Police Constable
Also advertised as: Detective Constable, Neighbourhood Officer, PCSO, Police Constable, Response Officer, Special Constable
Prevents and investigates crime, keeps the peace and supports the public.
What the job involves
Police constables respond to incidents, gather evidence, arrest and interview suspects, and support victims. Entry is now through the degree apprenticeship, degree-holder programme or professional policing degree. Vetting and fitness tests apply.
Typical responsibilities
- Respond to emergency and routine incidents
- Investigate offences and gather evidence
- Arrest, interview and prepare case files
- Support victims and vulnerable people
- Give evidence in court
Common employers
- Territorial police forces
- British Transport Police
- Ministry of Defence Police
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£29,000 – £32,000 a year
With experience
£40,000 – £48,000 a year
Typical hours
Shift based including nights, weekends and bank holidays
Working environment
On patrol, at incidents and in station
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Investigation
- De-escalation
- Report writing
- Decision making
- Public engagement
Transferable skills you may already have
- Handling conflict
- Working nights
- Detailed record keeping
Requirements employers ask for
- Investigation
- De-escalation
- Report writing
- Decision making
- Public engagement
- Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, Degree Holder Entry Programme or Professional Policing Degree
- Vetting and fitness test
- Police vetting
- Full UK driving licence usually required
Useful but not essential
- Handling conflict
- Working nights
- Detailed record keeping
- Detective pathway qualifications
- Public order or firearms training
Helpful qualifications
- Detective pathway qualifications
- Public order or firearms training
Licences and checks
- Police vetting
- Full UK driving licence usually required
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Police Constable (Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Criminology
- Related subject: Policing
- Related subject: Law
- Related subject: Any
Where this career can lead
next
Detective Constable
next
Sergeant
next
Specialist Unit Officer
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Paid degree-level training
- Pension and job security
- Many specialisms available
What people find hard
- Exposure to trauma and hostility
- Shift patterns affect home life
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a police constable?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. required
- How much does a police constable earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £29,000 to £32,000 a year, rising towards £48,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Handling conflict, Working nights, Detailed record keeping.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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