High Potential Development Scheme

This is a scheme for serving police officers that is designed to develop the most talented individuals to become the police leaders of the future.

What is the High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS)?

The HPDS is a programme for police officers delivered with an academic partner, resulting in a nationally recognised Masters qualification. It uses a range of innovative approaches to challenge and equip future leaders. Participants will have to demonstrate their desire, commitment and the potential to reach senior officer levels and progress to ACPO.

The initial stage of HPDS leads to an accredited qualification at Post Graduate Diploma level. Those officers who progress to the second part will undertake an academic programme leading to a Masters qualification. HPDS officers will normally be promoted to the next rank when they satisfy the Chief Officer that they are competent. This can speed up the progression of HPDS officers as they do not have to wait for a vacancy to become available.

Eligibility Criteria

HPDS is open to serving police officers at the ranks of Constable and Sergeant only. Officers from all 43 forces in England and Wales and those from PSNI, States of Jersey and BTP can apply for the scheme.

Inspectors and higher ranking officers are not eligible to apply for HPDS. Officers who have been selected for promotion to Inspector are not eligible to apply.

Contact us

Find out more, contact your Development Adviser.

Development Adviser	Forces	Telephone
Richard Bills	Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley	07799 582 119
David Lloyd	Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Leicestershire, Merseyside, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire	07595 007 085
Caroline Murray	British Transport Police, City of London, Metropolitan Police Service, Police Service of Northern Ireland	07595 007 087
Clive Newlands	Avon & Somerset, Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Dyfed & Powys, Gloucestershire, Gwent, North Wales, South Wales, States of Jersey, West Mercia, West Midlands, Wiltshire	07795 060 720
Louise Pearson	Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Humberside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire	07595 007 086

For all general queries, please contact the HPDS team on 020 7021 7070 or see our FAQ section.

Further information about the HPDS Programme and the Assessment Process is available on this website.

Interested in joining the police?

If you are not currently a serving police officer but are interested in joining the police and applying for the HPDS you will need to contact your local force. You will find all recruitment details on the Police Could You website. Once you have joined a police force you will then be able to apply for the scheme.

Future opportunities for applying to join the HPDS will be advertised on this webpage.

Already a scheme member?