A development programme and promotion mechanism to enable some of the most talented serving police constables to advance to the rank of inspector within two years.
Applications for cohort 10 of the Fast Track programme are now closed. The application window for cohort 11 opens in April 2025 and is open to both detectives and uniform officers.
The aim of the programme is to attract, identify and develop some of the most talented officers, who wish to reach senior levels of leadership within the police service. They will bring new perspectives, diverse skills, have a positive influence on the continuous development of policing, and impact on the management and culture of the service.
The programme also supports individuals to advance to the rank of inspector within two years, and to reach the senior ranks of the service (at least superintendent) within their careers.
Overall, it supports individuals’ continuing professional development to provide a cadre of officers with the skills, experience and capacity to reach the senior ranks in the service.
If you feel you have the potential and drive to become a fast track officer and reach senior levels in police leadership then Fast Track could be the programme for you.
The application window opens once a year, you may feel you need more development before applying. It should be seen as an ongoing process where you apply when you are ready.
Selection process timeline
Cohort 11
- April 2025: Application window opens.
- May to June 2025: Force selection process.
- September 2025: National assessment centre.
- December 2025: Start Fast Track programme module one.
How to apply
Forces
Each police force is responsible for selecting its own candidates to send for national assessment although they will base this decision against the College of Policing guidance.
It is an individual force decision as to whether they take part in the Fast Track programme.
Police forces will nominate candidates to be assessed nationally.
Candidates
To find out whether you are really suited to the Fast Track programme and possess the potential and strengths required to succeed on the programme, we recommend that you download and complete as honestly as possible the high potential development tool before you apply.
Candidates will be rigorously tested to ensure that they have the potential leadership, operational and strategic ability to initially perform competently in the rank of inspector following the intense development programme, equipping them to progress to at least superintendent within their career.
Applications are welcomed from dedicated, talented individuals who can demonstrate that they are suitable for this programme. The information set out above and in the competency and values framework for policing is designed to give you a sound understanding of what is expected of you and what you can expect from the programme. Take the time to read these thoroughly before you apply.
Join the Fast Track programme group on the Knowledge Hub (you will need to log in) to find out more about the programme and hear about our upcoming events.
National assessment centre
The national assessment centre will be demanding, pushing you to demonstrate your potential across a range of testing scenarios. It aims to evaluate your:
- ability to reach and perform competently in the rank of inspector within two years
- potential and motivation to reach at least the rank of superintendent during your service
- ability to demonstrate and promote new ways of thinking and different perspectives that can effectively influence the way that policing operates
Training and support
The Fast Track programme is designed to attract talented serving constables from within the police service and equip them with the leadership qualities, operational skills and strategic understanding they will need to be promoted to the rank of inspector within two years.
Candidates will be supported throughout the programme. Although individual forces will take responsibility for much of the training and development, supplementary strategic and leadership training will be provided by the College of Policing.
| Qualification eligibility |
Serving police constable or detective constable |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites |
See additional information |
| Duration |
Two years |
| Accreditation |
No
|
| Additional documents |
Eligibility
Serving police constables
At the point of submitting their application form, serving police constables (of only constable rank) must:
- be sworn into a Home Office police force in England and Wales, or by another recognised non-Home Office police force
- not be substantively or temporarily promoted undertaking national police promotions framework (NPPF) step 4 (on a work-based assessment (WBA) programme)
Officers can still apply if they have been successful at step 3 but are still on a 'select list' awaiting posting and promotion to temporary sergeant at the time of submitting their application. They may hold an Objective Structured Performance Related Exam (OSPRE) part I or II qualification, and be an acting sergeant or temporary sergeant other than NPPF step 4 (WBA) (see status on appointment and during the programme in relation to any qualifications attained following application).
IPLDP constables
Initial police learning and development programme (IPLDP) constables may apply in their probationary period. But before commencing the first Fast Track College module they must:
- achieve all learning standards in the IPLDP
- demonstrate achievement of the assessment criteria associated with the Diploma in Policing (or equivalent standard in the case of the Metropolitan Police Service)
- have completed their probationary period within six weeks from 1 December before commencing the first Fast Track College module
Forces are responsible for ensuring that the timelines are possible before recommending officers for the programme.
Although there is no requirement for serving police officers to hold a degree, the force must be satisfied that:
- there is substantial and compelling evidence that the individual is likely to be able to cope with the intellectual and academic demands of the Fast Track programme
- the individual has defined skills and abilities that are in demand in the force and are aligned to the force's future success
PCDA constables
Police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) constables may apply in their probationary period. But before commencing the first College Fast Track module they must have:
- achieved full operational competence
- achieved their degree
- completed their three-year probationary period within six weeks from 1 December before commencing the first Fast Track College module
Forces are responsible for ensuring that the timelines are possible before recommending officers for the programme.
The force must be satisfied that the individual has defined skills and abilities that are in demand in the force and are aligned to the force’s future success.
DHEP constables
Degree-holder entry programme (DHEP) constables may apply in their probationary period. But before commencing the first College Fast Track module they must have:
- achieved full operational competence
- achieved the Graduate Diploma in Professional Policing Practice.
- completed their probationary period within six weeks from 1 December before commencing the first Fast Track College module
Forces are responsible for ensuring that the timelines are possible before recommending officers for the programme.
The force must be satisfied that the individual has defined skills and abilities that are in demand in the force and are aligned to the force’s future success.
Degree in professional policing
Constables who have joined with a 'pre-join’ degree in professional policing may apply in their probationary period. But before commencing the first College Fast Track module they must have:
- achieved full operational competence
- completed their probationary period within six weeks from 1 December before commencing the first Fast Track College module
Forces are responsible for ensuring that the timelines are possible before recommending officers for the programme.
The force must be satisfied that the individual has defined skills and abilities that are in demand in the force and are aligned to the force’s future success.
About the Fast Track programme
The Fast Track programme is provided for by Police Regulations 2003 and the Police (Promotion) Regulations 1996. It supports the national policing vision in helping the successful implementation of force talent management strategies by:
- attracting, identifying and developing the most talented constables from within the police service who wish to become senior leaders in policing
- offering a development programme and promotion mechanism to enable the most talented to advance to the rank of inspector within two years for serving constables
- developing a cadre of officers with the skills, experience and capacity to reach the senior ranks of the service (at least superintendent) to have a positive impact and influence on the management and culture of policing
Privacy policy
Our privacy notice for the Fast Track programme provides details of how the College of Policing collects and processes personal data.