Police officer
Policeman, policewoman, police constable
Police officers keep law and order, investigate crime, and support crime prevention.
Salary range: £21,000 to £41,500
How to become a police officer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could take a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Public Services before applying to the police, although this is not essential.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More information
Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a police constable degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More information
Volunteering and experience
You can get a taste of what it’s like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable.
You could also get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training.
Direct application
You’ll usually apply to one police force at a time. If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre where you’ll:
- have an interview
- take written tests
If you pass the tests at the assessment centre, you’ll then:
- complete a physical fitness test
- have a medical, including an eyesight check
- go though security and background checks
You can prepare for your application by doing the Certificate in Knowledge of Policing.
If you’re unsuccessful at the assessment stage, you may have to wait a minimum of 6 months before you can re-apply.
If you’ve got management experience you could apply for direct entry as an inspector or superintendent.
If you have an upper second class degree, you could apply for the Police Now Graduate Leadership Development Programme.
More information
Career tips
If you’re aged 13 to 18 you could become a police cadet.
Further information
You’ll need to contact your local police force to apply, as each force has its own recruitment rules.
You can find out more about careers in the police from the College of Policing.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- knowledge of public safety and security
- negotiation skills for keeping people safe
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding for dealing with traumatic situations
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- excellent verbal communication skills
- leadership skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
- be over 18 years of age
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- respond to calls for help from the public
- investigate crimes and offences
- interview suspects and make arrests
- give evidence in court
- control traffic and crowds at large public events and gatherings
- advise the public on personal safety and crime prevention
- promote respect for people in relation to their race, diversity and human rights
Working environment
You could work on a patrol or at a police station.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically and emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
You’ll spend 2 years as a student officer before becoming a police constable. You can then decide whether you want to specialise in a particular type of policing, for example:
- criminal investigation department (CID), anti-fraud or road traffic
- drugs or firearms
- counter-terrorism
- air support or underwater search
- dog-handling or mounted policing
With experience, you may be able to apply for promotion to sergeant, inspector or chief inspector.
In the CID you’ll also have the title of detective added to your rank, for example detective sergeant or detective chief inspector.