Police Officer
What is the work like?
As a police officer, or constable, the aim of your work would be to preserve order, prevent and investigate crime, and detect and prosecute offenders.
You could work as a uniformed officer on the beat (on foot or in a patrol car) or on police station duties. You would carry out a range of tasks, which could include:
- responding to calls for assistance from the public
- making enquiries into crimes and offences and making arrests
- interviewing witnesses and suspects, preparing crime reports and taking statements
- searching for missing persons
- giving evidence in court
- attending accidents and fires
- custodial duties
- working on the reception desk, dealing with the public
- working in the communications room in two-way contact with officers on the beat.
- policing large public events, concerts and demonstrations
- visiting schools to give talks.
You would need to complete a probationary period as an officer, after which you could specialise in a specific branch such as CID, the drug squad or the traffic police.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Police officer recruitment is handled by individual police forces and their eligibility criteria can vary. However, in general you will need:
- to be a British citizen, a citizen of the Commonwealth, EU or other EEA country, or a foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- to be at least 18 years old
- to satisfy background and security checks and declare any previous convictions
- above average physical fitness, with good vision and colour vision (with or without glasses or contact lenses).
In most cases, you will also need to have been resident in the UK for the three years prior to putting in an application.
Before you are accepted as a trainee police officer, you will need to pass a series of tests covering areas such as working with numbers, communication, reading and writing skills, information handling, decision making and reasoning. You will also have a physical fitness test and a health check.
Check with your local force for exact details – see the Police Service Recruitment, Consensia Partnership and Scottish Police Forces websites for contact details.
As a probationer, student officer or serving officer, you may be able to join the High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS). This Scheme is designed to develop future leaders and senior officers within the police force and leads to a Masters qualification. Check the Police Service Recruitment website, or the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) website for details.
What further training and development can I do?
During your first two years as a trainee (or probationer) police officer, you will spend time learning on the job within your local force and studying subjects such as community safety at a police college. This period is part of an Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) and includes supervised and independent patrolling.
Your probationary period will include working towards NVQ Level 3 in Policing, and you will also be expected to achieve NVQ Level 4 in Policing either during or shortly after this time. These awards cover areas such as communicating with the public, conducting investigations, presenting evidence in court and interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects.
You may increase your chances of promotion if you go on to study for a range of other NVQ qualifications such as:
- Level 3 in Police Supervisory Management
- Level 4 in Police Organisational Management
- levels 4 and 5 in Police Operational Management
- Level 5 in Police Strategic Management.
Throughout your career you will be expected to keep your skills up to date and take part in relevant training as necessary.
Where can I go for more information?
Centre CourtAtlas Way
Sheffield
S4 7QQ
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Salaries can vary between police forces.
- The starting salary is generally between £20,000 and £22,000 a year.
- With several years' experience, earnings can reach around £30,000.
- A sergeant can earn up to £36,000.
- Inspectors can earn up to around £44,500.
There may be extra pay for working overtime. Police officers working in the London area may receive an additional cost of living allowance.
Figures are intended as guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work 40 hours a week on a shift system, which may include nights, weekends and public holidays, with two rest days each week. Overtime is often available. You can apply to join the police force on a part-time basis.
You will spend much of your time outdoors on foot, in a patrol car or on a motorcycle. You will have some indoor duties, for instance in the police station, the courts, or on private or business premises.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- honesty, confidence, social awareness and a responsible attitude
- the ability to weigh up a situation, react quickly and take positive action
- resilience and the ability to remain calm in sometimes life-threatening situations
- the ability to work alone or in a team
- strong communication skills
- courage, initiative and common sense
- good fitness levels to deal with incidents and disturbances
- good literacy skills to record details of incidents and arrests accurately
- a firm, yet tactful approach
- the ability to show tolerance and courtesy to the public
- self-discipline and the ability to give and receive instructions.
What opportunities are there?
There are around 52 police forces in the UK. For information on job vacancies, you should contact or check the website for the police force you wish to join because recruitment is decided on a local level. You will find a list of police forces on the Police Service Recruitment website (link opens new window).
Following your probationary period (the first two years of service), you can specialise in a branch such as the traffic police, the fraud squad or underwater search units. Opportunities for promotion are also frequently available because all higher rank positions are filled from within the police service.
You could apply for the High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS), which aims to provide potential leaders of the future with fast-track promotion opportunities (see the NPIA website for details).
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