There are many ways to enter the police, then in 2020 there will be a big improvement in the recruiting process which means that you will need to hold at least a degree requirement by the time you end your probation.
They work in cooperation with the people they serve to maintain law and order, to protect people of the community and properties, and to identify, deter and prosecute crimes. This is a demanding profession that requires a high degree of professional honesty and responsibility.
The United Kingdom has a lot of geographical police forces: there are also England and Wales plus the Northern Ireland Police Service and Scottish Police.
There are 4 special police forces that you should know before you’re going to pursue your career in Police Officer:
- National Police Air Service
- Civil Nuclear Constabulary
- British Transport Police
- Ministry of Defense Police
How to be a police officer in the UK?
The traditional approach to policing is to be applied immediately to one of the police forces of the country. Check if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria before applying. They vary from one police force to another but in particular you should:
- Be 18 years of age or above
- You Must be a British citizen, a citizen of the European Union, EEA country, or a foreign national with permanent leave to reside in the United Kingdom without restriction.
- have been living in the United Kingdom for the last three years,
- Carry an A-level qualification, have been a special constable who used to work as an individual patrol service in the last 2 years or used to work as a PSCO for at least eighteen months.
You will not be accepted if you’ve any felony records, debt issues, or tattoos that may be considered insulting. Members of such radical political parties shall not be allowed to apply. A new driver license is also necessary, and you may often have to perform medical, eye and health checkups.
Many forces require you to pass a Certificate of Police Knowledge before the qualification. This direction will remain in effect until 2019 in December.
You cannot apply if you have made an unsuccessful submission to the police force in the past six months. Visit the police recruiting page that you are interested in joining to check their full criteria and whether you are qualified or not.
The selection process includes a variety of stages:
Filling the police application questionnaire
- Participating in the assessment center
- Attending in an interview
- Medical and wellness tests
- Passing on the background – even security checks.
The police department you apply to will be able to give further information about their recruiting process.
If your application succeeds, you will need to complete a 2-year probationary period classified as the IPLDP (Initial Police Learning and Development Program) before being admitted to the rank of police officer. This training is going to help you pass your Police Certificate.
From there you will continue to make strides through a given rank structure of the police officer. Fast-track or any accelerated programs can also be applicable to the police. It also is possible to apply to serve in specific departments such as the drugs squad, the highway patrol or the handling of dogs and Criminal Enforcement Service (or known as CID).
Other Important Information!
- Degree apprenticeship
- Degree-holder entry
- Policing degree
This implies that after these reforms are made, whichever choice you chose, you can hold a degree-level certification in licensed law enforcement after you have finished your probationary term.