Recruitment process
The police officer application process has several stages and in all cases applications are progressed as quickly through the stages as possible. The length an application (if successful at all stages) takes from commencement to starting on an intake can vary from between five months to nine months (in some cases the duration can be longer).
Once you have applied and met the eligibility criteria you will be sent a link to the Policing Pathways App.
The app, created in Cambridgeshire, supports you through the recruitment process. It provides guidance on the various stages and helps you to prepare.
Other features include:
- Policing stories focusing on real police officers.
- Introductions to the constabulary.
- Support and guidance around fitness.
- Opportunities for career progression.
If you are successful at the application shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview with two senior officers.
Should you be successful following an interview, you will be invited to a College of Policing assessment centre. The police constable assessment centre comprises four elements:
- an interview
- four interactive exercises, such as role play
- two written exercises
- two psychometric tests (verbal and numerical).
If you are successful at the assessment centre and achieve a 50 percent or higher pass mark, you will be required to undertake a fitness test and a medical examination.
Stages
Following online application, you will be sent an email informing you whether or not you have passed the shortlisting stage.
If successful, you will be invited to attend the Police Recruit Assessment Centre. Here you will undergo tests consisting of:
- Situational Judgement Test
- Competency-based Interview
- Written Exercise
- Briefing Exercise
Candidates who achieve the pass mark of 50 per cent or above at the national assessment centre will then proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. Your assessment centre ‘pass’ only remains valid for 24 months from the date of the assessment and this timeframe may only be extended in exceptional circumstances.
You will be invited to attend an interview with two senior police officers. If successful, candidates will undertake the next stage – pre-employment checks.
Pre-employment checks, which include security and financial checks, your current and previous employment references (and/or education/character references) covering a five year period.
The force medical advisor will assess your suitability to be a police officer and you will take a fitness test.
When you have successfully passed all of the pre-employment, fitness and medical checks and development course, you will receive your contract of employment via email for your allocated intake.
Further requirements and information
All new police officers are required to achieve a minimum level of fitness.
Fitness level is tested by measuring cardio vascular efficiency and our requirement is to achieve 5.4 in a bleep test, i.e. to run at level 5 speed for at least four lengths in the test.
You are entitled to three attempts at the fitness test, within 12 months of the assessment centre.
Following this, we require each individual to work towards a fitness level of 7.1 before they complete their probation period.
The medical examination is conducted with an occupational health nurse advisor and a further examination with a force medical advisor. The occupational health nurse will look at:
- your previous medical history
- height and weight
- urine testing
- hearing test
- lung function
- eyesight, including colour blindness – applicants must be able to read the first two lines of an optician’s chart without help.
All police officer and Special constable applicants are required to have samples of their DNA and fingerprints taken during the recruitment process. This is used for crime scene elimination and to check whether applicants have been involved in any previous crimes before they are officially recruited.
The nature of police work requires good eyesight. Your sight will be tested by distance, near sight and colour vision.
If you don’t pass the eye test, you can ask to postpone your application on medical grounds for six weeks if you choose to undergo refractive surgery.
If you have previously had, or are due to have, eye surgery we will require a report from an optician.
If you have dyslexia, you will be required to include a report with your application confirming your condition so we can take it into account during the selection process and ensure you receive the right support during selection, interview and training.
Unsuccessful applications
If you’re unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, you will have to wait six months before you re-apply to any force. You will also have to wait six months from the date of rejection before you can re-apply to Cambridgeshire.
If you have any further queries please contact our recruitment team on [email protected]