Who we are looking for
Before applying, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria detailed below.
You must be able to answer 'Yes' to the following statements:
- I hold a UK passport or am a British Citizen, member of the EC or other states in the European Economic Area. If you are a Commonwealth Citizen or a foreign national, you must be resident in the UK free from restrictions and with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- I have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years. This does not apply to those serving abroad with the British Armed Forces
- I am 17 years old or older at the point of application. If you are 17, you can go through the recruitment and selection process, but will not receive an offer of employment until you have turned 18
- I have not been unsuccessful in an application for the same role with any home office force in the last six months
- I have a full UK category B manual driving licence. For a short time we are accepting applications if you do not yet have a category B licence on the condition that you successfully pass your test within 35 weeks of the start of your training. You should note that if you do not obtain a full UK category B manual driving licence within this time it could result in termination of your employment. If you’re due to obtain your licence in the coming weeks, please mark this as pending on your application
Additional notes
- Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals can also apply if you have leave to enter or remain in the UK indefinitely and you're free of restrictions
- there are no height restrictions
We are currently offering four entry routes into policing. Depending on which entry route you choose, the academic requirements differ. The entry requirements are varied - you don't need a degree to join us, but we do require a minimum standard of education or equivalent work-experience.
Visit entry routes to find out more.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll receive the best possible training and support.
We have agreed intake sizes for each of our entry routes. If oversubscribed, it may be necessary for us to make changes to your entry route to secure your earliest joining date. If this is the case, we will contact you.
We are currently accepting transfer of successful SEARCH, National online assessment or day one results if obtained within the last 24 months.
If you meet this criteria, please attach your detailed results to your application (you can request these from the force you originally passed with) and declare this on your application form. If acceptable, we will transfer these results and you will not be required to undertake our online assessment stage.
Please note: This option is not applicable if your original application was unsuccessful within the past six months (not including voluntary withdrawal).
Policing is not easy. Not only do you need determination and drive but you also need to be healthy and have a good level of fitness.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job.
Find out more about health conditions and the recruitment process as well as the HM government medical standards information which provides full details on which illnesses, injuries and disorders will affect your ability to perform the police officer role.
Fitness
You will be required to run a 15 metre track in time with bleeps which get increasingly faster. You need to meet level 5.4 on the bleep test to be successful.
If you fail on your first attempt don't worry. You're allowed two more attempts within 12 weeks (second attempt after six weeks, third attempt six weeks later). If after the third attempt you are not successful, we will be unable to continue with your application.
Find out more on the College of Policing website.
Tattoos
If you have a tattoo, you'll be asked to provide a brief and accurate description and two digital colour photos of each tattoo:
- a distance photograph to clearly identify where on your body the tattoo is
- a close photograph which clearly identifies the images in the tattoo
Each photograph should not be more than 1MB in size. Please email them to the Business Services - recruitment team.
What won't be allowed
Visible tattoos are deemed unacceptable if they could reasonably be interpreted as:
- discriminatory
- offensive
- indicative of attitudes or views which are inconsistent with the College of Policing's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour
Tattoos meeting any of the above criteria will prevent you from being able to join us.
Careful consideration will be given to any tattoo located on the neck, face or hands in deciding if this is acceptable. This includes consideration of the size, nature and prominence of the tattoo.
Body piercings
If you have a body piercing or other body modification you may be considered eligible to apply.
We'll check it to make sure it doesn't breach the Standard of Professional Behaviour for serving police officers or constitute a risk to health and safety.
Ideally, you shouldn't have a criminal conviction or cautions record. If you do have one, eligibility will depend on the age and nature of the offence.
We're unable to confirm whether your convictions record will affect your application before you apply, but will determine this from information provided during the recruitment and selection process.
If you don't tell us about any cautions, investigations or criminal convictions, your application could be refused.
If in any doubt, disclose the information.
For more information please view our vetting guidance.
It's important that you're not under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and that you can manage loans and debts sensibly.
You will not qualify for vetting clearance if you:
- have existing county court judgments (CCJs) outstanding
- have been registered bankrupt and have not discharged your bankruptcy. You will not be considered until three years after the discharge of the debt. Debt Relief Orders (DRO) are treated in the same way as bankruptcy
- if you refuse to discuss a relevant matter or engage with the vetting process
For more information please view the vetting guidance.
You will be required to undertake a substance misuse test. If you are using illegal drugs you will be ruled out of the recruitment process automatically.
