Scottish Police Service - Eligibility
Here you will find help to find out whether you are eligible to join the Scottish police service.
To apply for an Scottish Police Force
Constable
The basic criteria required for application is:
- Aged between 18 ½ years and; 40 years on appointment (age limit can vary depending on the force).
- A British, Irish or a Commonwealth citizen (whose stay in this country is not subject to restriction)
- Of good character
- Able to demonstrate a good standard of education.
- Physically fit and have good vision.
- A full driving licence (or in the process of learning)
The above entry requirements can vary by individual police force.
The pay and conditions of service for a constable can be found by clicking this link to Pay and Conditions or they may be detailed on the forces recruitment page.
To apply for the post of Constable use the links below to go to the web site of the force you wish to join. The forces own site may give you details of the e-mail address, telephone number or postal address you need to contact for an application form. Otherwise find the telephone number of your local forces Headquarters in your local Yellow Pages or Thomson Local and ask for the recruitment section.
- Central Scotland Police
- Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary
- Fife Constabulary
- Grampian Police
- Lothian & Borders Police
- Northern Constabulary
- Strathclyde Police
- Tayside Police
Special Constable
Special Constables are ordinary members of the public who give up their own time in order to assist the regular officers in their duties. Special Constables have the same powers as a regular officer and are required to attend for duty for a minimum number of hours per month normally around 16-18 hours. The role is unpaid, but the uniform is provided free and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are paid by the force.
The basic criteria required for application is:
- Aged between 18 ½ years and 50 years (age limit can vary depending on the force).
- A British, Irish or a Commonwealth citizen (whose stay in this country is not subject to restriction)
- Of good character
- Physically fit and healthy
- People in certain jobs are not suitable due to conflicts of interests e.g. licensees, security officers and court officials etc.
To apply for the position of Special Constable use the links below to go to the web site of the force you wish to join. The forces own site may give you details of the e-mail address, telephone number or postal address you need to contact for an application form for the Special Constabulary. Otherwise find the telephone number of your local forces Headquarters in your local Yellow Pages or Thomson Local and ask for the recruitment section.
- Central Scotland Police Special Constabulary
- Dumfries & Galloway Police Special Constabulary
- Fife Police Special Constabulary
- Grampian Police Special Constabulary
- Lothian & Borders Police Special Constabulary
- Northern Police Special Constabulary
- Strathclyde Police Special Constabulary
- Tayside Police Special Constabulary
Police Cadet
Between the ages of 16 and 17-and-a-half years at the start of the programme. The programme finishes when you are 18-and-a-half-years old, at which time you may be accepted into the police service.
You will need four standard grade passes at level 3 or better, which must include Maths and English.
You must have good eyesight though wearers of glasses may fall within the acceptable limits. If you wear spectacles or contact lenses, or are uncertain about your eyesight standard, it will be necessary to submit an optician's report.
You must be fit and healthy. A fitness assessment and medical will form part of the recruitment process.
You must be a British, Commonwealth or Irish Citizen.
If you want to know whether you qualify for the Scottish Police Force, read the Police Eligibilty section above.
