2022/23 Detective Constable Police Now Scheme

The police rank structure goes:

Constable -> Sergeant -> Inspector -> Chief Inspector -> Superintendent - then a lot of very high ranks.

This, however isn't really a reflection of "progression" as such - only of attaining higher ranks.

In the police, constables "do" things. They take statements, arrest people, investigate crimes and so on. Sergeants sometimes do those things, but are mostly supervisors and line managers. They supervise the work of constables (detectives), supervise their crime reports and casefiles, dish out work and also do some limited HR type functions.

Inspectors and Chief Inspectors are almost exclsively middle managers who supervise teams and do things like resource management and dealing with slightly bigger picture issues. For detectives they might head up a team or squad and lead a more important investigation -but in a supervisory function rather than hands on. You do not ordinarily get inspectors carrying out interviews or arresting people.

For a lot of cops, progression means becoming more skilled and experienced and moving on to do the kind of work they want to do. For detectives this might mean getting special interview courses or learning to drive fast cars. A lot of people have ambitions in terms of the type of unit they want to go to. In the short term to medium term, you hear a lot of DCs wanting to go to places like Sapphire or Robbery. In the longer term, a lot of DCs have always wanted to do MIT (murders) and the Flying Squad was traditionally seen as where the best detectives went. This is largely completely separate from promotion, and in many cases incompatible with it. A lot of people want to do the cool police work, not be managers to the people who do it.

There is one exception to this, which doesn't actually count for DCs - and that is public order, where you do get inspectors directly on the ground, still supervising, but often performing a more direct role. Sergeants perform key public order roles, leading serials on the ground.

Money wise, you reach top of scale for a constable in your 7th year. A sergeant earns slightly more than a top-rate constable, and inspectors etc proportionately more. One thing to be aware of is that after sergeant, you don't get OT pay - so you will find that people can earn a lot of extra money as constables and sergeants, but what you get as an inspector is all you'll ever get once you've progressed to the top of that scale.

Thank you so much for your detailed answer ! I couldnt expect any better !

Do you know how long it takes ( on average I guess) to get to the point of specialising yourself ( weather choosing robbery or murders etc..)

Had my assessment centre today, feel like it didn't go awful, but could have also gone a lot better. now just need to wait up to 10 days to get the results.

Hi, how was your feedback from the assessment centre and what language did they use, I had mine this week and have my feedback but it doesn’t sound great

Hey guys, I completed the assessment centre 2 weeks ago and found out this week that I passed! They are going to email regarding a fitness and medical test/vetting stuff. Is there any interviews/further stages after this part of the application?T
Thanks

Hi Hollie,

I’ve recently just been offered the job so i’m familiar with the progression.

So, on your medical you will do the bleep test, dna, fingerprints, documents etc etc.. then afterwards complete a vetting form in your own time. Unless you are in the PC DHEP route, there will be no further interviews or assessments! Be aware vetting does take a while (few weeks minimum).

This reply is based on a Met application.

Good Luck!

hi there, does anyone know the dress code for girls. can we wear dresses and tights, skirts etc? what is the dress code in general for the dc pathway? for uni etc

Hi Guys,

I am currently in the vetting stage of my DHEP. As of last month, my vetting got rejected on the 4th. I have placed an appeal for my vetting, I was wondering whether anybody knows the time wait and the chances of an appeal being overturned? Any reply would be so helpful it has been very stressful.

Do you know why it got rejected?

No it was due to a third party. They couldn't mention it. I have appealed and hoping to get a response. There wasn't much said so I think I have a chance to appeal.

May take over a month or so to appeal - I’ve never appealed but I imagine they consider your case, and then re-conduct vetting. I wish you the best of luck.

Hi everyone - I'm not sure if anyone will see this but I'm just wondering what degrees you have done? I know it is any degree but I'm just wondering if it is best to do one related to crime etc.??

Hi everyone - I'm not sure if anyone will see this but I'm just wondering what degrees you have done? I know it is any degree but I'm just wondering if it is best to do one related to crime etc.??