Police Officers
West Yorkshire Police is currently under-represented by people from Ethnic Minority backgrounds. 8% of our officers are from an Ethnic Minority background, but 23% of people in West Yorkshire are from these communities.
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, we may offer those from under-represented groups the opportunity to apply to become a Police Officer at any time.
West Yorkshire Police will always employ the best person for the job, who gives the best interview on the day or performs the best in an assessment, regardless of how they describe themselves on their application form. There is no advantage or preference on the basis of ethnicity.
We are currently accepting applications for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship route from people from our under-represented groups. Follow the link below for more information.
If you are not from one of these groups please keep checking this page for future recruitment opportunities - or keep an eye on our social media channels. Recruitment for those people not from an under-represented group, will open periodically throughout the year, depending on applicant numbers.
There are three entry routes to becoming a Police Officer with West Yorkshire Police:
- The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is for people who do not have a degree or have not had any previous training in the role of a Police Officer.
This has a starting salary of £28,551 per annum increasing to a minimum of £30,957 after three years and £46,044 after seven years if you remain at Police Constable rank, (subject to performance).
The PCDA offers successful candidates the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’ as they will be paid a salary from day one, and the tuition fees will be paid for by West Yorkshire Police
If you are from an Ethnic Minority background click here to find out more about the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship scheme.
- The Direct Entry Detective Constable (IPLDP+) route is for people who want to be a Detective Constable through the Initial Police Learning & Development Programme Plus (IPLDP+).
This has a starting salary of £28,551 per annum increasing to a minimum of £30,957 after three years and £46,044 after seven years if you remain at Police Constable rank, (subject to performance).
- The Police Constable IPLDP Uniform route is for people who want to be a Police Constable through the Initial Police Learning & Development Programme (IPLDP)
This has a starting salary of £28,551 per annum increasing to a minimum of £30,957 after three years and £46,044 after seven years if you remain at Police Constable rank, (subject to performance).
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
West Yorkshire Police is committed to attracting diversity at all levels of the organisation. We believe that having a more diverse workforce with different experiences and perspectives, who come from a wide range of communities, will allow us to become more effective in preventing and reducing crime, keeping people safe and caring for victims, as well as continue to help develop a more inclusive culture as detailed within the Force Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategy.
As part of our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy, we use Positive Action as a tool to help address under representation within our workforce.
Positive Action
West Yorkshire Police uses Positive Action, which is a range of measures and initiatives allowed under the Equality Act 2010, to actively encourage people from communities that are under-represented to bring their talent, experiences and expertise to our organisation when applying to join us. We also use Positive Action to support the retention and progression of our workforce.
Through the use of Positive Action, we do not seek to remove competition, lower standards or give someone an unfair advantage, rather, to help people from under-represented groups overcome disadvantages in competing with other applicants. It is not about lowering standards and giving some people favourable treatment just because of their protected characteristic; it is about getting everyone to the same starting line and still employing and promoting on merit. We treat all applicants fairly and in accordance with current legislation.
So there is no favouritism or advantage for some, but for under-represented groups there is Positive Action to help improve equality at work for both prospective and existing employees.
Find out more about diversity, equality and inclusion.
Page last reviewed October 2023.