We are seeking applications to join Dyfed-Powys Police as a Police Constable (PC). Successful applicants will be considered for vacancies across the force area – Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.
You should note that you need to live within 30 miles or 1-hour commutable distance from the station you are posted to. You should also note that the recruitment process for PC can take some time and intake sizes fluctuate based on vacancy numbers. This campaign is to fill our September 2026 intake and intakes scheduled for March and September 2027.
As a Police Officer, you have the opportunity to be an integral part of the local community. You'll not only protect life, but you'll build relationships, prevent and detect crime, support victims and witnesses. Above all, you'll be keeping people safe.
Our officers are leaders who make a lasting and positive impact. We celebrate individuality and empower our people to make the right decisions in the moments that matter. We want everyone who considers a career in the Police to be aware of the risks and difficulties that may come with the job.
Becoming a Police Officer is not easy. You work in high stress environments, work unsocial hours and handle unsocial behaviour. Before you apply, it is important to understand what the role entails to ensure it is something you feel adequately prepared for. There is no typical day as a PC and each day brings new challenges but ultimately everything you do will improve the lives of our communities. As a Dyfed Powys PC you can expect to:
- Provide a visible policing presence in the local community
- Keep the peace at events or disputes
- Carry out interviews
- Take statements and gather evidence
- Deal with the complex and sensitive cases
- Support people affected by crimes
- Preserve scenes in all weathers
- Diffuse potentially volatile situations
Some days may be more difficult than others - as you may have to make arrests, deliver difficult news, be the first on the scene of a fatal collision or appear in court to provide evidence. Throughout it all, you will still be expected to remain professional and handle every situation calmly.
As well as this, you will be expected to work flexible hours. Dyfed-Powys Police operates a variable shift agreement for most operational roles. You will work a 24/7 shift pattern which will include both night shifts, weekends and bank holidays. You will receive appropriate unsocial hours payments in line with the pattern of work that you are required to perform.
Due to the varied shift patterns, maintaining a work-life balance is sometimes difficult. Many officers often must forfeit personal celebrations, weekends, and holidays due to being on shift – responding to emergencies can happen any time and the irregular and long hours can affect the planning of personal time. However, it is possible to find ways to adjust. The development of strong time management skills, utilisation of support network and maximising downtime can help develop a positive and sustainable balance.
Salary: Currently starting from £31,164 and rising to £50,256 after 7 years’ service
You will be provided with all the training and development opportunities you need.
There is a two-year learning programme with a 23-week initial phase which is designed to provide you with a blend of practical ‘on-the-job’ experience and classroom-based learning which will equip you with the professional knowledge and skills required to meet the complex policing challenges we face today, whilst contributing to a positive policing culture.
As an Officer, you will also attend Personal Safety Training and of course, there are a wide range of ICT systems to learn about.
Your knowledge and skills will be assessed throughout this period using a variety of techniques including exam, presentations, short essays, and a full work-based occupational competency portfolio.
You must hold a full UK driving licence that permits the operation of both manual and automatic vehicles. Due to the operational demands of the role, applicants are expected to be competent drivers with recent, regular experience driving a manual car.
As part of initial training, student officers will be required to undertake a three-week police response driving course where competence must be achieved driving manual transmission vehicles.
All Dyfed-Powys police officers are required to response drive and as such you must meet the DVLA Group 2 medical standards.
Application guidance
- You will be invited to compete the national sift as part of the process. Please note this needs to be completed within 7 days of your invitation or by the closing time/date of the advert whichever is the soonest. Please be mindful that if you fail the National sift online test, you are ineligible to complete it again within the next 3 months, and you can only complete it twice in a 12-month period. This applies for any other uniformed recruitment (Police Officer, PCSO and Volunteer Police Officer/Special Constable).
- The online tests are not compatible with handheld devices e.g. tablet or mobile phone so must be completed on a desktop/Laptop computer.
- If you have any technical issues whilst completing the tests, then the decision to reset the test will be at the discretion of Dyfed Powys Police.
- If applicable, applicants must upload the required evidence of their level 3 qualifications when applying, as no late evidence will be accepted. If you are not in possession of a valid certificate, you must obtain one prior to the closing date, or alternatively you can complete the online verbal reasoning and calculation test.
- Successful candidates are subject to vetting and medical checks, and all prospective PC’s will be required to have their fingerprints and a DNA sample taken.
Dyfed Powys Police reserves the right to change the dates of tests or intakes as required and restrict candidate numbers attending the interviews due to organisational need.
If you have applied to join the Police with any force in England or Wales within the last 6 months and your application was rejected, you are unable to submit a new application form.
You are eligible to apply to more than one force at a time however you can only undertake the Assessment Centre process with ONE force. By default, this will become your CHOSEN force unless you choose to withdraw and transfer your score to another force.
Welsh language and diversity
We are committed to being a bilingual organisation and any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English
We ask that all Dyfed-Powys police staff and officers can communicate to Level 1 standard. This means that you can understand and pronounce Welsh place names and can use and understand simple everyday phrases such as greetings. If you are unable to communicate to this standard, during your probation period (typically six months) we’ll fully support you in achieving this through a variety of learning opportunities.
Dyfed-Powys Police welcomes applications from under-represented groups and Welsh speakers.
Find out if you’re eligible for Positive Action here - Positive Action | Dyfed-Powys Police
Have some questions?
Dyfed-Powys Police reserves the right to close this advert if we are in receipt of a high number of suitable applications. As such, we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.
