Police officers work to maintain law and order, protect the public, and prevent crime in communities across the United Kingdom. Their duties include patrolling neighbourhoods, responding to emergency calls, investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and making arrests. Police officers also engage with local communities to build trust and provide support. Shifts can include nights, weekends, and public holidays, as policing is a 24/7 service. The role requires strong communication skills, resilience, and the ability to handle challenging situations. Training is provided through police academies and ongoing professional development, making it a structured and rewarding career for those interested in public service and helping others.
The starting salary for a police constable in England and Wales is approximately £28,551 per year, rising with experience and rank.
As of 2023, there are over 150,000 police officers and staff working across the United Kingdom.
The Home Office has committed to recruiting an additional 20,000 police officers in England and Wales by 2023 as part of the Police Uplift Programme.
Works with specially trained police dogs to help with search, detection, and crowd control tasks.
Focuses on enforcing road safety laws, managing traffic incidents, and investigating road traffic collisions.
Engages with local communities to help prevent crime and provide support, acting as a visible and approachable presence.
Ensure you meet the minimum age, residency, and educational requirements to apply as a police officer.
In the UK, you usually need to be at least 18 years old and have lived in the UK for a certain period. Most forces require GCSEs at grade 4 or above in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications. Some may require A-levels or relevant work experience.
Work on communication, problem-solving and resilience skills, as these are essential for police work.
Consider volunteering in your community, joining groups like the Army Cadets, Police Cadets, or Scouts, or taking part-time jobs that involve teamwork and interacting with the public. These experiences will strengthen your application.
Decide on the route you wish to take: Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, Degree-holder Entry Programme, or pre-join degree in policing.
The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) lets you earn and learn on the job for three years. If you already have a degree, the Degree-holder Entry Programme is a two-year training route. You can also study for a pre-join policing degree at university and then apply to join the police.
Submit your application to your chosen police force and prepare for the recruitment process.
The application process typically includes online assessments, interviews, fitness tests, and background checks. Research your chosen force's requirements and prepare thoroughly for each stage. You may be asked about your motivation and understanding of the role.
Begin your training programme, combining classroom learning with on-the-job experience.
Initial training covers law, policing skills, safeguarding, and community engagement. You will spend time in both the classroom and on placement with experienced officers. Ongoing assessment ensures you are ready for independent patrol.
Build experience and consider specialising in areas such as investigation, community liaison, or armed response.
After your probationary period, opportunities open up to move into specialist roles or seek promotion. Continuous professional development is encouraged, with options to take courses and achieve further qualifications.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Police Officer. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
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These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
Both police officers and army officers require leadership skills, discipline, and the ability to respond effectively to emergencies. They also undergo rigorous training and are responsible for maintaining safety, security, and order within their respective environments.
You could get into this job through:
You can do a degree course before you apply for officer training although it's not essential.
Most subjects are acceptable.
You can also apply for an army officer internship before, during or after university. This gives you the chance to learn about the officer role and whether it's something you want to do.
You'll usually need:
You could work towards becoming an officer by doing a college course, for example in public services or A levels. You would then apply to the army for officer training.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could start your army career by doing an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
You would apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you.
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
You can join the Army Reserve as a part-time officer to get some experience of what life is like in the regular army. You'll also learn new skills at the same time.
You'll need to:
If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Army Cadet Force.
You can apply directly for officer training.
You'll need to:
You'll also usually need a minimum of:
You'll be invited to talk to someone at your local army careers centre about the opportunities available. You'll then attend a 2-part assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.
If you're accepted, you'll move onto formal officer training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Surrey.
You'll find more information about becoming an army officer from Army Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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