Sussex Police Ends Degree Requirement For New Police Officers

Student police officers in Sussex will no longer have to study for a degree, the force has announced.

The Chief Constables of Sussex and Surrey have jointly agreed to introduce a new non-degree route for new police officers ahead of a national scheme being launched.

It is hoped the move will open up a career in policing for more and diverse candidates since mandatory degrees were introduced nationally four years ago. The scheme is open immediately for applicants.

Sussex Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who has recently completed 30 years’ policing service, said it is vital policing reflects the communities it serves.

“Whether officers have a degree or not, it is their drive and commitment to public service that make them an asset to the police service and to their local communities,” she said.

“It is right that we make policing as a career as fair and open as possible to those with the right skills and motivations and I’m delighted to be introducing this new scheme together with the Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

“Alongside existing routes, including degree entry and direct detective entry, it provides a range of options for people to join and having a fulfilling and diverse career in policing. It is a matter of personal choice and I have no doubt it will improve the diversity of backgrounds, skills and life experience of our workforce.”

The new scheme for candidates will be called the Initial Probationer Learning Development Programme (IPLDP+) and is designed for applicants with or without a degree. The programme will provide recruits with a blend of practical ‘on-the-job’ experience and classroom-based learning to equip them with the skills and experience they need to meet the demands of modern policing.

While the route does not lead to a formal qualification, it will still remain a requirement to achieve operational competence by the end of this period.

Since 2019 those wishing to become a police officer in England and Wales were required by the College of Policing to hold a degree level qualification or complete a degree alongside their first three years on the job. Rules were changed this year to allow non-degree routes to be re-introduced. Student officers currently studying for a degree have the option to transfer to the non-degree route.

Police in Sussex and Surrey will introduce this as an interim route for new recruits until a national scheme is established.

Speaking about the new programme, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:

“I am delighted that Sussex Police have taken a common-sense approach and introduced this new route into policing. Finding a wide selection of high-quality recruits should always be the aim and the additional programme in Sussex Police’s recruitment process will help to do just that.

“It gives the force the opportunity to draw potential candidates from a wider pool of people with different backgrounds, relevant experience, training and leadership skills.

“Without this programme, it’s clear we could be missing out on future police officers who will ably serve our county and protect the public.

“We want to ensure that our police officers genuinely reflect the communities they serve. This new route opens a door to those who may have chosen a career path that didn’t require a degree or those who don’t wish to obtain one and it prevents discrimination of those who may not have had certain educational opportunities.

“I look forward to seeing an increasing number of people now able to consider a career in policing as Sussex Police becomes more flexible in their recruitment processes, whilst maintaining extremely high standards and thorough vetting procedures for all positions within the force.”

Sussex Police is open to recruitment for police officers and a range of other roles. Further information can be found here