What We're Looking For
We expect the very highest standards from our applicants and there are several essential criteria which must be met for you to pass the very first stage – the paper-sift.
Essential Criteria - am I eligible to apply?
- You must be 18 to be appointed as a police officer, although you can apply at the age of 17 1/2
- You must have a full current UK driving licence.
- You must be physically and mentally able to undertake police duties. The initial fitness assessment will be based on the Scottish Police Service National Fitness Standard. Your Body Mass Index should be between 18 – 30. However this will not be assessed until the medical stage which is at the very end of the selection process.
- You must meet the mandatory national eyesight standard. Guidance on mandatory national eyesight standards is included at the bottom of this page as a pdf. file
Candidates' eyesight will be not be assessed until the medical stage at the very end of the selection process. Failure to meet the standard means you cannot be appointed. Therefore to minimise disappointment applicants may wish to consider consulting with a qualified optician. - Only applications from British citizens, EU/EEA nationals, Commonwealth citizens, or foreign nationals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be accepted. You should also have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years immediately prior to application. In certain circumstances it is possible for a minimum residency period for vetting to be waived. However this can only be done where it is possible to make, or confirm, in the relevant jurisdictions with Law Enforcement and National Security bodies, which are equivalent, and of a similar standard, to enquiries which would be made in the UK, on both the applicant and all family members and associates. In cases where it is not possible to make the equivalent checks, the residency criterion will be stringently enforced.
- You cannot apply if you have submitted an application that is still being considered by any other police force.
- You cannot apply if you have been rejected for any reason in the last 12 months by any police force.
- You must be willing to serve anywhere within the Strathclyde area. This may entail moving house so you need to decide if you are prepared to and capable of meeting all initial relocation expenses.
Application Form
A new national application form was introduced in 2010 and is accessible from the How To Apply section. Anyone who submits the 'old style' application form will automatically be rejected.
What you write on your application form, including the information you provide in response to the competency questions, is all we have to go on when considering you for the next stage of the process.
So read the questions carefully and ensure that you supply all the information and details requested. Do not miss out any sections. It may sound obvious, but write clearly and concisely and take your time completing the application form. The overall quality of your written communication skills are being assessed and may be grounds for rejection.
So, what are we looking for?
Successful applicants come from every walk of life. However each individual must be able to clearly demonstrate that they possess the wide range of personal qualities and attributes essential to become an officer with Strathclyde Police, such as:
- Ability to demonstrate a realistic appreciation of the role and duties
- Ability to demonstrate adequate knowledge of key areas such as the training programme, fitness and conduct standards
- Highest levels of personal integrity, honesty, conduct
- Effective communication skills
- Strong community and customer focus
- Personal effectiveness
- Emotional resilience
- Problem solving skills
- Respect and understanding of equality and diversity
- Effective team working skills
- Proven level of physical fitness
- Strong desire for continual personal development
- Ability to study, learn and pass ongoing academic assessment, particularly throughout two year probationary period
Are you what we're looking for?
Becoming a police officer is an incalculable commitment. It makes you more accountable and people will expect higher standards of behaviour from you at all times. It can also affect many aspects of your personal life, both on and off duty. So before you go any further consider the following:
- Can you act with resolve, tolerance and restraint – even in the most demanding situations?
- Are you willing to accept responsibility for your own decisions and actions?
- Do you behave in a professional, honest and trustworthy manner - at all times?
- Do you understand that the misuse of drugs is illegal and is never acceptable?
- Do you understand that as a member of the police service, officers cannot misuse their position?
- Do you treat everyone with respect and courtesy?
- Can you demonstrate sound judgement in your relationships, friendships and associations?
- Are you able to demonstrate sound judgement in relation to your financial obligations?
- Are there any factors that make you susceptible to corruption or compromise?
- Are you aware that police resources and information can only be used for policing purposes?
- Can you maintain confidentiality in relation to all information that you will have access to?
- Do you have cause for concern about your own criminal history record?
- Do you realise that the Chief Constable reserves the right to reject any applicant without giving a reason?
If you have any doubt about your answers to any of these questions – you should reconsider your suitability.