Derbyshire Police
Interview Questions and Answers

Q1: Derbyshire Police: What is the difference between a PC and a PCSO?

 The main difference between a PCSO and a police officer is that a PCSO does not have a power to arrest suspects. They also cannot interview suspects and investigate crime. What they do provide is a physical presence on the street as well as assist members of the community and inform their police officer colleagues of any issues, which require further action. A PCSO would also collaborate with other organisations and stakeholders in joint efforts to reduce issues and focus low-level crime and preventative measures.

Q2: What is the police degree holder entry programme pay?

New recruits entering the police service via the DHEP scheme, will start on a competitive salary of £24,177 per annum. As you career and training progresses, you will receive pay increments as per the pay scale of Derbyshire Constabulary. It is also worth remembering that the police service offers an excellent pension scheme as part of the package.

Q4: How will becoming a police officer impact on your personal life?

When you become a police officer, you will have the opportunity to make a positive difference to your community. Helping to reduce and prevent crime, making lives of the people you serve happier and the streets of our communities a safer place are all incredibly rewarding actions. The skills you will learn as a police officer will benefit you personally and professionally. You will gain skills such as communication, team working, confidence, and pride knowing you have made a positive impact on your community. Of course, becoming a police constable means you will face shift work, which you need to ensure you and your family are on board with. You may also be required to work weekends and bank holidays. Finally, working as a police officer can often mean facing stressful situations which you may find it hard to forget or “switch off” when at home. The police service will provide support for you here, but it is something worth considering before applying.

Q5: What is the selection process for the police?

The selection process to become a police officer is both stringent and comprehensive. This follows a number of different stages which you will have to pass:

Eligibility Criteria: Although not an actual stage of the selection process, this will be checked. So, before applying it is most definitely of benefit to check you are eligible to apply. If you fail the eligibility criteria this will reject your application so to avoid disappointment and unnecessary work, check first!

Stage 1 – Competency-Based online application: The first stage will be to complete your online application. When completing this document ensure you have studied and understand the competency and values framework as your responses to these questions will form the catalyst of your application.

Stage 2 – Situational Judgement Test (SJT): During this assessment, you will be presented with a number of scenarios. Your task is to choose the most appropriate response from the answer choices given.

Stage 3 – Competency-Based Interview: Now, this interview will be unlike any that you have faced previously. You will be asked several pre-recorded competency-based questions. Your answers will then be recorded on the Launchpad portal and assessed by members of the recruitment team at a later date. Please note that prior to undertaking this interview ensure you have an excellent understanding of the Competencies and Values Framework, as you will be assessed against these.

Stage 4a – Written Exercise: During this exercise, you will be presented with a scenario and a number of supporting documents to assist you. It is your task to come up with recommendations or solutions to solve the issue within the community.

Stage 4b – Briefing: A similar exercise to the written one, but during this exercise after the first set of questions, you be then presented with further information in regards to the situation, which could affect your previous answer, suggestions you will then be asked further questions.

Stage 5 – Final Interview/In-force Interview: This stage is not used by all police services, but a number of them do ask candidates to attend a final interview. This gives the recruitment team and senior officers to meet you in person or via zoom or teams to find out more about you and discuss your motivations for becoming a police officer. You may be asked further competency-based questions, so please prepare for both motivational and competency questions.