Police Officers FAQ
Q. Do I need to have a full driving licence to apply?
A. Yes. At present you must hold a full manual driving licence to apply to become a police constable.
Q. Can I apply using the old style application form?
A. No. Any applicant who submits the old style application form will be automatically be rejected. You can find the new application and vetting form in the How to Apply section.
Q. If I fail the fitness assessment will I get another chance to pass it?
A. No. Any applicant who is unable to meet the essential fitness standard will automatically be rejected and will not be able to re-apply for a minimum period of 12 months.
Q. If I submit my application form electronically, do I have to find out how to sign the form digitally?
A. No. Just type your name and the date into the spaces provided in 'Section 5: Declaration' If you are invited to the initial interview stage , one of the interview panel members will obtain your original signature at the end when we validate your forms.
Q. I wear glasses or contact lenses or have had laser surgery. Can I still apply?
A. Yes. However this is dependent very much on a case by case basis. You can access a copy of the mandatory national eyesight standards for police officers from the fitness and medical section of the website. These guidelines lay out the mandatory national eyesight standards that all applicants are required to meet. So if you are uncertain about your eyesight standard it is recommended that you visit an optician to ascertain wether or not you meet the requisite standard.
Applicants MUST NOT submit or provide any information relating to their eyesight standard or any other medical condition prior to attending their medical appointment at the end of the selection process.
Whilst it is appreciated that you may have some concerns it is worthy of note that Recruiting staff are not qualified to make any judgement or comment relating to any applicant's confidential health status.Further information can be found at www.policecouldyou.co.uk
Q. Do you have a minicom number for people with speech or hearing impairments?
A. Yes. Our number is 01355 566515. To use this service you will need a minicom text phone.
Q. Is there any height restriction to join the police?
A. No.
Q. Should I disclose any previous convictions or any involvement I have had with the police, which includes things like speeding tickets?
A. Yes. Failure to disclose this information means your application will almost certainly be rejected as this would be viewed as an integrity issue.
Q. What type of previous convictions will affect my application?
A. The individual circumstances of each application are considered. All convictions, including conditional offers and parking tickets, must be disclosed.
Q. If somebody in my family has previous convictions, will that affect my application?
A. Each set of circumstances will be looked at on an individual basis.
Q. I am a Muslim woman. Can I continue to wear my hijab?
A Yes.
Q. Can I wear a turban?
A. Yes.
Q. I am a Sikh and have a long beard. Would I have to shave it off?
A. No. Provided your beard is rolled up and contained within a beard net, there is no need to shave it off.
Q. I have a medical condition. Can I still apply?
A. Yes. All applicants are assessed according to their individual circumstances and with regard to the relevant disability discrimination legislation. The medical stage is at the very end of the process and each applicant will be assessed by a qualified medical professional. However the facts are that some medical conditions do end up precluding an individual from joining the force.
Q. Do I need Standard Grades to apply for the police?
A. No. There are no minimum education requirements. However, you will need to be able to pass the Standard Entrance Test, which consists of language, numeracy and information handling papers.
Q. Where can I get a sample of the test paper?
A. You can download a test paper from the Selection Process for Police Officers page of this website.
Q. What age do I need to be to apply to the police?
A. You can apply at 17 1/2 but you won't be appointed until you are 18.
Q. Is there an upper age limit for joining the police force?
A. There is no upper age limit for appointment.
Q. I only have a provisional driving licence – can I still apply?
A. No. You must have a full UK driving licence before you can apply.