Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

Police officer smiling

Become a police officer


Make your difference

ARU are proud to be working with eight police forces across the East and South East of England and London to recruit and educate new police officers through two new entry routes into policing.

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and the Degree Holder Entry Programme are part of the new Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), which aims to further professionalise policing as a career by raising educational standards.

We’re delighted to partner with Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk police forces, and the Metropolitan Police to offer two more ways to Make Your Difference.

Book your place on one of our virtual Police Officer Degree Apprenticeship discovery events

As a new recruit you will become paid officers from day one, working alongside experienced officers while practically applying your learning. You’ll combine on the job learning with working towards a fully funded degree, all while earning a competitive salary and making a difference to local communities.

One of the aims of the two new routes into policing is to help create a police workforce more representative of the communities it serves. That’s why it’s really important that people from all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, faiths, abilities, gender and sexual orientation join us.

It’s a core part of ARU’s mission to support everyone regardless of background to achieve their potential. We have a proud history of delivering innovative work-based degrees and train many of the region’s future key workers including nurses, midwives, doctors, paramedics, social workers and teachers. We’re delighted to be offering these new policing opportunities with our partner forces across the East and South East of England and London.

New routes to joining the Police

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

Launch or change career with this 3 year, on the job degree apprenticeship.

Explore East of England Forces PCDA Explore the Metropolitan Police PCDA

Degree Holder Entry Programme

Convert your existing undergraduate degree with our 2 year DHEP programme.

Explore East of England Forces DHEP Explore the Metropolitan Police DHEP Explore Detective DHEP (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Police)

Apply now to become a police officer with one of our partner forces

Follow the force names below to find out more about working with each of the forces and to apply.

Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire
Essex
Hertfordshire
Kent
Metropolitan Police Service
Norfolk
Suffolk
A police officer in high viz against a black background

Educate the police officers of the future

If you’d like the opportunity to help shape the police officers of the future and be involved with an industry-leading programme, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re recruiting for roles including Police Education Instructors, Content Developers, Support Staff, and Assessors.

View and apply for police education roles