Who we are looking for
Being a police officer is less about formal qualifications and all about the skills you already have, skills that get added to every day.
Those skills come from the jobs you do, the community you live in, your friends, family and the expectations and values that you set yourself.
The skills that we will look for during the police officer selection process and develop through our high-quality training programmes will allow you to confidently uphold the law and make a difference to the people, places, and communities of Scotland.
If you are over 18 years old, physically fit, have lived in the United Kingdon for a minimum of three years at the point of application and have a manual driving licence you could already have the skills we need.
Apply now and we will guide you through every stage of the process or, if you have questions, speak with one of our recruitment specialists. Email Recruitmentpoliceofficer@scotland.police.uk
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.
You must be a minimum of 18 years old at the point of application. There is no upper age limit.
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.
You must possess a full, manual driver’s licence at the point of making an application.
Not got your licence yet? You can apply to be a police officer as soon you pass your test.
Please ensure you declare any driving endorsements/penalty points as they will be discovered through your application process.
You do not need any formal qualifications to apply to become a police officer.
Being a police officer is less about formal qualifications and all about the skills you already have, skills that get added to every day.
Those skills come from the jobs you do, the community you live in, your friends, family and the expectations and values that you set yourself.
The skills that we will look for during the police officer selection process and develop through our high-quality training programmes will allow you to confidently uphold the law and make a difference to the people, places, and communities of Scotland.
Your potential and life experiences are more important to us.
Vetting checks are carried out once you have successfully completed the application process.
It’s important to be accurate with all information supplied during the application process as it’s all confirmed at the vetting stage.
Vetting is part of the final stage of the selection process.
You must be physically fit and mentally resilient to undertake police duties. The fitness assessment is based on the Scottish Police Service National Fitness Standard.
You will also be expected to maintain your fitness throughout your career.
To be appointed as a police officer, you are required to undergo a medical examination 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.
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.