Police Officer Eligibility Requirements
Whilst we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, there are some police officer eligibility conditions that all applicants need to meet. Before you start your application, please ensure you meet our police officer eligibility and entry route requirements.
Check your police officer eligibility
Frequently asked questions about our vetting process
What are the most common mistakes when completing vetting applications and how can these be avoided?
- Missing information – take your time and carefully read through the questions and any available guidance.
- Always be honest – if you’re asking yourself whether you need to declare something on your vetting form, include it.
- If you can’t remember or provide specific details. Include a rationale detailing why.
- Provide your full address history (including any student accommodation).
- Always provide a full list of family members, including half siblings, stepfamily and the full details of a partner or spouse.
- Not including details of boyfriend/girlfriend under the spouse/partner section (we require details of those with whom you are co-residing as partners or those you are married or in a civil partnership with)
- Make sure you provide maiden names, dates of birth and addresses for all the people listed on your vetting forms.
- Declare all previous interactions with the police. All police involvement is recorded on our systems; fail to declare it and your honesty and integrity will come into question.
- Include details of any criminal associates.
It is important that the Force Vetting Unit is made aware of any changes in your personal circumstances both during and after the vetting process. You are responsible for communicating these changes.
You should make the Force Vetting Unit aware of:
- Any change in your personal or financial circumstances (e.g. new spouse/partner, dependent or co-resident, new loans or mortgages etc.)
- Any significant change to your role which might be sufficient to require a different level of vetting.
- Any convictions or cautions for criminal offences or involvement in criminal investigations relating to either yourself or anyone included on your original vetting or application forms.
There are many reasons why an applicant can be refused and where possible the applicant will be told the reasons. However there are a number of situations where they cannot be told because the information held may relate to a family member, criminal associate or may be subject of an exemption from disclosure under the Data Protection Act.
You may appeal a vetting decision where you believe one or more of the following factors apply.
- Further information is available that was not considered by the decision maker
- The vetting rejection was disproportionate considering the circumstances or details of the case
- The decision was perverse or unreasonable
- No explanation was given for the decision
Any appeal must be in writing and must clearly set out the grounds for appeal. Appeals are dealt with by a senior officer or member of staff who is independent of the original decision-making process and has not been previously involved in the case. Applicants should address their appeal to the Force Vetting Unit in the first instance who will pass the appeal, along with any rationale for the decision, to a senior officer or member of staff who will look into the case and respond directly to the applicant.
Each case is treated on its merits and therefore it depends on what information is found during the checks. Sometimes it is necessary to call the applicant to interview so that their personal may be discussed and sometimes it is necessary to make enquiries in other forces or with other bodies. Therefore, we do not give a set time to complete a vetting file but deal with them as quickly as possible.
Police Officer Applications – Register your interest
Applications to become a detective through our Graduate Programme, or a police officer through our degree holder programme and degree apprenticeship are currently closed. However, registration is still open. You can register your interest by clicking the REGISTER button below.
In the meantime you can visit the pages for the different entry routes below to find out more about the application process and how to prepare for the role, entry requirements, and police officer pay & benefits.