challenge everything’ – your decisions should be based on evidence, so you’ll need first-rate attention to detail to maintain an accurate record of the lines of enquiry.
It’s essential that you can work on your own, take responsibility for an investigation as well as working as part of a bigger team. To thrive in an investigative role you’ll need flexibility, tenacity and the mindset to question ‘why’ something has happened.
In return, you will be supported with the material to pass the exam, and work in an inclusive and supportive team with access to specialists and advisors.
Am I eligible to join the programme?
You don’t need any previous policing knowledge or experience, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never previously considered a career in policing. But, you must have a degree in any discipline before you start the programme.
Take a look at our general eligibility requirements for officers.
If you’re not eligible for this entry route, you may still be able to apply to become a Police Constable. Find an alternative entry route.
What about my wellbeing?
The role of a detective is a challenging one, and you can be dealing with upsetting crimes such as violent murders, victims of rape and sexual assaults. You will of course be given the support you need and there is always someone to seek advice from and to collaborate with.
We continue to invest in trained mental health first aiders onsite, an employee advice service offering 24/7 access to trained counsellors and a peer-led support programme.
Frequently asked questions
About the Graduate Detective Programme
What’s the role of a detective really like?
Hear from Detective Sergeant Gaye Martin:
Hear from Detective Constable Julie Milne:
What you need to know before you apply
Ready to apply? Sign up to a Information Event today
Before you apply to become a detective through our graduate programme, or a police officer through our degree holder programme, degree apprenticeship or police constable entry programme you’ll need to join a mandatory virtual information event.
Here, you’ll gain insight into what working as a detective or uniformed police officer 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 about life at #teamnp.
Once you have signed up and registered your interest, we will be in touch with an email inviting you to book on to a information event of your preferred date and time.