Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)

This vacancy has now closed to new applicants.

Student Officer
Permanent
Full Time
Forcewide
Forcewide
Police Officer
Recruitment Vetting
Various
40

31/08/2025, 23:55

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are pleased to be opening up a new opportunity to become a Police Officer for anyone who wants to train without studying for a qualification via the new Traditional Entry Route (PCEP)

These are exciting times for Greater Manchester Police. We are looking for outstanding candidates to join frontline policing within Greater Manchester Police, with drive and passion to provide the best possible police service to all our diverse communities.

Greater Manchester Police is one of the largest police forces in the UK and is responsible for keeping its diverse population of almost three million people safe.

Greater Manchester is a vibrant region in the Northwest, spread over more than 1,200 sq km. Split over 10 metropolitan districts, it is billed as the most diverse city in Europe, whose residents draw on and contribute to its rich cultural legacy and collectively speak up to 200 different languages.

Recently awarded the ‘most improved force in the country’ after its latest police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) inspection in 2023, Greater Manchester Police remains committed to doing the basics of policing brilliantly, protecting the public, supporting victims and ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves.


Salary: Your starting salary will be £29,907 with annual increments rising to £48,231 per annum after 7 years’ service.

The Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) is run by our very own training team at Sedgley Park over a 2 year period.

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

• English and Maths GSCE Grade C/Level 4 or a Level 2 equivalent.
• Any Level 3 qualification or A Level qualification

If you do not hold a level 3 qualification or A level qualification you may also apply. Candidates will be required to have at least 12 months relevant work experience in areas such as those listed below; (please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and all relevant skills and experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis) This will be assessed in a written exercise to review your transferable skills into this role. If this applies to you, we will contact you at the initial stage of the application process with further information.

• Retail
• Hospitality
• Military
• Call centres
• Social Care
• Other Emergency Services


All applicants must also meet the following criteria

• be at least 17 years of age upon application but must be 18 years of age by your first day in the role

• To be eligible to apply for a police officer position, you must be a UK or Irish citizen, or an EU citizen with EU settled or pre-settled status, or a commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your right to live and work in the UK.

• residency – have been a UK resident for the last 3 years. All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Greater Manchester Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• be in good health and able to perform your duties physically and mentally

• not have any piercings or tattoos which cause offence (please refer to the supporting Information attached to this advert)

Driving Licence

A Driving Licence is not required upon application, but you will be required to hold a full a driving licence within 12 months of joining GMP as a student officer.

Application Process:

• Self-assessment – we encourage all applicants to self-assess your eligibility prior to applying.
• Application including proof of eligibility – see ‘Be prepared to apply’ page on our website.
• National Sift Process
• Online Assessment Process – taking approx. 4 hours
• Final Interview
• Provisional offer
• Pre-employment checks including fitness test, medical, references and vetting
• Start Date

Please see the attached Supporting Information and Frequently asked questions for further information regarding the recruitment process.

Diversity and Inclusion:

At GMP, we are committed to better reflect the communities that we serve. We encourage applications from our underrepresented communities including all ethnic or religious backgrounds, LGBTQ+, women and those with disabilities.

We are also proud to have a Recruitment Support Team who can provide support and guidance to anyone from a Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic background throughout the Police Officer recruitment process as well as advise on career development and progression.

As well as offering the chance of a rewarding career, there are other benefits to working for GMP.

Pay
Annual leave
Shift work and work-life balance
Pension scheme
GMP’s Sports and Social Club
Eligibility for Blue Light Card
Access to a Credit Union
Wellbeing support
Car lease scheme

Please note, all of our communication will be sent to you via the e-mail address you provide on your application form, therefore please ensure noreply@gmp-recruitment.co.uk is in your mail safe senders / safe recipients list to prevent our e-mails going into your junk mail. Therefore routinely check your junk mail for correspondence from GMP.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in all areas of employment, including recruitment. The Police Service welcomes people with disabilities and will do its best to make adjustments to the working arrangements and/ or the working environment provided it is reasonable to do so. If you have a disability and you require support, please let us know so we can consider and support you with any reasonable adjustments you may require.

As an equal opportunities employer, GMP is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join GMP.

Due to the Equality Act (2010) the criteria surrounding sickness absence will not be checked until the later stages of the recruitment process. With this in mind all candidates need to ensure that they can display a good attendance record for the last 2 years.

Policing values are enshrined in the Code of Ethics (a copy of which can be found at https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Ethics/Ethics-home/Documents/Code_of_Ethics.pdf

Every person serving with the police service needs to adhere to these standards of professional behaviour. As an applicant to Greater Manchester Police, we expect that you will hold views and attitudes in line with the Code; that if you are successful in your application you will uphold the Code of Ethics by displaying the behaviours that the Code sets out; and that you will report any conduct of others that falls short of those standards. Any failure or apparent failure to uphold the Code of Ethics will be taken seriously. It will be looked into and in cases involving serious and/or repeated failings, criminal and/or misconduct proceedings may follow. With that in mind, you are reminded that you must not share any information relating to the recruitment and assessment process. Sharing of such information could result in criminal and/or misconduct proceedings.

We will be accepting online applications until midnight of the closing date.

May we take this opportunity to wish you the best of luck with your Student officer application form and we look forward to guiding you through the Recruitment process.

Important eligibility criteria information

  • Please note, you must be at least 17 years old to apply

  • You will not be appointed until you are at least 18 years old

  • You must have at least 3 years residency in the UK to apply

Important information before you commence an application

You may require the following detail to complete this application form:

  • National Insurance Number
  • Identification Detail e.g. passport
  • Address information
  • Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained
  • Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe any tattoos you have

You may require the following documents to complete this application form or these may be requested during the selection process:

  • A Passport style photograph
  • A copy of your photo card driving licence
  • A copy of your paper driving licence counterpart (Northern Ireland only)
  • A copy of your Passport or birth certificate
  • Copies of your qualifications relating to English and Maths (only)
  • Clear, colour photos of all tattoos
  • Formal translation from a reputable source for any foreign language or symbol tattoos
  • Any paperwork relating to discharged debts, CCJ, bankruptcy etc
  • Deed poll certificate for any name changes 

Important information before you commence an application for ALL applicants

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.

Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save. 

Supporting Documents

This vacancy is closed to applications.