Police Recruitment FAQs

​Here are answers to questions that many applying to become a police officer in the UK often have. Whether it's about the role, salary, application process, or your onward UK policing career prospects, you can find information and answers here, completely FREE. Please get in touch or download the guide to police recruitment for complete support through the process.

Is policing the right job for me?

Good question! You may have what it takes. Becoming a police officer in the UK is not for everyone, but this blog on being a cop as a career choice offers much food for thought! Officers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland joined the job for a variety of reasons, but generally find policing to be a rewarding career where they can make a positive impact on their community and people's lives. You might also find these job profiles for various officer roles and functions informative.

What experience do I need to join the police?

The police will consider experience on an individual basis. You need not have been a Special Constable, PCSO or Police Cadet, but those roles help you become familiar with policing and develop your evidence base. The Police Success guide provides detailed examples of applications from retail, delivery drivers, ex-military and many more. Here’s some more information specifically about experience needed to join the police.

How much do police officers earn?

In England & Wales and PSNI, the starting salary for PCs is £18,500 - £24,000 per year from your start date. This increases each year, to £40,100 upon 7 years service. This increases across the board most years as part of public sector standard ‘pay award’ increases. For example, in September 2019, the pay for police officers in all ranks was increased by 2.5%. For the previous year, salaries were increased by 2.0%.

You can earn more through overtime and job-related allowances. Some forces also offer a local top-up salary ‘weighting’ of several thousand pounds, for example the Met Police offer over £7,000 additional allowances as standard. Police Scotland officers start on £26,000, increasing to £40,900 after ten years.

If you wish to get promoted through the ranks, the salary increases further. For example, Sergeants (supervisor level) earn up to £45,000 per year and the Inspector (middle-manager level) scale rises up to £56,000. Chief Officers (the most senior level in forces) earn upwards of £140,000 depending on the size of the force, to the most senior officer in the country, the Met Police Commissioner, earning £286,000.

What is the police officer pension scheme and when can officers retire?

The (optional) police officer pension scheme is generous when compared to other careers, even when compared to others in the public sector, though officers contribute a hefty proportion of their salary each month towards this. Officer contributions to pensions in England & Wales are generally 12% - 14%, depending on the officer’s salary, though the force also contributes nearly double that. The Police Scotland officer pension and PSNI officer pension are technically separate schemes, but work similarly and have similar benefits to that of other forces.

Assuming they are members of the pension scheme, police officers can retire from the age of 55, or wait until aged 60 for their full pension benefits.

How do I become a police officer?

The first step to becoming a police officer is apply to the force you want. If unsure where to start, the 'Joining the Police' site covers joining information and some useful information for all forces in England and Wales. Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have their own recruitment sites, linked here for your convenience. For further detailed guidance throughout the application process, you can download the 8 Step Digital Guide right away and have all questions answered; a no-brainer. You can also check out the Police Success Blog for FREE regular insights.

How has the COVID-19 coronavirus changed the police recruitment process?

Police forces are still recruiting throughout the UK during the coronavirus, not least to achieve the 'Uplift' of 20,000 officers across England & Wales, albeit in a different way. The face-to-face elements are being moved online and many forces are deferring the medical and fitness tests until a later date. For example, the College of Policing have created the ‘Launchpad’ platform for online assessment tests (video link) for use in England & Wales throughout the remainder of 2020, while many forces are also moving their interview step to an online format. For free guidance on this move to online police recruitment, check out this blog. Also keep an eye out for special discount codes during this difficult time!

Does your police recruitment support cover all forces?

Yes! The content of the downloadable guide provides a mix of general police recruitment and assessment centre support combined with specialist materials targeted towards how different UK forces do it. And forces not only differ between each other, they change their own process every year. The beauty of this guide therefore is recognising the commonality between all to help aspiring officers prepare for whatever might be thrown at them; much like a day in the life of a police constable! Naturally, much of the specialist discussion focuses on England & Wales forces, since that is where over 80% of UK officers reside, but fear not, Police Scotland and PSNI bespoke information is included too!

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What is the College of Policing Online Assessment Centre?

As alluded to in the COVID-19 question above, this new assessment centre process entails online assessment tests, an interview, written tests and briefing exercises in place of the 'Day One' / 'SEARCH' police assessment centres for 2020. Check out my blog on this new online assessment method plus free guidance on how to pass briefing exercises. The College have also put out a video on the pure mechanics of the process.

How do I pass the police application form?

You will be asked for evidence of examples from your life and work experience, which will be assessed against specific behaviours (aka ‘competencies’) relevant to the role of police officer. The application form is the step at which many candidates fail. Our Police Success ‘8 Step Guide to Joining the Police’ contains detailed application examples from civilian life and roles, the military and from serving PCSO and Special Constables. We at Police Success also provide free guidance on our blog, such as guidance on compiling your application evidence.

How long does the police application process take?

Generally speaking, applying to join the police and associated recruitment process takes around 3 months. When successful, you will be provided an ‘intake’ date, for when you will start your training alongside other successful candidates.

What qualifications do I need to join the police?

Forces in England & Wales generally ask for a Level 3 qualification, such as A-levels. Many also require Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) in English and Maths, so check with yours. PSNI simply require 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) and the ability to demonstrate computer literacy, which is tested through their online assessments. Police Scotland do not require qualifications; instead candidates must pass their bespoke ‘Standard Entrance Test’.

What is the minimum age I can become a police officer?

You must be aged 18 upon appointment as a police officer. However recent legislative changes to the Police Regulations mean that you can be aged 17 when applying. Check with your local force however, as forces aren’t obliged to reduce the eligible age to 17 for the recruitment processes. Police Scotland and PSNI do allow applications from 17 year olds.

Can you join the police with a criminal record?

As you’d expect, police officers must adhere to higher standards than most other careers when it comes to criminal records. Having a conviction does not stop you from applying to be a police officer; just bear in mind that applicants with cautions, convictions or reprimands may not be accepted, depending on the nature and date of the offence. Honesty is the best policy, as candidates are known to fail the process for trying to conceal information that would otherwise have been acceptable... it all comes out in the vetting!

Will I pass police vetting checks?

Vetting is a confidential and in-depth process. It includes criminal records checks on you, your family and relations. It also includes an assessment of your financial security to ensure that you are a fit and proper person to hold the office of constable. If vetting checks reveal otherwise, you will not necessarily be told why. It is simply pass or fail.

Do I need a driving license to be a police officer?

Check your force, some forces require it others do not. In the majority of cases however, you do need a driving license. Didn't I mention already there are nearly 50 different ways officers are recruited around the UK?!

What other eligibility criteria are there to policing?

View your force specific information for more detailed eligibility criteria on matters such as tattoos, eyesight, beards and other matters. Here are links to the general eligibility across England & Wales, plus criteria for Police Scotland and PSNI.

How much holiday will I get as a police officer?

This varies by force, but generally starts from between 22 - 25 days upon appointment, then increases up to 30 days annual leave after several years’ service. Note that public holidays are received in addition to this. You will find out your force’s annual leave policy in the application packs/information you receive. Full-time working hours average 40 hours per week, but will vary according to shift patterns.

What training is provided to new officers?

Upon successful appointment, you will be provided full training in the law, personal safety, investigation, and many other elements of the role to help you become an effective police officer. This lasts a number of months before going out on operational duties, where you will then be supported with additional training and tutoring to help you through the first few years of your ‘probation’ into the job. The details vary by force, however the College of Policing’s published curriculum gives you some idea of what skills and knowledge you will learn.

You are paid from your day of appointment, so you earn a full wage throughout training.

Can I apply to more than one force at a time?

Yes, but you can only attend one assessment centre in any six-month period, regardless of how many forces you may apply to. This may be subject to change (as with all recruitment processes!), so be sure to check the instructions provided. For PSNI and Police Scotland, you apply to just the one force anyway.

What is the police recruitment process?

Our 8 Step Digital Guide to Joining the Police covers UK force recruitment processes including information on different entry routes. Download a FREE sample of the guide to 'try before you buy' or view our blog for more free info.

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Will I pass the police fitness test?

This assesses your fitness to perform the role of a police officer, including your aerobic fitness. Police forces expect candidates to be fit and ready when applying. Running will be entailed, for example forces in England & Wales and Police Scotland require a minimum of level 5.4 on the multi-stage shuttle run (aka ‘Beep Test’). Police Scotland also offers an alternative of completing a 1.5 mile run within 18 minutes (average is therefore 5 mph). Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have a more demanding multi-stage fitness test; PSNI call theirs a Physical Competence Assessment and provide fitness guidance here, but there is plenty of fitness information elsewhere online or social media. Whatever your chosen force has in store for you, now is always a good time to start preparing, so dig out those trainers!

What are police assessment centres?

Assessment centres exist to see how you operate in scenarios similar to that required of the role. The assessment centre process provides you with opportunities to demonstrate the required behaviours and values needed as a police officer.

Trained assessors score how you perform in exercises against specific competencies and values. These include various psychometric tests, interviews, role plays, and other bespoke police assessment tests covered in the 8 Step Digital Guide. Note that most forces have moved to online police assessment centres for the remainder of 2020 as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

Where can I practice assessment centre tests?

Like anything in life, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with police assessment tests before your assessment centre, rather than trying to ‘wing it’ on the day. 'Job Test Prep' are the experts in this arena, providing a range of bespoke police assessment tests, including ones specific to police assessment centres. Some forces (e.g. Police Scotland) also offer practice tests as part of either their standard recruitment process or ‘positive action’ schemes.

What is the CVF and what competencies will be assessed?

All police forces in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland now use the College of Policing’s Competency and Values Framework (CVF), or a localised slight variation. Police Scotland still outlines a list of bespoke ‘personal competency descriptors’ in guidance to applicants, but appear to be moving to the CVF as they have for officer promotion and have started advising officer applicants to read the CVF. Both are covered in the 8 Step Digital Guide, including tailored example evidence. In effect, competency frameworks simply describe the traits forces look for in a prospective candidate, as outlined in this blog.

What questions will I be asked at interview?

You won’t know exactly what the questions are right now, but they are easy to predict if you've prepared in advance. Police recruitment interview questions will be aligned to the competencies used in-force. The 8 Step Digital Guide has a ready-made bank of specific and relevant support questions you can use to practice and develop your confidence ahead of your interview opportunity.

What is the probationary period for new officers?

This varies by force and by entry route. In most cases it is two years, however for the newly introduced Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) in England & Wales forces, it is three.

What support networks exist within policing?

There are lots of support programmes and networks within policing including but not limited to: British Association for Women in Policing, Disability Police Association, Christian Police Association, Black and Minority Ethnic Police Association, LGBT support networks, mental wellbeing support and much more should you choose to become a member of your local Police Federation. Officers usually become aware of support available in-force as part of their induction.

Where can I do the Pre-Join Degree in Policing at university?

You might want to study policing at university before joining as a police officer. If so, you'll find all information and universities offering the degree here.