Eligibility requirements
If you’re interested in a career as a Police Constable, it’s
important to really think about it and consider whether you’re
ready for the job. Because, make no mistake: these are challenging
roles. For the right people, however, they are also hugely
rewarding.
There are certain requirements that everyone needs in order to
join us:
1. General requirements
Age
You must be at least 18 years old to be appointed as a
Constable. We will accept an application when you are aged 17
years and 10 months.
Eyesight
It’s really important to have good eyesight. You’ll need unaided
vision of 6/36 in both eyes, correctable to 6/12 and 6/6 or better
binocularly. But you don’t need to send a certificate of eyesight
to us when you apply, we’ll request it at a later stage in the
process.
General health
You’ll need to be in good general health. As part of the
recruitment process we will ask you to complete a confidential
health questionnaire, which will be received by our Occupational
Health Service Providers.
The Disability Discrimination Act now applies to Police Officers
and as such all actions taken will comply with the requirements of
this legislation.
Police forces no longer apply a minimum height requirement.
2. Additional requirements
Driving licence
You’ll need a full, clean driving licence for motor cars.
Standard Entrance Test
If you are successful at our initial screening stage, we’ll ask
you to take part in a Standard Entrance Test (SET). Everyone is
required to undertake this test, regardless of qualifications.
Critical Thinking Test (CTT)
The Critical Thinking Test contains written, illustrated
police-based scenarios, but it is not a test of prior police
knowledge.
Accelerated Career Development Programme
This is a highly selective scheme that we run to accelerate the
careers of Constables who show particular potential. To find out
more click here.
3. Work experience
You don’t need any particular work experience to join us. But we
will be looking for people who have the right skills and expertise
to be a real success here. You may have held roles in the past that
will be particularly useful.
4. Aptitudes
There are certain key skills that are essential for this job.
We’ll be looking for these throughout the assessment process.
Communication
As well as being able to get information across to a diverse
range of people, you’ll need to be able to listen and
understand.
Problem solving
It’s important that you can quickly pick up on key information,
assess situations, and make good decisions based on your
knowledge.
Customer relations
You’ll need to build up relationships with people, and to be
able to see things from their point of view.
Team work
It’s crucial that you work well with others, and that you’re
able to build up a high level of trust with your colleagues.
5. Motivation
We invest heavily in your training and development throughout
your career. In return, you need to want to learn and to be ready
to commit to your future with us. Training begins with an 18-week
introductory course, which includes one week at our Headquarters in
Inverness, followed by 15 weeks at the Scottish Police College in
Kincardine, and a further two weeks at Headquarters. And it doesn’t
end there; training and intensive courses will continue throughout
your two year probation.
6. Transfer and deployment
The Chief Constable is required to deploy officers to all police
stations in the Force area and reserves the right to do so.
On appointment, all officers accept, as a condition of service,
that they will be required to serve at any location throughout the
Force area. Officers are encouraged to consider the expectations
and needs of the Force as well as accepting responsibility for
their own career path in conjunction with our policy.
7. Person spec
Please click here to download
the person specification.