Police Recruitment
To apply for an English or Welsh Police Force
General Entry Requirements - Constable
The basic criteria required for application is:
- Aged between 18 ½ years and 55 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
- A full driving licence (or in the process of learning)
General Entry Requirements - 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 55 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 a Scottish Police Force
General Entry Requirements - Constable [The Police in Scotland]
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.
General Entry Requirements - Special Constable [The Police in Scotland]
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 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 healthy
- People in certain jobs are not suitable due to conflicts of interests e.g. licensees, security officers and court officials etc
General Entry Requirements - Cadet [The Police in Scotland]
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.
Strathclyde Police Cadet Programme for information.
To apply for The Police Service of Northern Ireland
General Entry Requirements - Constable
The basic criteria required for application is:
- Aged between 18 ½ years and 55 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
- A full driving licence (or in the process of learning)
To apply please click on this link to The Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment web site.
If you have any queries or are in any doubt regarding entry requirements, please contact your local Police force recruitment section for guidance. Find their web site by using the Police Links page.
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