Police Officers

As part of your basic salary you will receive:

• 22 days' paid holiday
• Automatic enrolment to the pension scheme
• Paid overtime and unsociable hours payment supplements
• Access to retail discounts with the Blue Light card 
• Professional health and wellbeing support from our in-house Occupational Health Unit and access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility to join the Police Federation  who can provide further benefits and free legal advice
• Free membership of the College of Policing 

Through professional training you will learn to:

• Protect the public from violence
• Provide a reassuring presence in the community
• Support victims of crime and offer help to those who have witnessed crimes
• Investigate complex crimes using cutting edge technology and time-proven traditional methods

• A rewarding job where no two days are the same
• You will be constantly challenged and always learning
• You will be valued for your contribution to your community
• Good pay and an excellent benefits package
• Great opportunities for advancement and specialist roles
• For detailed professional profile information about possible progression routes please see the College of Policing Professional Profiles 

Age requirements

Applications can be accepted at the age of 17, providing you will be 18 by the time you are expected to start and have achieved the required qualifications. There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service.  However, a police officer is demanding physically and mentally and you will need to be reasonably fit and in good health. We welcome all ages - a diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve is the best way to be effective. No matter your age, you bring important skills and perspectives that are key tools for being a police officer.

Nationality requirements

You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. As we need minimum five years residential history in the UK to be able to complete background checks, foreign nationals and UK citizens who have lived abroad may have to wait some time for security and vetting clearance.

Criminal record

A number of crimes will mean a definite or likely rejection of your application, including anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence. If you are at all unsure, get in contact and ask.

Tattoos

Tattoos are very common; all tattoos that are reviewed to check appropriateness. Images that are grotesque, violent, have a strong religious or political connection or would undermine the dignity and authority of your role would not be acceptable.

Financial status

Applicants will have their financial status checked.  These checks are carried out because police officers have access to privileged information, which may make them vulnerable to corruption.  Applicants with who have had County Court judgements or may be on a Debt recovery plan will be assessed on a case by case basis. If you have any concerns please ask before applying for more information.

Physical fitness

To ensure you are fit enough for the role, you will undertake a fitness test.   We are looking for no more than the minimum standard needed to enable you to work effectively as a police officer. You will be given help to improve your fitness and if you prepare yourself properly, there is no reason for you to fail.  

You will need to complete officer safety training (OST) every year.  This involves completing and passing handcuffing techniques, the fitness test and personal unarmed and armed combat.  It is your responsibility to keep yourself fit throughout the 12 months.

Health

Police officers encounter stressful situations, trauma, physical confrontation and work long hours on shifts. They need to be resilient enough to cope with the demands and pressures of police work. Applicants must therefore be in good health mentally and physically to undertake police duties.  You will undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet the health standards required.

Eyesight

Applicants will have their eyesight tested at the medical assessment stage. You may be asked to go to an optician to have your eyes tested and the eyesight form filled in. Failure to pass this test will lead to rejection.

Previous applications

You can apply to more than one force at a time if you wish, but it is important that candidates do not attend more than one assessment centre at any one time. 

If you have previously applied to join the police service and been unsuccessful at the SEARCH Assessment Centre, near miss candidates can reapply after three months from your initial rejection.

If you have already been to a SEARCH assessment and have received a successful result, this will be valid for 24 months from the date you attended SEARCH

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

Level 2 Qualifications: GCSE's English and Maths graded 9-4/A*-C or equivalent qualification

If you do not hold these qualifications, you can obtain Level 2 (functional skills) free through a training provider, such as Swindon College or Wiltshire College:

Swindon College Part Time Courses

Wiltshire College Functional Skills - English

Wiltshire College Functional Skills - Maths

and

Level 3 Qualification: minimum of one A Level or equivalent qualification.

Wiltshire Police may, by exception, also accept relevant experience instead of the Level 3 qualification.  In the absence of a Level 3 qualification, applicants will need to evidence ability of working at Level 3, demonstrated through personal, professional or voluntary experience.

All applicants must have  Level 2 GCSE English and Maths or equivalent as detailed above. 

Degree Holder Entry Route (DHEP)

A Level 6 Qualification (Degree) in any subject

A list of qualifications, and the level they relate to, is available on the  GOV.UK website

All applicants will need to provide proof of qualifications.  You can obtain a replacement exam certificate or certified statement of results via the GOV.UK website

How do I contact Wiltshire Police about my application?

All you need to know about the recruitment process is on our website. If you still have questions, please use the Contact Recruitment Online form - top right of this page. We aim to respond within 48 hours.

I will be 18 on the date the Assessment Centres are scheduled. Can I still apply to join Wiltshire Police?

You may apply when you are 17 based on your predicted grades, providing you will be 18 by the time you are expected to start training and have achieved the necessary required qualifications

I have previously applied and failed. Can I apply again?

If you failed at the application form stage of the process, you can reapply.

If you attended a SEARCH assessment centre and failed narrowly, you will need to wait three months from the date of your failure to reapply.

Can I transfer my SEARCH pass mark?

If you have achieved at least 50% at SEARCH within the last 24 months and have not been rejected by any other Police Force within the last six months, you can transfer your SEARCH pass mark.  You will need to provide a copy of your application form and your SEARCH feedback report.

Can I transfer from the Armed Forces?

Individuals currently serving in the Armed Services should contact us via your assigned Job Coach.  You will need to follow one of the three new routes of entry - PCDA, DHEP, Pre-Join Degree - however, we can offer you support through the Armed Forces Covenant.

How fit do I have to be to become a Police Officer?

You must be physically fit and healthy to perform policing duties safely and effectively. You will need to pass a physical fitness test and a full medical examination as part of the recruitment process. 

I have been travelling / living abroad for more than six months. Will this affect my application?

Applicants must have resided in the UK for a minimum of three years prior to applying, and for vetting purposes they must have lived here for three years (for recruitment vetting) and up to five years (for management vetting).  British citizens who have been out of the country for more than six months must, in addition, obtain a letter of good conduct from the country or countries they have resided in.

I have a holiday booked in the coming months. Will this be an issue?

Leave will not be granted during the initial training and tutorship phase unless in extenuating circumstances. Please consider this if you are thinking of booking a holiday.

I am not a British Citizen. Can I still apply?

You need to be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK and free from restrictions.

I have tattoos. Will this stop me becoming a Police Officer?

Not necessarily. Tattoos are not acceptable if they are particularly prominent, garish, offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of the role of a Police Officer.

If you have tattoos that are visible on your arms, neck, face and hands, you will need to make a declaration that you have a tattoo within the eligibility section of the application form. We will ask you to send in two photographs of each tattoo (one distance photograph clearly showing where on the above body area the tattoo is located and a second close-up photograph that we can use to assess this against our standards). Each application will be considered on a case by case basis.

Do I need a driving licence?

You don't have to have a licence to apply to become a Police Officer, but you will need a full UK manual driving licence (not a provisional licence) before you start training. 

I have a motoring offence(s). Can I still apply?

Wiltshire Police will need to assess the motoring offence. However, if you have more than six penalty points on your driving licence, you will not be eligible to apply to join Wiltshire Police as a student officer.

Can I apply if I have financial issues or previous cautions or convictions?

Any financial issues / problems must be declared and will be judged on an individual basis. You must declare all previous cautions, convictions or any involvement with the police.  The circumstances of the offence will be considered carefully.

I have convictions from a long time ago. Will this stop me from applying?

Not necessarily. We will look at applicant circumstances on an individual basis. We understand that how we may have acted in the past is not always a reflection on our character years later.   If you are unsure of your eligibility to apply, please contact our recruitment team directly to discuss in the first instance. 

Do I have to notify changes to my personal circumstances?

Any significant changes in personal circumstances during your application, such as permanent partner, new residents at your home, change of address, arrests, cautions or convictions or association with criminals should be notified to People Services.

If I have already been vetted for another role, do I have to do this again?

Yes you will indeed need to be vetted again as you will now be vetted for the role of PC whereas your current vetting is only valid for the role you are currently doing.

If vetting clearance is refused can I appeal?

If vetting clearance is refused, you will be advised, although specific reasons will not normally be given to protect the confidentiality of others and the security of Wiltshire Police. However, you can request a review, which is carried out by a person independent of the vetting decision marker.

What are the Biometrics used for?

This will be used to eliminate you from any crime scenes when you are appointed as an officer.

I have a medical condition.  Does that stop me joining Wiltshire Police?

It will depend upon the nature of the medical condition.  If you require reasonable adjustments, you will need to provide a full physiological report for the College of Policing to grant reasonable adjustments for SEARCH. This report would normally be from a medical specialist, such as a medical doctor or psychologist with expertise in the area of the impairment.   School reports are not accepted. Please read the College of Policing's guidance on reasonable adjustments

All new officers will also undergo a medical assessment with our Occupational Health Unit which you will need to pass to be eligible to join Wiltshire Police.  

Can I become a Police Officer if I wear glasses or contact lenses?

Click here for our vision standards. 

I'm colour blind.  Can I become a Police Officer?

Yes, people with colour blindness can apply to become a Police Officer; however there is a standard you have to reach as part of the medical assessment if  you are colour blind. You are restricted from certain roles, such as roads policing or firearms. If your colour blindness is monochrome, you are not eligible to apply.

I have a disability. Can I apply to become a Police Officer?

Yes. We welcome applications from people with disabilities as defined by the Equality Act 2010. If you consider yourself to have a disability, please inform us of the type of reasonable adjustments you might need to assist you in participating in the recruitment and selection process. We will try to make the reasonable adjustments required where practicable.

I have epilepsy. Can I still apply?

Yes. We will look at each case on its merits and take guidance from our Occupational Health Unit.

I have diabetes. Can I still apply?

Yes, providing your diabetes is under control. Your doctor will need to supply a medical report for clarification.

I am dyslexic. Can I still apply?

Yes.  However, to allow reasonable adjustments to be made, such as extra time or the use of a computer at SEARCH, you will need to provide us with a full comprehensive professional dyslexia report.

I have a BMI greater than 30. Can I still apply?

Candidates who are successful following the assessment centre and final interview, and have a BMI of 30 or above will be contacted by Occupational Health and asked to provide evidence of their body fat composition; if this does not exceed 25% for male candidates and 35% for female candidates they will be permitted to progress to the medical stage. Those with a body fat percentage of >25% will be deferred until they reach the required level.

Is there a height restriction?

No. There is no minimum or maximum height restriction.

I failed the fitness test. Can I still become a Police Officer?

No. For you to progress to the next stage, you must pass all parts of the fitness test. If you do not pass the test at your first attempt, you will be allowed to retake it after a period of training.    If you fail to pass the test after three attempts, your application will fail and you will not be eligible to reapply for six months.

Where will I be posted?

The Chief Constable reserves the right to post you anywhere in the Wiltshire Police area. Your posting will be decided according to the operational need for Police Officers in each area at the time of your appointment. You will be posted to a hub after initial training and you will be able to ask for three preferential hubs.  They will be taken into account when posting, but ultimately it will be decided on operational needs.

What hours will I work?

Police officers work a 40-hour week. During your probation, you will have a shift pattern designed to allow your necessary protected learning time.  Please see the PCDA and DHEP pages for more information.  A shift pattern may consist of early shifts, late shifts and night shifts, bank holidays and weekend working.  Operational  demands may require your assigned shift / rest day to be cancelled and re-scheduled at short notice.

There are opportunities to volunteer for overtime, particularly when there are major events taking place. On occasion there could be circumstances where you will be asked to work out of county, but you will be given advance notice of this.

How much annual leave will I get?

The annual leave entitlement is 176 hours (22 days) for less than two years' service, rising to 200 hours per year (25 days) for more than two years relevant service. After that, entitlements rise in five-year increments.

My daughter is looking to join the police when she's older.  Do you do information days for teenagers?

If she is aged between 13 and 18 it is worth looking at our Police Cadets scheme which is a useful way to gain experience of the police and the type of work we do.  Police Cadets

Our Youth Engagement Team also offers a 'World of Work' work experience scheme for Year 10 students World of Work