Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)

The Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) is a two-year non-accredited training programme for our new recruits. This programme has been developed and quality-assured by the College of Policing and independent assessors to national standards and is delivered locally in Lincolnshire.

As a student officer you will complete an initial 21-week training programme followed by a three-week classroom element in Year 2. PCEP is designed to provide appropriate training to develop your skills and knowledge to become a competent police officer, including legislation, police powers and procedures.

You will next undertake a 10-week tutored period in an operational policing capacity, working closely with a tutor constable in a team of police officers providing 24/7 uniform response policing. 

On successful completion of the tutored phase and being signed off as ‘safe and lawful’, you will continue your two-year probationary period as an independent student police officer within the context of 24/7 response policing before being confirmed in the rank of police constable.

The training is delivered as follows.

Initial Police Training (IPT): Year 1, approximately 21 weeks

This is 21 weeks of formal learning where you will learn theoretical knowledge and be given the opportunity to apply your learning in practical scenarios’, some of which will be in community settings. Your training will develop core-policing skills and will ensure you have the broad range of skills and abilities required to be a police officer and prepare you for independent patrol status. During this time, you will also be formally ‘attested’ as a police constable.

Throughout PCEP there will be a range of formative and summative assessments used. Our formative assessment methods include knowledge checks, tabletop exercises, group presentations and practical assessments. These assessments will track your progress in relation to knowledge and understanding as well as demonstrating the necessary skills and behaviours of a police constable.

Our summative assessments will be completed at various stages throughout the Initial Police Training programme and give a pass or fail grading against a set standard to meet the required competences and support development in relation to the subject areas you are being assessed on. 

There will be a final summative assessment at the end of the training period which will signify whether you have successfully passed the PCEP.

Initial Police Training (IPT): Year 2, approximately 3 weeks

This is a three-week classroom phase where you will continue learning about the police service and policing issues building on your time as an operational officer. You will gain a further understanding of response policing and legislation as well as building on investigation skills through both theoretical and practical application. As a student officer you will also be introduced to our leadership processes before completing your final summative assessment. 

Occupational Competency Portfolio (OCP)

Independent Patrol Status Phase (IPS): 10 weeks

Following the successful completion of the initial police training phase you will commence working shifts at your designated station across the county and will be supported by your designated tutor constable who will oversee your development as an independent officer. The independent patrol status phase is 10 weeks long and in this time, you will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence alongside being considered safe and lawful by your tutor and supervisors to be independently deployed.

Full Operational Competency (FOC): completion of the two years

Once signed off as being safe and lawful, you will work to complete your full operational competency (FOC) portfolio. This portfolio of evidence will determine whether you can be confirmed in rank at the end of the two-year PCEP course.