GUIDE TO BECOMING

A POLICE OFFICER
01 | GUIDE TO BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER Search “Hampshire Police careers”
 Being a police officer is one of the most
personally rewarding, challenging and
diverse careers available to you. It’s a
vital role and offers a great sense of
pride from helping and protecting those
within our community.
This guide aims to provide you with all you need to know
about the role, the application process and to answer the more
commonly asked questions we receive.

1. Being a police officer

2. Eligibility

3. Application process

4. Transferring to Hampshire

5. Concerns about applying

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1. BEING A POLICE OFFICER

As a police officer, you will work

across an increasingly diverse
SALARY AND BENEFITS
community and face an ever-
changing criminal landscape. We know that it isn’t all about
the money, and it’s making a
Whether working as a uniformed officer or detective, you’ll difference that motivates our
develop the skills and knowledge to deal with new and people the most. We never
emerging types of crime, such as cybercrime, as well as high- want to lose sight of that, but
harm offences like rape and domestic abuse. we also know that when people
are starting out on a new career,
To be the best we can be, we need to attract the best people.
or moving to a new area of the
It’s a tough but rewarding job and we’ll work hard to ensure
country, it can be difficult. That’s
we give you the genuine support you need to succeed.
why Hampshire has chosen to
Because we know that only a looked-after officer can give
have the highest starting salary
the public the best possible protection.
of any force in the South East,
You could find yourself: with new recruits currently
joining on more than £24,000
• acting on emergency calls plus allowances and benefits. As

• investigating reported crimes you develop your skills, this can

rise to more than £40,000 after
• apprehending, arresting and interviewing suspects
seven years as a police constable.
• collecting evidence at crime scenes And there could be opportunities
for promotion, development and
• dealing with accidents and incidents
specialising on top of that.
• supporting victims and witnesses of domestic abuse

• engaging with children and young people to help change

perceptions of the police

• working with emergency service colleagues from

Ambulance, Fire and Rescue

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 “I grew up in a big city, where I saw a
lot of what I thought was wrong and I
wanted to be the person to stop that and
make a difference.” Samer, Response & Patrol PC

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2. ELIGIBILITY

You will need to be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record;
some minor offences may not exclude you, but you should check with us
if you are concerned. You’ll also need a full UK manual driving licence.
You also need to have lived in the UK for the last three years, and have the right to live and work in the country
indefinitely. There are some exceptions for those serving in the armed forces, members of the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, and those who have taken a career break or gap year to travel or work abroad for up to 12
months.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment or you are placed into a pool of successful candidates to whom we
intend to make a conditional offer when the position arises, you must agree to undergo recruitment screening which
may consist of vetting (including biometrics), medical, references and a job-related fitness test. The criteria include:

• Having 6/36 uncorrected vision or 6/12 corrected in either eye AND 6/6 in both eyes. Laser correction is fine after
six weeks, but severe colour vision deficiencies (monochromat) will prevent you from joining.

• Having a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 29.

• Being able to reach level 5.4 on a 15-metre shuttle run.

Full eligibility criteria will be included at the point we advertise for police officer roles. If you have any questions about
police officer recruitment, please email police.recruitment@hants.gov.uk

In order to truly reflect the communities we serve, we’re particularly keen to recruit those with language skills, people
from black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and other under-represented groups. If you meet this
criteria we can help, supporting you with your application and recruitment. Email us at positive.action@hampshire.
pnn.police.uk

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Different entry routes
1. Police constable degree apprenticeship (PCDA) –
Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
This sees a new officer recruited and entered on to a
three-year degree course. The probation period will be
three years. Those who already have a degree are able to
enter via this route as well, although they will most likely
enter the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) as
detailed below.
All candidates applying for the PCDA entry route must
hold Maths and English GCSE grade C or above/4 or
higher (or an acceptable equivalent Level 2 qualification
in Maths and English) at the point of application.
In addition, to be considered for entry to the PCDA,
applicants should normally hold, and be able to evidence,
a minimum of one A level at grade A* - C (56-32 UCAS
points) in any subject or a level 3 qualification that is of
an equivalent depth and breadth as an A level. (The UCAS
Calculator allows you to enter the qualification to review
if the qualification meets the minimum 32 UCAS Tariff
Points). Please note, AS Levels are not an acceptable
alternative.
Applicants without level 3 qualifications but with
the required Math and English qualifications can be
considered if:
• You have previously served in the military or armed
forces, or similar law enforcement agency, and have
successfully completed the minimum term of service
and have an exemplary reference (previous service
in military or armed forces is a minimum of 2 years
within the last 5 years).
or
• You have previously served in another emergency
service (this includes Special, PCSO or other
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operational roles in another police force) and have
an exemplary reference. (Previous service in an
emergency service is a minimum of 2 years within the
last 5 years and have worked in an operational role.)
or
• You are an internal member of staff who has
completed their probation period.
or
• You have gained a Certificate in Knowledge of
Policing.Constables under this apprenticeship are
employed (as crown servants) from the day they start
and the degree apprenticeship will be fully funded by
the force.
PCDA students will be given time to complete work
required as part of the course. Their probationary period
will include tutoring and attachments to different areas of
policing.
Both the academic requirements and the occupational
competence need to be achieved in order to be
successfully confirmed in rank and remain employed
as a police officer. Officers will achieve a Degree in
Professional Policing Practice.
2. Degree holder entry programme (DHEP)
Applicants for the DHEP should have successfully
completed, and be able to evidence, a minimum of a
Level 6 UK Undergraduate Honours Degree (360 credits)
in any subject, or overseas equivalent as recognised by
UK NARIC.
Applicants with non-UK degrees may need to provide
evidence of an acceptable English language qualification if
their degree was not taught and assessed in English.
3. Pre-join degree in professional policing
This is where members of the public pay for their own
degree in policing.
GUIDE TO BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER | 06
Frequently asked questions
I don’t have a level 2 qualification in English and
Maths, what can I do?

If you are on the Police Constable Degree

Apprenticeship, the requirements of the Education for
Skills and Funding Agency requires all apprenticeships
to have a level 2 in Maths and English. You can obtain
this through a training provider and the Government
will fund functional English and Maths for you. You
need to have achieved this at the point you make your
application.

Do I need a degree to be a police officer?

No, you don’t. Some people think you need one to join
as a police officer, but that isn’t the case. We welcome
degree holders, but if you don’t have one you can
actually earn a degree on the job, saving the cost of
paying for one yourself.

I’m not a British Citizen, can I still apply?

You can as long as you are an EEA national or a

Swiss national. Commonwealth citizens and foreign
nationals are required to have leave to enter or leave
to remain in the UK for an indefinite period and
unrestricted permission to work in the UK.

Can I apply without a driving licence?

You can apply without a driving licence. However

you will need to have a full UK manual driving licence
for us to offer you a start date, so start taking those
lessons!

If I have a disability, can I still apply?

Yes. We welcome applications from people with

disabilities. If you consider yourself to have a
disability, please inform us within your application
form of the type of reasonable adjustments you might
need to assist you in participating in the recruitment
and selection process. We will make these wherever
we can.

Is there a height restriction?

No, there is no minimum or maximum height

restriction.

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3. APPLICATION PROCESS

THE JOININGPATHWAY - POLICE OFFICERS

APPLICATION TO CONDITIONAL OFFER

1 2 3 4

Eligibility Local online

Application
check assessments
College
of Policing
National Online
Assessment
Process

PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

8 7 6 5
National ID &
Job related Police Vetting Employment qualifications
fitness test (including biometrics)
referencing verification

Occupational
Health Screening

FINAL OFFER AND START DATE CONFIRMED

10 11 12

Final offer Set training Candidate

(unconditional) course start can give
date notice

For more details of the national element of the application process (Stage 4, above) please click here.

For details of the technology required for the national online assessment element please click here.

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Vetting – your questions answered
What does vetting mean?
We will carry out security checks on you and your:
• spouse/partner
• father/stepfather/mother’s partner
• mother/stepmother/father’s partner
• brothers/sisters (full/half/step)
• children/children of your partner (only those aged 10
years and over)
• any other adult living at your address
• financial circumstances
• social media accounts
What if I have a relative who has convictions?
If your friends or family members have criminal
convictions, you must disclose this when asked on
your vetting application. Your application will not be
automatically rejected and consideration will be given on
a case-by-case basis.
Can I still apply if I have a criminal record?
Applications will be rejected in all cases where:
• Offences were committed as an adult or juvenile
which resulted in a prison sentence (including
custodial, suspended or deferred sentence and
sentences served at a young offenders’ institution
or community home)
or
• The applicant is a registered sex offender or is
subject to a registration requirement in respect
of any other conviction.
09 | GUIDE TO BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER
For all other convictions or cautions, there is a rebuttable
presumption that they should be rejected. In particular,
the following would result in rejection: offences where
vulnerable people were targeted; offences motivated
by hate or discrimination; domestic abuse offences.
Although the rebuttable presumption is that these should
lead to rejection, there will be cases where this may be
disproportionate in the circumstances. For instance,
where the offence was committed as a juvenile, it was
not serious and the individual has demonstrated a
commitment to help individuals or communities in the
subsequent years.
Do I have to declare if I was arrested but not charged?
Yes. You must declare if you have ever been subject
to a criminal investigation whether or not this led to a
prosecution. Failure to make such declarations will lead
to your application being rejected.
What if I've been bankrupt before?
You can still apply but only if it is three years after
bankruptcy debts have been discharged.
How about County Court Judgments (CCJ)?
If the judgment has been discharged then you can be
considered, however if you have an existing judgment
your application will be unsuccessful.
Can I continue with my other business?
You must declare any other employment for hire or
gain or any other business interests that you intend to
maintain. A decision on whether it is considered that
your business interests are compatible with performing
the role of police officer will be made on the basis of the
information you provide during application.
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 “You learn every single day
about different cultures,
backgrounds and people.”
Aleks, Police Community Support Officer

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4. TRANSFERRING
TO HAMPSHIRE

We welcome transferees who

share our values and have
the skills to serve our local
communities.
In order to transfer to us, you will need to:

“We welcome talent from • be a serving police officer in a Home

across the policing family.

Office force and have completed the
two-year probationary period and the

If you share our values, Policing Diploma or your force’s equivalent

qualification at the point of application to
why not get in touch to pass the necessary vetting and occupational

discuss the opportunities health checks

that we now have.” • pass the basic fitness test, which includes a
shuttle run (bleep test) to level 5.4 or above
Olivia, Chief Constable
• have no outstanding disciplinary or integrity
issues

• be able to show commitment to achieving

high levels of attendance, judged against
absence records for three years

• have resided in the UK for three years

immediately prior to submitting your
application

• not be a member of the British National

Party (BNP) or similar organisation

• declare any business interest

• hold a full manual driving licence

To apply to our transferee scheme, please visit

our website and search “Transferee”.

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5. CONCERNS
ABOUT APPLYING

You’d like to apply but something’s also rewarding. Better still, doing one of these for a few
years can help you get the skills you need to become an
holding you back… officer.

Application process
Other people’s perceptions
We appreciate that the application process is lengthy.
Policing faces both positive and negative perceptions.
However, it’s this rigorous approach which ensures we
As a force, we subscribe to the highest ethics and
select people who will make great police officers.
request our people to do the same. The majority of
our officers and staff demonstrate the highest levels of
Diversity
professionalism, integrity and standards. By joining us,
We are committed to promoting equality and respect
we will expect you to also demonstrate these values and
for diversity in the way we serve Hampshire in
help us improve confidence in policing generally.
delivering policing and also as an employer. We welcome
applications from everyone in the community, particularly Potential danger
people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and
With policing, you cannot predict what you will respond
white other backgrounds. We also encourage applications
to and sometimes this does mean putting people into
from the LGBT community and people with disabilities.
challenging situations. However, through our in-depth
training and ongoing support you will be well prepared
Fitness
to deal with whatever you are faced with. You’re also not
While we don’t expect you to be a professional athlete,
alone – we are a team and will always have each other’s
we do require a reasonable level of fitness to become a
backs.
police officer. You will need to complete the fitness test
as part of your application, again as part of your initial Working hours
training and on an annual basis once as an officer. We test
The normal working week is 40 hours in shifts that cover
endurance through a fitness shuttle commonly known as
24/7 on a rotational pattern. This does include evenings,
the bleep test. A good indicator of the fitness level needed
weekends and bank holidays. All shifts are available in
for this test is to be able to run at a good pace for around
advance meaning you will always know when you will
four minutes over a distance of about 700 metres. The
be working and we always try to accommodate staff
required pass level is 5.4, which means completion of five
requests, as long as they fit in with operational demands.
levels and four shuttles.
We also recognise the benefits of flexible working and are
committed to equality of opportunity and the promotion
Lacking experience
of work-life balance.
All too often people don’t realise they’ve got the skills
that we’re looking for, so please don’t be put off applying
by any of those preconceptions. If you don’t currently
meet the eligibility criteria for becoming a police officer,
there are lots of different roles within policing that are

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NOTES

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We look for all kinds
of skills, because it
takes all kinds of
people to protect
the public.

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 If you have any other questions, or would like to know more
about the role and/or Hampshire Police, please contact the
recruitment team on police.recruitment@hants.gov.uk
who will be happy to arrange a conversation with you.

IF YOU ARE APPLYING

FOR A ROLE, GOOD LUCK!
WE LOOK FORWARD
TO RECEIVING YOUR
APPLICATION