Essential criteria
The role of a police officer is extremely challenging. We expect the very highest standards from those who apply to join us.
There are several essential criteria which must be met to pass the first stage of the application process.
We are committed to developing a workforce that is reflective of our communities.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to the recruitment and selection of people with disabilities.
Age
You must be a minimum of 18 years of age to make an application to be a police officer.
There is no upper age limit.
Education
You do not need any formal qualifications to apply to become a police officer. Your life experience is more important to us.
Fitness
You must be physically and mentally able to undertake police duties. The fitness assessment is based on the Scottish Police Service National Fitness Standard.
Find out more about Police Officer Training.
BMI
In order to be appointed as a Police Officer, you are required to undergo a medical examination at preappointment checks towards the end of the selection process. It is an essential criteria of the medical examination that your Body Mass Index (BMI) is within the range of 18 and 30.
You are encouraged to meet the BMI criteria at the point of application and maintain this standard throughout the selection process.
Eyesight
Your eyesight must meet the national eyesight standard. Eyesight will be not be assessed until the medical stage at the very end of the selection process. Failure to meet the standard means you cannot be appointed.
To avoid disappointment, you may wish to consider consulting with a qualified optician before applying and consulting the national eyesight standard document.
Driver’s Licence
You must possess a full driver’s licence (manual) at the point of making an application.
Residency
In order to be eligible, you must be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals who are residents in the UK and free from restrictions are also eligible to apply.
You must also have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years immediately prior to application.
Vetting
Please note: vetting checks are carried out after the Assessment Centre once you have successfully completed the application process. This is part of the final stages of the selection process.