Become a Police Officer and earn while you learn  

With a starting salary of over £36.5k, become a police constable and start a career that matters 

Join the Metropolitan Police as a Police Constable (PC) on our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) pathway and start a career unlike any other, in one of the most diverse cities in the world and help keep Londoners safe.  

We offer a varied and rewarding career with excellent pay, benefits, development and opportunities for progression.  

As well as our PCDA pathway there are a number of options to join; all of which are fully funded.  You can choose the option that best fits your qualifications, experiences and how you prefer to learn.  Whichever entry route you choose you will be set up with the skills and experience you need to succeed as a police officer.    

Make a difference 

As a PC, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of Londoners every day. The role of an officer is much more than blue lights and fast cars. You’ll build relationships with local communities, reduce crime, support victims and keep people safe. No day is ever the same but every day you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that what you do has made a real difference to the lives of Londoners. 

Right from the start, you’ll be playing a vital role in helping to protect Londoners. 

Once you have passed your probation you can choose the direction you want your career to take with endless opportunities for progression, whether you want to move up the ranks or join a specialist team there will be a role suited to you. 

The future of the Met

The Metropolitan Police Service, known as the Met, is the UK’s largest police service.  Founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 it is also one of the oldest.   He set the principle of policing by consent – policing is at its best when it recognises that trust and support of communities is fundamental to reducing crime.   

The Met recognises that public trust has been falling and is determined to work hard to rebuild the trust and install confidence across London’s communities.  

That’s why we’re building A New Met for London where communities know their local officers, help to shape their policing priorities, and work with them to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour; and when victims call us for help, they’re satisfied with our response. 

We are looking for people that share our values of respect; integrity; empathy; courage and who want to strive to build trust. London’s communities are ever-changing and we want to be more representative of those we serve.  

PCDA route

Our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) means you can earn as you learn, gaining a (BSc) Hons degree in Professional Policing Practice. The Met covers all qualification fees so there’s no cost to you, it’s all fully funded. 

It’s a three-year programme, which combines learning with policing London’s streets. The three years count as your probation. On successful completion, you graduate from both the degree and probation. 

The starting salary is £36,775, rising to over £37,975 in week 30 if you meet the required standard. On successful completion you’ll earn £40,387. All salaries including allowances.  

To join the PCDA Route you’ll need to have the following: 

• Level 2 qualification in English language and Maths at a GCSE grade C or above, or grades 4 to 9. Whilst you don’t need GCSE Maths to apply, if you don’t have this you’ll need to take it during your PCDA. 
• We’ll also consider an English language equivalent overseas qualification. 

You must also hold, or be working towards: 

• 64 UCAS points (visit UCAS tariff calculator) 
• an academic or vocational qualification gained outside England and Wales, which is considered by the UK National Recognition Information Centre to be equivalent to 64 UCAS points 

If you’re not sure that you fit the above criteria but you still want to join and make a difference, we also offer a number of other entry route options: 

• Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) and Detective DHEP

  DHEP is very much about on-the-job training, with the added benefit of gaining a graduate diploma in professional policing. You learn whilst you earn. 

• Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) 

  Our non-degree entry route – this programme blends classroom and on the job learning. The two-years counts as your probation. Whilst you do not gain an academic qualification, the training follows a similar structure to that of the police constable degree apprenticeship.

• Met Officer Gateway Programme (MOGP) 

  The MOGP is a 30-week academic course, in which you study and earn a salary at the same time. It’s designed as your gateway onto our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) if you don’t have the qualifications. 

Find out more on these routes, if you’re eligible and how to apply by searching “Join the Met”.

Who we are looking for

London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. That’s why in the Met we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who are committed to making a difference for the communities we serve. You can come and join the thousands of dedicated, honest, committed, hard-working officers and staff in our team.  

Change is happening within the Met. Whilst that takes time, we want people like you to join and help to make a big difference.

Policing is a 24-hour job and that means once you join you’ll need to work shifts, including through the night and at weekends. 

You’ll also need to meet our standard eligibility criteria: 

• Age: You can apply at 17 but will need to be 18 to join us. 
• Criminal convictions: Ideally, you shouldn’t have a criminal conviction or cautions record. If you do have one, it will depend on the age and nature of the offence. We assess this as part of vetting. If you are in any doubt about whether to tell us something, disclose the information. If you don’t tell us about something your application may be refused simply as you weren’t up front. 
• Fitness: You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete but you do need to be fit and healthy to cope with the demands of the job. 
• Nationality and residency: If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you’ll need to have lived in the UK for the last 3 years unless you’ve been serving with the Armed Forces. 
• Tattoos: If you’ve got a tattoo, you’ll need to tell us about it when you apply. Sometimes we’ll tell you to cover some tattoos for policing events, such as state funerals or ceremonial duties. 

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