Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

[fairyhouse]

Anyone's DC doing this? Would love to hear about their experiences as my DS is currently considering it. In fact it's the only thing he's actually expressed any interest in! He's just done his first year of A levels so we are trying to help him work out what to do next.

Bumping for you....I'm interested in others' experiences too

Thanks @Underbox
I think it might be relatively new so maybe not too much experience as yet. Our local Constabulary said it is offering it for the first time this year.

Yes we are interested here, my daughter has just finished the first year of her Btec in Uniformed Public Services.

Hopefully I can help a bit although it is my DH who is currently doing the PDCA so rather at the other end of the age range! He’s joined after a career in business and is really enjoying it although it is challenging.

It’s a mix of uni study in 4-5 weeks blocks and on the job training. This year the uni has all been online but they are hoping to do a mix of face to face and online going forward. The uni is an hour’s drive away. DH already has a degree so is coping fine with this side of things but the pace is fast and there is a lot of information to absorb. There are about 4/5 of these uni sessions a year.

The on the job training so far has seen him as part of the response team (so responding to 999 calls). The majority of calls are for road traffic collisions, domestic violence and lots of mental health related issues. He’s finding that his life experience really helps - you have to be able to deal with a vast range of people. There is a LOT of paper work/admin to do. It’s also not uncommon to have to work past the end of your shift. On a few occasions DH has been on the night shift and due to finish at 7am but has not got home until lunchtime.

Although the degree apprenticeship lasts three years, after 7 months DH is considered sufficiently trained so go out on solo patrol although in reality he is often paired with a colleague.

It may be possible for your DC to ask to go out with a patrol on shift. This is known as a ride along. It certainly is with DH’s force but I’m not sure whether there is any age restriction.

So overall it is tough and challenging but DH is loving it. He has had a lot of support from the force generally and from the officers on his team.

Thanks for this. What is a PDCA?

I know my local Constabulary and Local Authority have a minimum age of 18 for ride-alongs, @PlumeMoth, in case they have to enter or engage with licenced premises or a betting shop or similar.

Very interesting post, thank you btw.

Thanks so much @PlumeMoth that's really helpful.

@timmymagical sorry PDCA was a typo - should have read PCDA!