The first thing you need to know is that you need to be a minimum of 18 years 6 months old before you can become a Police Officer. So it's not a job you can apply for immediately if you are thinking about leaving school at the end of year 11.
You do not have to have any specific qualifications when you apply to become a Police Officer. However, you will have to pass written tests to show that you have a good standard of English and basic maths.
If you are currently at school and are not sure about which subjects, exam results or further education courses will help you, the best advice is to try and take your studies as far as you can. This lets you keep your options open and will help you if you decide to apply to the police in the future.
If you are currently at school and are not sure about which subjects, exam results or further education courses will help you, the best advice is to try and take your studies as far as you can. This lets you keep your options open and will help you if you decide to apply to the police in the future.
For more advice about qualifications, jobs and careers contact Connexions Norfolk
If you apply to become a Police Officer, you will need to show that you have good
communication skills and can work well with people. Getting involved with your local
community can help with this. If you are not already involved you could join a youth club or a volunteer organisation or may be take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Working anywhere where you deal face to face with customers is also a good way to get valuable experience.
communication skills and can work well with people. Getting involved with your local
community can help with this. If you are not already involved you could join a youth club or a volunteer organisation or may be take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Working anywhere where you deal face to face with customers is also a good way to get valuable experience.
Ideally you should also have passed your
driving test when you apply.
driving test when you apply.
There are some reasons why you may not be able to join the police force which have nothing to do with qualifications or skills. These things are a set of rules known as 'eligibility criteria', they cover things like
• Your eyesight
• Which country you were born in (if not in the UK)
• Which country you were born in (if not in the UK)
• Tattoos
• Criminal convictions
• Criminal convictions
It's a good idea to check the details of these rules because they might mean that you can not become a Police Officer and need to think about another career instead.
The national website is a good source of information about what it means to work as a Police Officer. It includes information about 'eligibility criteria' and lots more.
To find out more about Norfolk Police
Once you get to the point where you are seriously about to apply, it's a good idea to try to speak to people currently in the role of Police Constable, particularly those who have recently joined the force themselves.
Want to know more about the training? Also see Profile of a PC
Once you get to the point where you are seriously about to apply, it's a good idea to try to speak to people currently in the role of Police Constable, particularly those who have recently joined the force themselves.
Want to know more about the training? Also see Profile of a PC