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Am I eligible

Applicants from all backgrounds and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. Applicants are not limited to any particular age group - in fact we welcome those who are looking to acquire and develop new skills. It might be useful to check if you meet all of the basic eligibility criteria below before attending a recruiting seminar or completing an application form.

The minimum age to apply is 18, and there is no upper age limit, although you should bear in mind that the normal retirement age for police constables and sergeants is 60.

Guidelines for applicants

As you might imagine, applicant guidelines are fairly comprehensive, but here are a few of the key ones:

  • there are no minimum or maximum height requirements;
  • there is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests;
  • you  must be either a British Citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with permanent , unrestricted leave to  remain in the UK;
  • Foreign nationals and UK citizens who have lived abroad will have to wait three years for security and vetting clearance. All applicants have to be vetted to the same standard before appointment;
  • 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, please contact us  
  • you must physically and mentally be able to undertake police duties.
  • People with certain occupations are excluded, such as:
    • Armed forces
    • Fire service
    • Security officers
    • Legal profession
    • Politics
    • Private detectives

In short, any occupation in which the powers of a special constable could be used to some advantage, or where there is conflict with professional duties, may mean you are ineligible to join. Please feel free to call us for a full list and explanation if you are unsure.

  • 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 outstanding County Court judgments, who have been registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, will be rejected. If you have discharged bankruptcy debts then you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction with your application.

  • You should not have tattoos which could cause offence. Tattoos are not acceptable if they are particularly prominent, garish, offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of your role

 A more detailed list of eligibility requirements can be found at the http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/specials/eligible.html

Do you qualify?

If you have any specific questions, you can always contact us for more information.