Become a Police Officer

The police force is a job in which knowledge and experience are a person’s most valuable assets, and where completing paperwork is a significant day-to-day task. The job is regarded as rewarding by many who perform it, though they warn that you must be realistic and not expect endless slam-bang action in your dealings with your local community and its criminals.

Be prepared

There is always a physical aspect involved in being a police officer – so new recruits are advised to be in good shape before they begin their training. You will be expected to pass fitness and medical tests that, while not as demanding as the army’s for example, still demand a measure of fitness, with poor physical condition the most common reason for turning down applicants.

Emotional strength is important, too. As a police officer you’ll see and hear many harrowing things and you may be expected to inform families that their loved ones have been the victims of crime, or injured or even killed in road accidents.

Applying to the force

Every year, around 35,000 people apply to become police officers in one of England, Wales and Scotland’s 51 forces – but only 5,000 are successful.

Before you apply, you should check the Police Service Recruitment website make sure that the force you wish to join is currently recruiting. You can also use the site to make your application and download forms relating to your medical condition and eyesight.

There is no age limit to becoming a police officer, nor are there any height restrictions. You do, however, have to be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national, Commonwealth citizen, or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the UK.

No formal qualifications are necessary, though you will have to pass written tests, and if you're offered a trainee position you will also be subject to security checks including a criminal record check, though you can still join the police force if you have minor offences or cautions.

Your training – or probation period – will last at least two years and will be divided between a training centre and a working police station. As well as gaining an understanding of what it is like to be a police officer, you will also study law and operational procedures, practice dealing with a variety of incidents, and learn about the community in which you will serve.