Police Recruitment
Frequently Asked Questions

In this section you will find the most common asked questions about joining the UK police and aim is to provide you with all the information that you need.

People have all different types of questions about joining the police, some who are just starting to consider this as a career and others who already involved within the recruitment process.

If there is a question that you would like answered that does not appear here then please send an email to info@police-recruitment.co.uk and we will not only send you the answer to the question directly but we will also add it to this page so that other people can benefit from the response.

Q. What Is The Standard Pay For A Police Officer?

As a police officer you will be on a very competitive starting salary and a number of fantastic benefits and this is one of the factors that often attracts people to the role in the first place.

There is not actually a standard rate of pay for police officers for the simple reason that it varies from force to force and is not set at a national level. As a general trend the forces in the bigger cities tend to pay their officers more that rural forces.

From the 1st September 2008 on joining the pay is £22,104 and on completion of initial training (end of 31 weeks) it rises to £24,675. For the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) London Weighting is £2,055 and London Allowances is £4,338. Therefore during training pay will be £28,497 and after £31,068.

 The average starting wage of a police officer is between £20,000 - £22,000 and this will continue to rise each year as you have more years of service and experience under your belt. In addition to this police officers in some forces receive additional allowances such as a travel allowance to complement their salary.

Q. What Are The Benefits Of Being A Police Officer?

As a police officer you will also receive a wide range of benefits in addition to a generous salary. The main benefits include:

• an excellent pension,
• various promotion opportunities,
• the option to specialise in a particular field (e.g. firearms)
• flexible working hours.
• paid overtime
• Generous holiday allowance 23 days plus bank holidays.
• Paid sick leave
• Eligible for the key workers scheme

Q. What Is The Working Week Of A Police Officer Like?

A normal working week for a Police Officer typically consists of 40 hours (plus any paid overtime that an officer undertakes). The working hours of a police officer is divided into a shift pattern which is set out months in advance. The shift pattern that you will work as an officer will be defined in the contract your sign when you join your force but they will vary from force to force.

For example, one week you could be work 4 days on 3 days off and this could be broken down in the following way:

Monday: 10-6pm
Tuesday: 8 - 4pm
Wednesday: 4 - 12am
Thursday: 12-8pm
Friday: Off
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Off

Q. What Are The Different Types Of Police Rank?

The types of ranks within the police force are as follows:

- Police Constable
- Police Sergeant
- Inspector
- Chief Inspector
- Superintendent
- Chief Superintendent
- Assistant Chief Constable
- Deputy Chief Constable
- Chief Constable

Q. What Are The Entry Requirements To Join The Police?

Basic guidelines for applicants:

• there are no minimum or maximum height requirements
• there is no formal educational requirement,
• you must be either a British Citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• you must physically and mentally be able to undertake police duties

Please read below for more detailed information on each requirement.

Q. What Is The Nationality And Residency Criteria?

You can be of any nationality to apply provided that you have permanent right to remain without restriction in the UK if you are from a non European Economic Area (EEA) country.

If a candidate has not resided in the United Kingdom for the 3 years prior to submitting an application, the application cannot be accepted.

Those looking to become a police officer must satisfy BOTH the nationality and residency criteria to be eligible for the role. If you do not meet this criteria and you apply, you application will be rejected.

Q. Do You Need To Be Fit Before You Apply?

This is a question that is often asked and many candidates do not consider this when preparing to apply for the role. Once you had completed the assessment centre you will need to pass a fitness test and if you do not pass you will not progress.

While the police fitness test does not demand a high fitness level from candidates you still need to be in pretty good shape and meet the requirements that have been set. The last thing you want to do is make it through the assessment centre and then fail at the fitness test.

There are two elements to the test: dynamic strength and endurance fitness. If you want to know more about the fitness test please click here: police fitness test

Q. Are There Any Age Restrictions To Joining The Police?

To join the police you must be at least 18 years old, applications from candidates below this requirement will not be accepted.
 

Q. Is there an upper age limit?

There is in fact no limit up age limit to apply to become a police but you must bear in mind that you will need to meet all the requirements in the recruitment process, which includes the fitness test. In addition to this, you will need to complete you two year probation period and the normal retirement age is 55 years old.

Q. I have fewer than five GCSEs. Can I still apply?

Yes you can still apply!

There is no formal educational requirements, but you will have to pass written tests. You should make sure that your application form is well written and presented as grammar and spelling is assessed and that you meet demonstrate the core competencies on your application form.

Q. Do You Have To Be A UK Citizen?

You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom.

Foreign nationals and UK citizens who have lived abroad may have to wait some time for security and vetting clearance. All applicants have to be vetted to the same standard before appointment.

Q. What If I Have A Criminal Record Should I Declare This?

Yes always!

As part of the vetting process the police will carry out extensive and in-depth checks into your background and your financial status to determine whether you have ever been convicted of an offence or been involved in activities that could compromise your integrity.

You should tell the police what you know about convictions. They will find out in any case and if you have not declared them they may assume you have not been totally honest. Coming across as dishonest looks much worse than have been convicted of an offence but you have declared it.

Although you may still be eligible to join the police service if you have minor convictions/cautions, there are certain offences and conditions that will make you ineligible including anyone who has committed a violent crime or public order offence. If you are at all unsure, contact your chosen force contact your chosen force for more information.

Q. What If A Family Member Has A Criminal Record?

The same answer as above applies to this question, be open and honest from the start. The police are more likely to look favourably look upon an applicant who has adopted this approach than one who has failed to declare information.

So many candidates try to leave information out about family members in the hope that this will be missed by the police. They have a whole vetting department with vetting officers who's sole responsibility is to undertake advanced vetting. They will not miss anything and have the power to reject candidates!
 

Q. What If I Have A Tattoo, Can I still Apply?

A common question that is asked: Can I still apply to join the police if I have a tattoo?

The entry requirements to join the police state that you should not have tattoos which could cause offence to others. Further to this, Tattoos are deemed unacceptable "if they are particularly prominent, garish, offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of your role."

In addition to this, if you have tattoos on your face, neck, forearms or hands you need to declare it on your application form and describe their exact nature.

Q. I don't have a driving licence. Can I still apply to become a police officer?

Yes. You don't need to have a full driving licence to apply.

But you will need to learn to drive and pass you test in your own time and at your own expense within the first year of appointment.

Q. Is My Financial Status Important?

Applicants will have their financial status checked. These checks are carried out because police officers have access to privileged information, which may make them vulnerable to corruption.

Applicants with outstanding County Court judgements, who have been registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, will be rejected. If you have discharged bankruptcy debts then you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction with your application.

Q. Is Physical Fitness Important?

To ensure you are fit enough for the role, you will undertake a fitness test. There are two elements to the test and you must pass both before you can be appointed: dynamic strength and endurance fitness. You will undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet the health standards required.

However this is just to pass the police recruitment process. You should also bear in mind that fitness does play a part in the day to day role of a police officer. Police officers will often encounter stressful situations, physical confrontation and  sometimes work long hours on shifts.

Q. Does Eyesight Matter?

Yes eyesight does matter if you want to become a police officer!

After you have completed the assessment centre you will be required to have your eyesight tested. Like every stage of the recruitment process if you fail the eyesight test you will be rejected. You may be asked to go to an optician to have your eyes tested if there are any conerns.

Q. What Are The Eyesight Requirements For The Police?

The eyesight standards for new Police Officer recruits are:

• Unaided vision (without spectacles or lenses) - 6/36 or better in either eye is required. Binocular vision (vision with both eyes) worse than 6/6 requires correction.
• Aided vision (wearing lenses or spectacles) - 6/12 or better in either eye and 6/6 or better using both eyes (binocular vision) is required.
• Near vision - N6 at 40 cm with both eyes together (aided).

Q. Can I Apply If I Have Had Laser Eye Surgery?

Yes and No.

No - If you have undergone Radial Keratotomy, Arcuate Keratotomy or corneal grafts.

Yes - If you have undergone other forms of refractive surgery such as LASIK, LASEK and PRK providing 6 weeks have passed since the surgery.

Q. How Do I Get Hold Of An Application Form?

To make an application to the join the police you need to contact your local police force or the force you are considering joining to see if they are currently recruiting.

If they are recruiting for the role of police officer then you register for an application which you can print off and send back to your police force before the application date closes. Different police forces recruit at different times of the year, so if you are unsure them contact them at see when their next recruitment phase is.

It is becoming more common place that applications are to be filled out and completed online and this is the direction that more and more forces are considering if not already implementing. It makes the administration process a lot easier and also makes it even easier for candidates to apply as there is no need to print off a form and visit their local post officer. Check the website of your police force to see if they accept online application forms. 

Q. What Happens After I Apply?

After you have completed your application form and returned it to your local police force a 5 step recruitment process begins. 

Step 1 - The application form sift

(If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre - step 2)

Step 2 - The assessment centre

Step 3 - The fitness test, eye test and medical examination

Step 4 - Vetting Process involving a background and security check

Step 5 - Offer of employment
 

Q. How Can I Increase My Chances Of Success During The Recruitment Process?

This is a question that is often asked my those seeking to become a police officer.

The first key tip is to learn the core competencies inside out and try to apply them to each and every stage. you are judged on your ability to demonstrate these and match the job profile of a police officer.

The second tip is to fully prepare yourself before you arrive at the assessment centre. So many candidates turn up and prepared and this shows in the answers they provide.

The third tip is to gain some insider knowledge about the assessment day, whether you speak to someone who has already attended or invest in one of the recruitment products available on this website. Preparation is the key to success and the more you practice the more confident you will become.

Click here to read more: police recruitment products

Q. There Are A Number Of Police Recruitment Training Courses Available, What Makes Yours Different?
 

The police course that is available on this website offers great value for money, is taught by tutors whose knowledge of the police recruitment process is second to none, has been created in conjunction with police recruitment staff and covers every part of the selection process. You are also provided with exercises and tasks to take away with you so your preparation continues long after the course. You also undertake a mock interview on the day and mock role play exercises so it

Click here to read more: police course
 

Q. What Happens After The Recruitment Process?

After the initial recruitment stage, you’ll undergo an intensive training programme as a probationer constable. The first section of this training period usually lasts about 30 weeks and you’ll spend some of this time learning core policing skills at a training centre. The remainder of your time will be spent on patrol with a tutor constable gaining practical operational experience.

Gradually you’ll take on more tasks on your own until you are ready for independent patrol. This type of on-the-job training will give you the opportunity to practise your newly acquired skills under supervision in a relatively safe environment.

But your training doesn’t end there. You will receive further training during the remainder of your probation and your performance will be continually assessed. Then, at the end of the 2 year probationary period, you will hopefully be offered a full contract of employment. The probationary period is an opportunity for you to continually develop and prove that you have what it takes to become a competent Police Officer.

Once you have submitted your application, the process can take between 6-9 months before you find out whether an offer of employment will be made.

Q. How Long Do I Have To Wait Before I Can Apply Again?

unfortunately if you are unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process you must wait 6 months before you can apply again. However, this website is designed to help you increase you chances of success so you can achieve you dream job at the first attempt.

One more point to note is that you can only apply to one police force at any one time.

If you have been unsuccessful then you are provided with a feedback form which will indicate the areas which you did will in and those that require improvement. You can use this as a positive step to work on those areas.