Selection Process for Police Officers
It's important our officers reach a certain standard and quality - and that we can assess them to make sure this is the case. Part of this is, of course, identified during our interviews with you and your fitness test - and part is assessed during the Standard Entrance Test.
The selection process can be broken down into stages as follows:
Application Form
The process starts with the completion of an application form. We do not accept CV's and it is vitally important that you complete all sections of the form honestly. You must disclose all material information. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses you should also submit a visual accuracy form to be completed at your expense by your optician. A pdf of the visual accuracy form is included at the bottom of this page.
Standard Entrance Test
Applicants who meet the entrance criteria will be invited to sit a standard entrance test. Sample test papers are attached at the bottom of this page. You must pass all the test papers to proceed to the next stage.
Initial Fitness Assessment
If you pass the Standard Entrance Test you will be sent a letter giving you a date and time for your initial fitness assessment. This assessment will be based on the Scottish Police Service National Fitness Standard.
Prior to declaring you are fit to undertake the fitness assessment, your body mass index (BMI) will be checked by our recruiting staff. If your BMI is not between 18-30 (inclusive) you will not be permitted to undertake the initial fitness assessment and your application will either be suspended or rejected depending on individual circumstances.
Interviews and Vetting
The next phase of the process is interview based. During the initial interview your application will be validated and your commitment and key skills explored.
If successful at this interview you will then be vetted by the Force Vetting Unit, which is independent of the recruiting department.
All the relevant references will also be taken up at this point and the candidate file will be fully reviewed before being offered a final interview.
The final part of this stage is a formal interview. It is designed to pull everything together and challenge your views and opinions on a variety of issues to ensure that you are ready to become a police officer.
Final Stages
The last steps in the process are an in-depth medical and a final fitness test - which again is based on the Scottish Police Service National Fitness Standard - and substance misuse testing.
The entire selection process is designed to be challenging. The length of time to complete the process will vary according to the prevailing conditions in terms of recruiting. You will, however, be kept up to date with your progress at every stage of the process.
You must notify us of any changes that may affect your application immediately. That could include things like a change of address, getting married, or being stopped for speeding. Failure to disclose this information at the appropriate time could have a detrimental effect on your application.