AgeYou must be 18 1/2 to join the police. You can apply at aged 18. There is technically no upper age limit but at present officers must retire no later than age 60 and there is a two year training and probationary period - you do the maths!
DisabilityThe police service is an equal opportunities employer, and where possible, will make adjustments in order to not discriminate against those who are disabled. There is a space on the application form to declare disabilities. Note that there are restrictions on how far the police service is able to adjust. For example, some people have tried using the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act to argue that they should be employed as police officers despite not meeting the police eyesight standards. So far this has been unsuccessful!
NationalityThe nationality requirements were relaxed a few years ago, and you can now apply if you are:
a British national, or
a national of any country in the European Economic Area (EEA), or
a Commonwealth or foreign national provided you have indefinite leave to stay in the UK
If the latter, you must include with your application a photocopy of your passport to prove your leave to stay.
Convictions and CautionsThe police carry out security checks on every applicant. This means looking to see if the person has any convictions or cautions. It's a pretty wide-spread check and will encompass things like juvenile cautions (whatever the age of the applicant) and motoring convictions like speeding, dangerous driving and the like.
Minor convictions and/or cautions may not prevent you from joining the police. However, convictions for certain serious offences including murder, manslaughter, rape, kidnapping and firearms offences will definitely cause you to be rejected. In addition, involvement in any of the following types of offences is going to cause serious problems for your application - assaults involving serious injury (ABH, GBH); violent offences towards others; indecency offences; public order offences (affray, disorderly conduct, threatening behaviour); racially or homophobically motivated offences; serious involvement in drugs offences; burglary or other serious theft / fraud offences; driving dangerously or drink/drive within the last 10 years, other serious motoring offences such as driving without insurance; more than three endorseable driving offences in the last five years.
You'll also be unsuccessful if you've spent time in prison (as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence), received a caution in the last 5 years.
TattoosIf you have tattoos on your hands, neck, forearms or face then you may struggle to get accepted by the police service. You can only be accepted as a recruit if any tattoos are inoffensive and will be covered by your uniform. Not all tattoos are taboo, but they must be conducive with the standards expected of a police officer.
Membership of BNP or similarThe British National Party is an organisation whose aims and objectives are contrary to a police officer's duty to promote racial equality. If you are or have been a member of the BNP or a similar organisation, your application is extremely unlikely to succeed.
Business InterestsIf you or your partner/spouse has any involvement in a business selling alcohol, and/or either of you are a licensee then your application is going to struggle. The role of a licensee is considered to conflict with that of a constable!
The letter of the law states that officers may not have any business interest, nor may they have a spouse or partner running a shop in the police area in which they work. In practice, many officers are given permission to continue such business interests but this is at the discretion of the police force.
Other stuffContrary to popular rumour and myth, you don't need to have a driving licence nor do you need to be able to swim to join the police service! Having said that, the ability to drive is pretty much vital in the modern police service (whether that's a good thing or not is for another discussion), and while it shouldn't stop you from being accepted you may well find it a hindrance in your police career.
More information:
* PoliceCouldYou's
self assessment form (can I apply?)
