Police

There are 39 separate police forces in England, 4 in Wales and a further 8 in Scotland. There are also 3 crown dependency police forces and finally, 9 overseas police forces. 

The Police offer a highly diverse career path from front line Police Officers on the streets, to civilian roles in Finance, Estates and Administration.

The Police Service hires an unlimited number of graduates every year, and provides exceptional training opportunities.

The Police High Potential Development (HPD) scheme provides exceptional opportunities for graduates. It offers a structured career framework, which can lead to the most senior positions in the service. The concept was developed out of the graduate training scheme, and while it is open to applicants with or without a degree, graduate or postgraduate study is an important part of the programme. It offers a focused approach to career advancement, with none of the 'artificial barriers' - such as age, background, and gender that can slow your career trajectory in many industries. You'll be encouraged to fulfil your own personal expectations, and to pursue your own areas of interest, while broadening your career options.

There are no restrictions on application and the current HPD population is diverse. All HPD applicants must successfully complete the police standard recruitment assessment centre prior to their application to the scheme.

As with all jobs, the higher you move up the ladder the more responsibility you have, to the point of very senior officers managing annual budgets from smaller police authorities of around £150 million to the metropolitan police with a budget of £2.8 billion.

Requirements

• Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age for application, 18 years and 6 months for commencement of appointment. There is no upper age limit
• Applicants will not be rejected if they cannot drive, as the skill can be acquired during the probationary period at the applicant's expense.
• Applicants must be able to meet the required standards in written English. An application containing more than ten errors will be rejected.
• Section 82 of the Police Reform Act 2002 removed the bar on the recruitment of foreign nationals as Police Officers. Police Forces must, however, ensure that only eligible candidates are offered appointment as Police Officers. In order for security vetting to be carried out there is, therefore, a requirement that applicants must have resided in the UK for the three years preceding their application.

Progression

Progression up the payscale, in order, is:

• Police Constable
• Sergeant
• Inspector
• Chief Inspector
• Superintendent
• Chief Superintendent
• Assistant Chief Constable
• Deputy Chief Constable
• Chief Constable

Salary

Police officers receive very competitive pay and benefits packages. Rates of pay vary by force, generally starting at an annual rate of around £20,000, and rising with each year of experience.Sergeants starting salary is £32,000.00, with Inspectors rising to     £ 42,000.00.

At the very senior end of the scale salaries in respect of the Chief Constable and their deputy are approx £160,000 and £130,000 respectively.  Postholders will have access to a bonus ceiling of 15% and 12.5% respectively.

Salaries in respect of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner are approx £215,000p.a. and £177,500p.a. respectively.  Each postholder will have access to a bonus ceiling of 15%.