Skip to the content

Eligibility

Before applying to join us, you should know some important information.

Policing is an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career however it does come with its challenges and demands, whatever role you are in. We know how important it is to be clear with what’s expected of you so if you have questions beyond what is outlined in the job vacancies or role profiles do get in touch with us.

There are some minimum entry requirements we will need in order for you to apply:

You can apply for any role from the age of 17 must you must be 18 on appointment. However, in short-listing applicants, we are looking for you to demonstrate competence in the essential skills outlined in the role profile which are not dependent upon age.

Please check the individual vacancy or job role as this will identify the qualifications and/or experience required.

You must be a British Citizen. If you’re from outside the UK, it’s essential that you have indefinite leave to enter or to remain in the UK. Due to changes in legislation, members of the European Economic Area (EAA) are now required to have ILR or EU settled status by the 30th June 2021.

If you are a Commonwealth Citizen or foreign national then your application should include a copy of your passport which shows your stay is free of restrictions. Other documentary evidence of your status may be required.

You will need to have been a resident in the UK for the last three years consecutively.

Convictions or cautions will not necessarily cause a problem for appointment. It will depend on their nature, the circumstances and when the offence was committed. Failure to disclose convictions or cautions will, however, result in your application being terminated.

You must declare all convictions or past offences, formal cautions by the police including those received as a juvenile (under 18) and a bind-over imposed by any court.

You should include traffic convictions such as speeding, drink-drive offences, fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences and any appearances before a court-martial. You must declare any charge or summons currently outstanding against you.

You must include spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (by virtue of the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975) or any involvement with civil, military or transport police.

You must say if you have ever been involved in any criminal investigation whether or not this led to prosecution (either of yourself or others).

Some applicants do not declare information which they believe is no longer held on record. However, our enquiries will reveal historical incidents and failure to disclose these will lead to your application being rejected. If you have any doubts, include the details.

We will also search for criminal convictions or cautions recorded against your family, so you should inform them these enquiries will be made. Due to data protection, we will not be able to disclose the results of these enquiries to you.

We need to ensure that you are in good mental and physical health to carry out the role for which you have applied. A medical assessment is part of the recruitment process.

Any job offer will be subject to medical clearance. You will be asked to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire. This information will be confidentially screened by our occupational health department who may ask for more information from your doctor and/or request a medical examination is completed before an offer of appointment is made.

Recruitment Process

Application Form

Shortlisting

Interviews / Assessments

Vetting, medical, fitness and reference checks

Confirmation of appointment