A police officer based in Coalville has graduated from De Montfort University (DMU) with a first-class honours degree after completing the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA).

PC Georgia Wood joined the force's fourth PCDA cohort in May, 2021. 

The PCDA entry route enables officers to receive practical on-the-job learning alongside academic theory and knowledge.  

The degree is fully funded and they earn a wage while working and studying for three years.

PC Wood is currently working on response in North West Leicestershire based at Coalville Police Station. 

She said she was surprised to learn she had a first class honours degree and said: "The PCDA route is not the easiest one because you work pretty much full time and have to study on rest days and at the end of your shift, however, I am really glad I did it."

Although both her parents are police officers - her father is retired but works in the rape investigation unit - Georgia had not wanted to become a police officer until she was furloughed from her job during lockdown. 

She said: "I saw the PCDA advert and thought I'd apply and see what happened and I got all the way through the process.  

"Our cohort started during COVID so we initially had to learn online, but as a result, we have remained close and are all really good friends."

Asked what advice she would give to someone thinking of joining the police via the PCDA route, Georgia added: "Going back into education after two years away wasn't easy at times, and studying as well as working long shifts means you really have to manage your time but actually, I got into a good routine. It was all worth it – I now have a first-class honours degree and no student loan. 

"I don't know where my career will take me because there are so many options, but I did an attachment to the Child Abuse Investigation Unit which I really enjoyed and the mental health triage car too but, for now, I am enjoying being on response.

"It still feels a bit surreal to be honest, but getting a first feels like a great achievement."

Paul Mabbutt, Acting Programme Lead for the PCDA at DMU said: "The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme is operated at DMU together with our partners at Leicestershire Police. 

"It's a great opportunity to join the Police by being trained as a warranted officer and also to study for a fully funded BA Degree in Professional Policing. Since the course was revalidated in 2023, it now means that studying and assessments are completed during short block attachments to university, meaning that student officers are then released to concentrate on policing, and also this now preserves their rest days."

Sarah Taylor, Head of Team Leicestershire Academy and Careers said; "To get a first while balancing the demands of being in an operational police officer on a shift pattern, as well as studying and finding time for family and friends, is a huge achievement."

Go to the recruitment pages of the force website to find information on all the different entry routes into policing and when they are open for applications.