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Our Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP) provides you with a blend of practical “on-the-job” experience and classroom-based learning at Kent Police College in Maidstone. There is no requirement to undertake a degree or the associated course work.
Before you apply, please read our 'evidencing your skills and experience' section below to ensure that your application has the best chance of success. You will not be able to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process if you do not provide sufficient examples.
Please note should this police officer entry route be oversubscribed; it may be necessary for us to make changes to your entry route based on your eligibility to secure your optimum joining date. If this is the case, we will contact you.
We will ask you to answer the following questions. Please respond fully drawing from your previous experience, aiming for approximately 200 words in each response.
please provide evidence of how your experience or training is equivalent to a GCSE (or equivalent) in maths and has equipped you with the potential to undertake the necessary elements of the role (for example problem solving, accounting, critically assess information, analyse data etc).
When constructing your response, use examples from previous roles or life experience. You can use the STAR method to create your response:
Example
The following example shows how I have used my leadership skills.
Situation - in my previous digital marketing role, the company wanted to achieve more sign ups to a newsletter as the sign-up rate was low.
Task - my job was to find a way of getting more people to sign up.
Action - I organised a meeting with other members of the marketing team to come up with creative ideas. I led the social media campaign to generate interest in the revised newsletter.
Result - over a period of 3 months, there was a 25% increase in sign-ups to the newsletter. The approach I took was used by the management team in other departments to increase sign-ups across the organisation.
The national sift has been designed to allow you to demonstrate your suitability for entry to the next stage of the recruitment process. The national sift consists of two exercises: the situational judgement test (SJT) and a behavioural styles questionnaire (BSQ).
These exercises are used to assess capabilities, strengths and behaviours that are important within the role you have applied for. The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) sets out the behaviours expected in policing. For the national sift, the competencies review criteria is set at level 1. You can find out more about the Competency and Values Framework on our website. For the national sift, no prior policing knowledge is required to complete the exercises. For more information about the national sift please view the College of Policing website.
The College of Policing online assessments are a selection of exercises used to assess your suitability to fulfil the role of police constable. These exercises are mandatory assessments designed specifically for the recruitment of police constables.
Throughout the exercises, you will be assessed against the competencies and values that are important for effective police constables. The competency and values framework (CVF) sets out the behaviours expected in policing. For police constable recruitment, the competencies review criteria is set at level 1. For more information about the Online Assessment process, please see the College of Policing website.
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview with serving officers and staff where we will test you on our competencies and values framework.
We will contact you with further information by email about:
Your interview is an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you should join our team.
Please note this is a formal assessment and therefore the dress code is smart.
Upon successful completion of your training at the Training College, you will join an operational policing team where you will continue your learning and development whilst undertaking day-to-day police duties.
The programme will cover a wide range of policing topics including:
You will undertake assessments throughout the programme to demonstrate your ability to carry out your policing responsibilities. You will also need to complete a portfolio to provide evidence of your progress. You will be fully supported throughout the process, helping you to develop and enhance the skills and experience you need for this challenging but rewarding role.
Many people fail the vetting process because they withhold information.
You will not qualify for vetting clearance if you:
If you have applied for a police officer role (including special constable) or as a member of support staff and you are in the evidential chain, your application will be rejected where:
View the full vetting guidance.