The recruitment process is made up of 8 different stages, all of which you must pass to be invited to your induction event at the Police College. Following this, you will then start your exciting journey of becoming a police constable! Take a look at the short video and click into the different pods to get more information on each of the stages of the recruitment process.
Before you apply, ask yourself... Can you commit?
After we have reviewed your application form, you will be asked to upload evidence to show you meet the Education Eligibility Criteria via an online Evidence Uploader.
Detailed instructions will be provided to guide you through this process after the close of applications.
The online Evidence Uploader will be available from 26th February to 24th March 2020. You must ensure that you submit your evidence within this timeframe as it cannot be accepted after the deadline.
If you have lost your original GCSE (or equivalent) certificates you should contact your examination board NOW, in order to request either replacement certificates, or a final certifying statement of results.
The certification deadline is for this campaign will be 24th March 2020 (for the completion of qualifications).
In exceptional cases, where the qualification has only recently been completed (e.g. during late 2019 / early 2020), but not yet certified, exceptions to the certification date may be considered, providing formal supporting evidence is available.
Below is a screenshot from the Application Form.
With your application form now successfully submitted, you will be invited to complete the online Initial Selection Test (IST). You will receive a unique individual link for you to access the test to the email address you provide in your application form. You will receive this link by 10th March 2020.
The IST is made up of two assessments designed by Deloitte for this recruitment process; a situational judgement test and a verbal reasoning assessment.
You have only ONE OPPORTUNITY to complete the test so we would advise you to wait until you are fully prepared before starting your IST.
You should also be aware that the IST will be re-tested at Assessment Centre.
For access to a detailed briefing on the IST please click here. To have a go at some practice questions then please click here.
Below is a screenshot from the Online Initial Selection Test.
If you pass the Initial Selection Test, you will be given an appointment to attend an Assessment Centre. The Assessment Centre is set in a policing context and requires you to take on the role of a constable. It consists of a number of different exercises, including written exercises and role plays. During the session your competence in ICT will be checked. You will also be asked to complete a re-test of the Initial Selection Test for verification purposes.
The Assessment Centre is designed to assess you against the Competency Values Framework for Policing Professionals* (CVF).
Values:
Competency Clusters / Behaviours:
*Source: College of Policing Ltd.
Contains information licensed under the Non-Commercial College Licence
The Assessment Centres run Monday - Friday and are held in locations in and around Belfast.
For more information on how to prepare for the assessment centre and assessment centre scheduling then please click here.
Please refer to the Guidance for Applicants (1MB) for more information on the CVF. Also please visit the College of Policing's website for further details.
The CVF:
You are required to be vetted as part of the recruitment process.
You will be asked to complete vetting questionnaires, which must be returned within two weeks of receipt. If you fail to adhere to this your application may be discontinued. You can ensure that the process is as smooth as possible by ensuring that you complete the vetting questionnaires and answer all the questions in full.
The success of the vetting process depends largely on your honesty, therefore you are advised to disclose all information as required within your vetting application. Failure to disclose relevant circumstances or information is likely in itself to be regarded as evidence of unreliability and will be taken into account when assessing your suitability.
Vetting is a complex process and involves various checks to be completed. This includes everyone declared on your vetting applications as well as your wider extended family and other close associates. All applications are considered on their own individual merits. Dependent on your personal circumstances your vetting may take longer than others.
All applicants are required to have a three year checkable history, and if you have spent time in the last three years outside the UK or Republic of Ireland you should be aware that you may be required to provide a copy of any criminal record you have received in another country.
If the PSNI cannot carry out the necessary checks your application will not be processed further.
Detailed information regarding Vetting (including examples of the certain types of offences that mean you will not be considered for appointment e.g. motoring offences, drugs offences, cautions, and financial) can be found in the Guidance for Applicants (1MB).
For FAQs regarding vetting, click here.
…in other words, the fitness test!
The PCA is made up of a number of different activities such as running, crawling, climbing, balancing, lifting, carrying, dragging and weaving.
These activities are incorporated into a circuit or obstacle course which needs to be completed three times in 4 minutes and 30 seconds during police recruitment*.
(* In 4 minutes within Police Service of Northern Ireland).
If you do not pass the PCA you will be invited to complete one re-test twelve weeks after your initial PCA. You will also be given the opportunity to attend five PCA Support Sessions prior to completing your PCA re-test.
Want to see how the course is laid out to help you prepare? Click here for a diagram of the obstacle course.
We would advise you to think about starting to prepare for the fitness test now!
This part of the recruitment process might seem like a long way off, but starting training now will set you in a better position to tackle the course on the day.
If you would like some help with training, click here for an example training schedule.
You can also watch the following video to see the PCA in action.
For more information on the PCA please refer to the Guidance for Applicants booklet.
You will be required to undertake and successfully complete approximately 16 hours of eLearning material within a 4 week period. The modules you will cover in the eLearning package include:
You will be required to meet some key medical standards as part of your application to be a police officer. Click on the tabs below for more information.
If you have a hearing loss of more than a total of 84 dB over 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz range, or more than a total of 123 dB over the 3, 4 and 6 kHz range in both ears, you are unlikely to meet the standard.
When one ear is affected or when aids may overcome the difficulty, further assessment by PSNI’s medical team will be required to identify possible adjustments.
You may not meet the medical standard if you are clinically obese.
You may not meet the standard if:
If you have a disability you will be considered individually on your merit. The PSNI Medical team will consult with you and consideration will be given to whether there are reasonable adjustments that can be made to enable you to do the job now and for a reasonable time.
You will have the option to seek an adjustment in the recruitment process when completing the application form.
Substance Misuse Manager - Email: substancemisuse@psni.pnn.police.uk
Please note that the Medical Assessment and Substance Misuse Test are assessed independently, and you must pass both assessments in order to progress!
Once you have successfully progressed through the 8 stages of the recruitment process you’ll receive some exciting news… You’re appointable to PSNI. Well done! Appointable candidates will be invited forward in merit order.
Now it’s on to your induction, and soon, your training. You’re well on your way to achieving your goal of becoming a police constable.
Before you start in the Police College, you will be invited to attend an induction event where you will meet with your training team and representatives from the university who will explain course requirements and support services available to you.
You will receive a tour of the Police College and will be measured for your uniform and other items of police equipment. Information will be provided on a number of topics relevant to your future career as a police officer including Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Personal Security and Human Resources. Importantly, you will be introduced to the standards and ethics which apply to everyone in the PSNI. There will be an opportunity for you to ask any last minute questions you may have. You will also be informed of which Policing District you will be attached to on completion of the Student Officer Training Programme.
After Induction you will be required to undertake and successfully complete the Pre Entry Knowledge Course before commencing the Student Officer Training Programme. This material takes approximately 20 hours and must be completed in order to commence the Programme. You will be given access to this information at your Induction Day. This will provide you with information and context to support your development as a student officer within the Police College.
Training takes place at the Police College, Belfast over a 23 week period. You will participate in the Student Officer Training Programme. This Programme is university accredited and results in the award of an Advanced Diploma in Policing.
Further information on the learning and development journey you will undertake and the academic and pastoral support arrangements available are available within the Guidance for Applicants (see the section entitled 'Your Learning & Development in the Police College'). Also check out our video which introduces you to life as a Student Officer.
On successful completion of the student officer programme, you will be formally attested as a Probationary Constable.